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Warriors Great Nate Thurmond, Hall of Fame Center, Dies At 74

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- Nate Thurmond, voted one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history and a member of the Warriors organization for more than four decades as both a player and a community relations ambassador, died Saturday morning in San Francisco after a short battle with leukemia.

He was 74 years old.

Nate Thurmond, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Warriors vs  Bucks
Golden State Warriors Nate Thurmond (42) in action vs Milwaukee Bucks Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (33) at The Arena in Oakland in April, 1973. (George Long via Getty Images)

The Warriors announced the death of one of the team's most iconic players less than a month after they lost the NBA finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games. Both franchises previously retired the Akron, Ohio native's No. 42 and he is a revered figure in both cities.

Thurmond played 11 of his 14 seasons with the Warriors and retired after the 1976-1977 season, one year after leading the "Miracle" Cavaliers to an improbable trip to the NBA finals.

"Nate represented this franchise with class, dignity and humility as both a player and community relations ambassador for over 40 years. Without a doubt, he is one of the most beloved figures ever to wear a Warriors uniform," Golden State owner Joe Lacob said.

Current Cavalier and Akron native LeBron James said on Twitter: "Knowing u played in the same rec league as me growing up gave me hope of making it out! Thanks!"

The 6-foot, 11-inch Thurmond was voted as one of the best 50 players in NBA history and is considered among the most-dominating centers in the game.

"Nate Thurmond was a giant of his era and one of the greatest players in the history of our game," NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.

Thurmond's play and numbers weren't flashy, but he earned the respect of his peers and knowledgeable basketball fans for his consistency, defense and strength.

Nate Thurmond
Al Attles (left) and Nate Thurmond. (File photo / Getty Images)

"Looking back, he was as ferocious as any player in the history of the game on the court, but one of the kindest and nicest souls in his everyday life," said former teammate Al Attles.

He recorded the first official quadruple double in NBA history as a Chicago Bull when he had 22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists and 12 blocked shots against the Atlanta Hawks in 1974. He is one of only four players to grab more than 40 rebounds in a game.

The Warriors drafted Thurmond with the third overall pick in the 1963 draft after he graduated from Bowling Green State near Toledo.

Thurmond apprenticed under Hall of Fame center Wilt Chamberlain until the Warriors traded Chamberlain to the Philadelphia 76ers in the middle of the 1964-65 season. Thurmond went on to average 15 points and 15 rebounds a game during his career and still holds the Warriors franchise records for career rebounds and minute played.

The Warriors traded Thurmond to the Bulls prior to the 1974-75 season. The Bulls traded him after 13 games the next season to his hometown Cavaliers, where he closed out his career in style.

He played a key role in the Cavaliers' run to the championship his first year in Cleveland. The Cavaliers beat the Washington Bullets in dramatic fashion in seven games to get to the Eastern Conference finals. The Cavaliers lost to the Boston Celtics in six games in the finals, but Thurmond's leadership that season made him a local legend.

Cavaliers teammate Campy Russell said Saturday that "the Cavaliers franchise will always love and respect him as a true Cavalier legend."

Though he played less than two seasons for the Cavaliers at the end of his career, his jersey number was the first retired by the team.

After the seven-time All-Star selection retired, he worked for the Warriors as a community liaison and broadcast analyst until his illness sidelined him earlier this year. Thurmond also opened a popular barbecue restaurant in San Francisco called Big Nate's BBQ, which he sold in 2011.

Several members of the Warriors organization spoke Saturday about Thurmond in a team release:

Rick Barry former Warriors player and Hall of Famer:

"Nate was one of the greatest centers to ever play the game and I was privileged to call him a teammate and dear friend. He battled his illness until the very end, like a true Warrior. His legacy is one of passion, fierce competitiveness, a love of basketball and selfless devotion to others. My heartfelt prayers go out to his family, friends and fans."

***

Al Attles former Warriors player, coach, general manager and current community relations ambassador:

"Although I had prepared for this news for the past several days, I was heartbroken and devastated when I was informed of Nate's death earlier today. In typical Nate fashion, he did not let many people know about his illness and how serious it was and, unfortunately, it proved to be one of the few things in life tougher than him. Looking back, he was as ferocious as any player in the history of the game on the court, but one of the kindest and nicest souls in his everyday life. He was just a terrific human being who I loved and respected more than words can describe and, fortunately, I was blessed to spend a great deal of time with as a teammate, coach and, most importantly, a friend for a good portion of our adult lives. For that, I am extremely thankful."

***

Jerry West, Hall of Famer and Warriors executive board member:

"This is an extremely difficult day for me. We have lost an incredible person and someone whom I admired as much as any player I ever went to battle against on any level. Nate Thurmond was, without a doubt, one of the fiercest competitors that I played against during my entire career. He played with unbelievable intensity and was simply a man among boys on most nights, especially on the defensive end. On the other hand, off the court, Nate was about as caring and loving as they come, extremely kind and gentle. He was the total package as an athlete and as a man and someone we should all aspire to emulate. I'll miss him dearly."

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Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner:

"Nate Thurmond was a giant of his era and one of the greatest players in the history of our game. A fierce competitor with an incredible array of skills, Nate had a remarkable Hall of Fame career that included the first quadruple-double in NBA history. Nate brought the same passion to his longtime community-relations role with the Golden State Warriors, who benefited from his deep knowledge of the game and warmth and kindness to everyone he encountered for more than 30 years. We are deeply saddened by his loss."

TM and © Copyright 2016 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2016 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report

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