| 04 October 2011
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MAURICE LUCAS Position: Power Forward/Center Height: 6' 9" Weight: 215 lbs. Jersey Number: 20 College: Marquette University Seasons with Lakers: 1985-86 Averages as a Laker: 46.2% FG / 50% 3Pts. / 78.3% FTs / 10.2 PPG / 7.4 RPG / 1.1 AST / .6 STL / .3 BLK / 1.6 TO / 3.3 PF / 22.7 MPG |
The 33-year old Lucas was best known as "The Enforcer" for the Portland Trailblazers as part of a tandem with longtime friend, Bill Walton (who named Luke after him), from 1976-78. He got the nickname because of his intimidating strength and repertoire as a rebounder, scorer and defender. He would also often get into a tussle on the court defending his teammates and would get into the skin of opposing players just to divert attention away from an important member of the team.
General manager Jerry West had hoped the acquisition of Lucas will be enough to help the Lakers defend their title, but unfortunately, Lucas' age and over-the-hill production hurt the team late in the playoffs. The Lakers failed to return to the Finals during the 1986 Playoffs after getting eliminated by the Hakeem Olajuwon/Ralph Sampson-led Houston Rockets in 5 games in the Western Conference Finals.
Lucas was waived by the Lakers on Sept. 26, 1986 and was picked up by the Seattle Supersonics 4 days later. He retired from the NBA in 1988 after returning to Portland for his final season.
In his 14 years as a professional basketball player, Maurice started in the ABA playing for St. Louis and Kentucky before entering the NBA with the Trailblazer in 1976. He also played for the New Jersey Nets (1979-81) and the New York Knicks (1981-82).
Seventeen years after retiring, Lucas became an assistant coach to Trailblazer head coach Nate McMillan in 2005. He died on Oct. 31, 2010 at his home in Portland after an 18-month battle with bladder cancer. Lucas was 58 years-old.
Here's a rare video of Maurice Lucas as a Laker against the Utah Jazz on Dec. 4, 1985. Thanks nonzealotplayer4!
