OT - NBA legend passes on

[Mark Padgett]

Maurice "The Enforcer" Lucas passed away yesterday after a battle with cancer. I knew Maurice mostly through knowing his two sons. His oldest, Maurice II (called "Reece") went to HS with my son and they played rec ball together. His younger son, David, runs a highly regarded basketball camp program at a local YMCA. I reffed both of them many times when they were younger.

One incident that sticks in my mind was when Reece was playing in a 6th grade game. A player on the other team was going to shoot two free throws and Reece was along the FT lane on the bottom spot. The shot missed. Reece jumped up for the rebound, grabbed the ball, came down and swung his elbows while letting out a loud yell. He then looked around and realized the shooter had one more shot. Maurice was in the stands and yelled, "Reece, get your head in the game." There was a slight pause and then he said, "Nice board, though."

Here's a column from the local Portland newspaper.

Canzano: Maurice Lucas will be missed, but his legacy will endure | OregonLive.com