Interviews

AAU
00:02:17
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ABA and NBA
00:02:06
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Getting Drafted
00:01:38
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Going Pro
00:04:57
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Influences
00:06:53
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Influential Coaches
00:04:10
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Injuries
00:03:42
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No Excuses
00:01:49
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P.R.I.D.E
00:08:25
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Player’s Salaries
00:05:44
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Players
00:04:13
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Respect
00:03:21
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Women’s Basketball
00:01:13
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Bob Lanier

During his 14-year NBA career with the Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks, Bob Lanier was the model of consistency. His sweeping left-hand hook and dominating inside play made him one of the most feared big men of his era. Opposing centers had to keep a watchful eye on Lanier because he had an equally imposing outside game. His sweet shooting touch from the perimeter placed him in a rarified class of being a true inside/outside force. He proved this as an eight-time All-Star and MVP of the 1974 game. Lanier's career numbers —19,248 points (20.1 ppg) and 9,698 rebounds (10.1 rpg) — still rank among the top 20 in NBA records. Lanier was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992.

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Lanier began his professional career in auspicious fashion-he was the number one choice of the Detroit Pistons in the 1970 draft and was later named to the NBA's All-Rookie team. Lanier graduated from St. Bonaventure, near his native Buffalo, NY. He holds St. Bonaventure records for scoring (27.6 ppg) and rebounding (15.7 rpg) and was a three-time All-America. Lanier’s high school, collegiate and professional jerseys have all been retired. In 1989, Lanier had served as the National Chairman of the NBA's "Stay In School" program. In 1978, he was selected by the basketball press as recipient of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award. In 1981, the YMCA presented Lanier with the Jackie Robinson Award for service to youth, good citizenship and leadership. Lanier's diplomacy both on and off the court led him to the presidency of the NBA Players Association. Lanier became an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors prior to the 1994-95 season, and assumed head coaching duties during the season.