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Nate Thurmond

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Nate Thurmond
Thurmond with the Warriors in 1969
Personal information
Born(1941-07-25)July 25, 1941
Akron, Ohio,U.S.
DiedJuly 16, 2016(2016-07-16)(aged 74)
San Francisco, California,U.S.
Listed height6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight225 lb (102 kg)
Career information
High schoolCentral(Akron, Ohio)
CollegeBowling Green(1960–1963)
NBA draft1963:1st round, 3rd overall pick
Selected by theSan Francisco Warriors
Playing career1963–1977
PositionCenter/power forward
Number42
Career history
1963–1974San Francisco / Golden State Warriors
1974–1975Chicago Bulls
1975–1977Cleveland Cavaliers
Career highlights and awards
Career statistics
Points14,437 (15.0 ppg)
Rebounds14,464 (15.0 rpg)
Assists2,575 (2.7 apg)
StatsEdit this at Wikidataat NBA.com
StatsEdit this at Wikidataat Basketball-Reference.com
Basketball Hall of Fame as player
College Basketball Hall of Fame
Inducted in 2006

Nathaniel Thurmond(July 25, 1941 – July 16, 2016) was an Americanbasketballplayer who spent the majority of his 14-year career in theNational Basketball Association(NBA) with theGolden State Warriorsfranchise. He played thecenterandpower forwardpositions.[1]Thurmond was a seven-timeAll-Starand the first player in NBA history to record an officialquadruple-double.In 1965, he grabbed 42 rebounds in a game; onlyWilt ChamberlainandBill Russellrecorded more rebounds in an NBA game. Thurmond was named a member of theNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famein 1985, one of the50 Greatest Players in NBA History,[2]and part of theNBA 75th Anniversary Teamin 2021.[3]

Known to fans as "Nate the Great",[4]Thurmond has had his No. 42 jersey retired by both the Golden State Warriors and theCleveland Cavaliers.[5]

High school and college career

[edit]
Thurmond grabbing a rebound while at Bowling Green

Thurmond started at Akron'sCentral High School,where he played alongside fellow future NBA starGus Johnson.[6]Passing up a scholarship offer fromOhio Stateto avoid becoming a backup toJerry Lucas,a high school rival, Thurmond chose to play college basketball atBowling Green.[7]

Thurmond led theMid-American Conferencein rebounds during all three of his varsity seasons (with a college career average of 17.0 rebounds per game),[7]and was named a first-team All-American byThe Sporting Newsin 1963.[8]In Thurmond's last two years with Bowling Green, he helped lead the team into the NCAA Tournament and he set a school record with 31 rebounds in his final college game.[7]

NBA career

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San Francisco/Golden State Warriors

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Thurmond was drafted 3rd overall by the San Francisco Warriors (now known as theGolden State Warriors) in the1963 NBA draft.As a rookie, he mainly played a supporting role alongside Hall of Fame centerWilt Chamberlain.Thurmond averaged 7 points and 10.4 rebounds in his first NBA season and was named to theNBA All-Rookie Teamin 1964.[6]

After Chamberlain was traded to thePhiladelphia 76ersduring the next season, Thurmond blossomed into a highly productive starting center for the Warriors. Among his many accomplishments Thurmond set a regular-season record for rebounds in a quarter with 18,[6]and averaged21.3 and 22.0 rebounds per gamein the1966–67and1967–68seasons.[4]Thurmond placed second to Chamberlain in theMVPballoting in the 1966–67 season,[9]averaged over 20 points per game each season from1967–68through1971–72,and played in sevenNBA All-Star Gamesas a member of the Warriors.[4]

Thurmond also gained a fearsome defensive reputation in the NBA.Kareem Abdul-Jabbarcalled Thurmond the toughest defender he ever faced during his 20-season professional career.[10]NBA All-Star centerBob Rulerecalled Thurmond blocking six of his seven shots during the first half of their first encounter. After his coach urged him to "Keep putting 'em up. He can't block 'em all", Rule responded "Yeah, well if I hadn't made that layup it would have been all of 'em."[11]

In spite of the contributions of star teammates likeRick Barryand Thurmond's stalwart play at center, the Warriors were unable to win a championship. They reached the1967 NBA Finals,but lost to Chamberlain's 76ers.[6]

Chicago Bulls

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A 33-year-old Thurmond was acquired by theChicago Bullsin exchange forClifford Rayand $100,000 prior to the1974–75 seasonon September 3, 1974. The Bulls had felt a need for one starting center rather than continue with a three-man rotation of Ray,Tom BoerwinkleandDennis Awtrey.The Warriors added more fiscal stability when completing the deal.[12]On October 18, 1974, against theAtlanta Hawks,in his debut as a Bull, he recorded 22points,14 rebounds, 13assistsand 12blocked shots,becoming the first player in NBA history to officially record aquadruple-double[6](blocked shots were not counted before1973–74).[13]

Cleveland Cavaliers

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Thirteen games into the1975–76 season,Thurmond was traded along withRowland Garrettto theCleveland CavaliersforSteve PattersonandEric Fernstenon November 27, 1975. Thurmond's mobility on the court failed to mesh with an offense built for a more stationary center, resulting in diminished playing time on a team enduring a nine-game losing streak at the time of the deal.[14]In Cleveland, the now 35-year-old Thurmond came off the bench for the injuredJim Chonesto lead Cleveland's "Miracle at Richfield"team to theNBA Eastern Conference finalsbefore the Cavaliers lost to theBoston Celticsin 1976.[10]

A role player reduced to limited minutes and mid-single digit scoring and rebounds, Thurmond retired at the end of the 1976–77 season.

Personal life

[edit]
Thurmond at the Golden State Warriors Victory Parade on June 19, 2015

After retirement, Thurmond returned toSan Franciscoand opened a restaurant, Big Nate's BBQ.[15]He sold the restaurant after 20 years, while living in San Francisco with his wife, Marci. As of 2019, theChase Center,home venue for theGolden State Warriors,features a Big Nate's BBQ kiosk with dishes that pay homage to his career.[16]

He was given the title "Warriors Legend & Ambassador" by the Warriors organization.[17]

Thurmond died on July 16, 2016, nine days away from his 75th birthday, after a short battle withleukemia.[18]During the 2016–17 season, the Warriors paid homage to Thurmond by patching his number to their jerseys.

Statistical accomplishments

[edit]

First player in NBA history to record aquadruple-doublein a game:[2]Chicago Bulls (120) vs. Atlanta Hawks (115),October 18, 1974(OT)[13]

One of five players in NBA history to average at least 15 rebounds per game for his career:15.0[19](14,464/964)[4]

One of five players in NBA history to average at least 20 rebounds per game during a season:21.3 (1966–67), 22.0 (1967–68)[4]

One of four players in NBA history to record 40 or more rebounds in a game:42, vs. Detroit Pistons,November 9, 1965[21]

NBA regular season record for rebounds in a quarter:18, at Baltimore Bullets,February 28, 1965[6]

NBA career statistics

[edit]
Legend
GP Games played GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
FG% Field goalpercentage 3P% 3-point field goalpercentage FT% Free throwpercentage
RPG Reboundsper game APG Assistsper game SPG Stealsper game
BPG Blocksper game PPG Points per game Bold Career high

Regular season

[edit]
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1963–64 San Francisco 76 — 25.9 .395 — .549 10.4 1.1 — — 7.0
1964–65 San Francisco 77 — 41.2 .419 — .658 18.1 2.0 — — 16.5
1965–66 San Francisco 73 — 39.6 .406 — .654 18.0 1.5 — — 16.3
1966–67 San Francisco 65 — 42.5 .437 — .629 21.3 2.6 — — 18.7
1967–68 San Francisco 51 — 43.6 .411 — .644 22.0 4.2 — — 20.5
1968–69 San Francisco 71 — 45.2 .410 — .615 19.7 3.6 — — 21.5
1969–70 San Francisco 43 — 44.6 .414 — .754 17.7 3.5 — — 21.9
1970–71 San Francisco 82 — 40.9 .445 — .730 13.8 3.1 — — 20.0
1971–72 Golden State 78 — 43.1 .432 — .743 16.1 2.9 — — 21.4
1972–73 Golden State 79 — 43.3 .446 — .718 17.1 3.5 — — 17.1
1973–74 Golden State 62 — 39.7 .444 — .666 14.2 2.7 .7 2.9 13.0
1974–75 Chicago 80 — 34.5 .364 — .589 11.3 4.1 .6 2.4 7.9
1975–76 Chicago 13 — 20.0 .444 — .444 5.5 2.0 .3 .9 3.7
1975–76 Cleveland 65 — 17.4 .418 — .514 5.3 1.0 .3 1.3 4.6
1976–77 Cleveland 49 — 20.3 .407 — .642 7.6 1.7 .3 1.7 5.5
Career 964 — 37.2 .421 — .667 15.0 2.7 .5 2.1 15.0
All-Star 5 2 20.8 .326 — .375 8.8 .4 .0 .0 6.2

Playoffs

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Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
1964 San Francisco 12 — 34.2 .438 — .679 12.3 .8 — — 10.0
1967 San Francisco 15 — 46.0 .433 — .571 23.1 3.1 — — 15.9
1969 San Francisco 6 — 43.8 .392 — .588 19.5 4.7 — — 16.7
1971 San Francisco 5 — 38.4 .371 — .800 10.2 3.0 — — 17.6
1972 Golden State 5 — 46.0 .434 — .750 17.8 5.2 — — 25.4
1973 Golden State 11 — 41.8 .398 — .800 13.2 3.6 — — 14.5
1975 Chicago 13 — 19.5 .368 — .486 6.7 2.4 .4 1.6 3.5
1976 Cleveland 13 — 28.8 .468 — .406 9.0 2.2 .5 2.2 6.7
1977 Cleveland 1 — 1.0 — — — 1.0 .0 .0 1.0 .0
Career 81 — 35.5 .416 — .621 13.6 2.8 .4 1.9 11.9

See also

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References

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  1. ^Brown, Daniel (July 16, 2016)."Nate Thurmond dead at 74; Warriors legend battled leukemia".San Jose Mercury News.RetrievedJuly 16,2016.
  2. ^ab"In era of great centers, Nate Thurmond was among the best".ESPN.July 16, 2016.RetrievedJuly 16,2016.
  3. ^nba.com/75
  4. ^abcde"Nate Thurmond NBA Stats".Basketball-Reference.com.Archived fromthe originalon July 16, 2010.RetrievedJanuary 5,2008.
  5. ^"NBA legend Nate Thurmond dies at 74".FoxNews.com.July 16, 2016.RetrievedJuly 16,2016.
  6. ^abcdef"Nate Thurmond Bio".NBA.com.RetrievedMarch 3,2013.
  7. ^abcMusselman, Ron (March 13, 2005)."Nate the Great: Thurmond was BG's best and among elite in NBA".Toledo Blade.RetrievedJuly 17,2016.
  8. ^"Nate Thurmond, Bowling Green".Mid-American Conference.RetrievedJuly 17,2016.
  9. ^"1966-67 NBA Awards Voting".basketball-reference.com.RetrievedJuly 17,2016.
  10. ^abLivingston, Bill (July 16, 2016),"Nate Thurmond, defensive star of Miracle of Richfield Cavaliers, dies",The Plain Dealer,cleveland.com,archivedfrom the original on April 27, 2023
  11. ^"With RCC honor, Rule revisits memory lane".Press-Enterprise.October 19, 2011. Archived fromthe originalon September 26, 2021.
  12. ^"Chicago Acquires Nate Thurmond; For Clifford Ray and Cash".Schenectady Gazette.September 4, 1974.Archivedfrom the original on May 19, 2024.RetrievedJuly 18,2016– via Google News.
  13. ^abcdeGranderson, LZ (March 11, 2009)."Will the NBA ever produce another quadruple-double?".ESPN Page 2.RetrievedJuly 17,2016.
  14. ^Logan, Bob. "Nate goes to Cavs, Bulls get Patterson; Pick up Marin from Braves",Chicago Tribune,November 28, 1975.[dead link]
  15. ^Lucchesi, Paolo (December 27, 2011)."Big Nate's BBQ closes; CatHead's BBQ en route".SFGate.RetrievedJuly 17,2016.
  16. ^Guerrero, Susana (August 26, 2019)."These Bay Area food favorites will be available at the Chase Center".SF Chronicle.San Francisco, CA.RetrievedSeptember 5,2019.
  17. ^Whiting, Sam (March 3, 2013)."Big Nate Thurmond a center of attention".San Francisco Chronicle.RetrievedMarch 2,2013.
  18. ^"Warriors Legend and Hall of Famer Nate Thurmond Passes Away at Age of 74".NBA.com.July 16, 2016.RetrievedJuly 16,2016.
  19. ^ab"NBA & ABA Career Leaders and Records for Rebounds Per Game".basketball-reference.com.RetrievedJuly 17,2016.
  20. ^"NBA & ABA Single Season Leaders and Records for Rebounds Per Game".basketball-reference.com.RetrievedJuly 17,2016.
  21. ^Weir, Tom (November 9, 2011). "Daily NBA fix: The night Nate Thurmond had 42 rebounds".USA Today.Retrieved July 17, 2016.
  22. ^Shouler, Ken (July 16, 2016)."Emerging from Wilt's shadow, Nate Thurmond became an all-time great".ESPN.RetrievedJuly 17,2016.

Further reading

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  • Heisler, Mark (2003).Giants: The 25 Greatest Centers of All Time.Chicago: Triumph Books.ISBN1-57243-577-1.
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