Attles broke some incredible records with the Warriors throughout the course of his more than 60-year tenure.
Alvin Attles, a legend in the team’s history who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 87, was honored with a heartfelt tribute by the Golden State Warriors.
In a special film, the NBA franchise featured poignant remarks about the former point guard, coach, executive, and Golden State ambassador from another legendary Warriors player, Wilt Chamberlain.
The video was released following the Warriors’ confirmation of Attles’ passing on Wednesday. Old film of the native of New Jersey entering the team’s workout area served as the starting point.
He paused to see a banner hanging on the wall commemorating the team’s 1975 NBA championship. It was hanging among the team’s retired jerseys, his own included.
Then, in a previous interview, Chamberlain—who passed away in 1999—was heard discussing the personality of his former comrade.
“Nobody I’ve ever met doesn’t like Al Attles,” remarked the well-known center.
“And I think that’s really special, especially in our professional sports game, because the man is a man of character first and foremost.”
After then, a profile of Attles was shown on the film, with Warriors announcer Bob Fitzgerald delivering the speech.
Highlights from the 6-foot-1 guard’s playing career and his 2019 Hall of Fame speech were displayed throughout the interview.
A few of the videos featured him giggling alongside current Golden State players like Draymond Green and Steph Curry.
Head coach Steve Kerr walked up and spoke about how Attles had been the “face of our franchise” for many years.
After the initial shot of him at the practice facility, there was a final shot in the film showing him walking off the screen.
The Warriors released a statement saying, “Attles passed away at home in the San Francisco Bay Area with his family by his side.”
He joined the team two years prior to its 1962 relocation from Philadelphia to Northern California, and he played for them for 11 seasons.
He was known as “The Destroyer” because of his fierce defense play and all-around toughness on the floor.
The night when Chamberlain scored a remarkable 100 points against the New York Knicks in 1962, the North Carolina A&T player finished second on the squad with 17 points.
Attles led the Warriors as their coach from 1970 to 1983. He guided the squad to its first championship in the NBA Finals in 1975.
He is still the team’s most successful head coach with 557 victories.
Attles spent more than 60 years in a variety of capacities at Golden State.
He will have played for one franchise longer than any other player in NBA history as a result.
“He leaves behind a profound legacy in the game of basketball and the Bay Area community, but especially as a family man and humanitarian,” the Warriors announced in response to Alvin’s passing.
“All of us who knew and loved him, including his son Alvin and wife Wilhelmina, mourn his loss.”