Maurice Lucas is Back

by Ben Golliver on Sep 23, 2009 10:21 AM PDT in News

Jason Quick reported this roughly three weeks ago but the Blazers sent out a release stating that Maurice Lucas is back on the bench after missing much of last season due to bladder cancer.

Click through to read the release.

-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)

TRAIL BLAZERS ASSISTANT COACH MAURICE LUCAS TO RESUME COACHING DUTIES

PORTLAND, Ore. - Portland Trail Blazers assistant coach Maurice Lucas, who underwent successful bladder cancer surgery in April, has resumed coaching duties and will be with the team when training camp begins on Tuesday, September 29.

Lucas, 57, has elected to adopt a schedule that will allow him to continue player development responsibilities at the Trail Blazers practice facility and at home games. At this point, he plans to travel only occasionally with the team to road games.

"I feel great," Lucas said. "I have been listening to my doctors, getting my rest, and I'm very excited about being back. I am fortunate to have the support of an organization and a head coach that have allowed me to continue to contribute, and grateful to have had the support and encouragement of a lot of great fans during the past six months."

A 14-year NBA/ABA veteran and five-time All-Star, Lucas was a starting forward on the Trail Blazers 1977 NBA Championship team. He joined the Trail Blazers coaching staff in 2005 at the request of Head Coach Nate McMillan, a former teammate of Lucas when both were in Seattle during the 1986-87 season.

"We are glad to have Luke back, healthy, and working with our big men again," McMillan said. "He is a very important part of our family and we all missed having him here during the stretch run last year."

-- Ben (benjamin.golliver@gmail.com)

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Comments

So Happy

Yeah :-)

Coach Luc has a tremendous personal story.

Sophia

The Princess of Blazersedge

Sport is my boyfriend

by BlazerFan1 on Sep 23, 2009 10:34 AM PDT reply actions

agreed..

An asset emotionally and knowledge wise. I am glad he is back and hope he is well.

RoadBlazer

by Roadblazer on Sep 23, 2009 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions

As much as I love the Enforcer...

I think it’s time for him to step down and let Brian Grant fill his shoes. Grant can relate to the players more and he is a more updated big man to relate to Greg, Joel and Marcus.

by droyden on Sep 23, 2009 10:35 AM PDT reply actions

I don’t care about either guy too much one way or the other, but one thing the Blazers big men don’t need is a coach that teaches them to grab a rebound, bend down and dribble it, then have it blocked on the way to the basket.

by tominhawaii on Sep 24, 2009 7:43 AM PDT up reply actions

Um

Hire Zo? ;P

Backcourt game - 24/7

by pxilpooshr on Sep 23, 2009 10:36 AM PDT reply actions

Yeah, Mo is pictured here trying to make Brandon sick and he is coaching Oden how to sit on the bench.

I get the paper, so I don't care!

by Name's Ash on Sep 23, 2009 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions

WELCOME BACK COACH!

You are a key part of us making it to the next level.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Sep 23, 2009 10:52 AM PDT reply actions

One of my favorite Luke quotes

There was a scuffle on the court back when Brandon and LMA were in their second year (I forget with whom), and Lucas was asked what he would do in their shoes, given his playing experience.
Coach Lucas: “Oh, I better not answer that question. Back when I was playing, it was only a Fifty-dollar fine for punching someone in the face.”
Glad to have you back, coach.

by Montavilla Steve on Sep 23, 2009 11:25 AM PDT reply actions

Welcome Back Luc!

In the glorious words of your front-court teammate, “Throw it down, Big Man!”

Wondering what moves Pritchard would make to land me a date in the off-season. Preferably one with tickets.

by MikeIrish on Sep 23, 2009 11:43 AM PDT reply actions

I was so bummed when

the NBA took down all the YouTube clips of him fighting way back in the day. The announcer must have been a boxing announcer as well because he get right into it. Mo is the man, don’t take no crap

- Neil

by Blazin'aTrail on Sep 23, 2009 12:02 PM PDT reply actions