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Quick: Maurice Lucas Has Passed Away

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Jason Quick reports on Twitter that former Portland Trail Blazers power forward and assistant coach Maurice Lucas has passed away at 58 years of age. Lucas, known as perhaps the NBA's most feared enforcer during his playing days, had battled bladder cancer for the last few years, beating the disease on multiple occasions. During the 2008-2009 season, Lucas underwent bladder cancer surgery, which forced him off the bench for the team's playoff run. He returned healthy last fall, only to miss time again in the spring. Former Blazers center and NBA Hall of Famer Bill Walton recently called Lucas "the greatest Portland Trail Blazer of all time," and he named his son, Luke Walton, after Lucas. Lucas was a member of the 1977 NBA Champion Portland Trail Blazers and a four-time NBA all star. He played for the Blazers from 1976-1980 and again in 1987-1988 and served as an assistant coach in 1988-89 under Mike Schuler and Rick Adelman. He was also a member of Nate McMillan's staff from 2005 until last season. Lucas's No. 20 jersey has been retired by the Blazers and it hangs in the Rose Garden rafters. Condolences to the Lucas family and the Portland Trail Blazers organization. -- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter