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)