Bucks to honor Bob Lanier on Feb 20
Bucks to re-dedicate Lanier’s retired #16 banner; Ceremony part of the team’s 40th Anniversary season

Print RSS Feeds FastBreak Tix

February 12, 2008

MILWAUKEE -- On Wednesday, February 20, during halftime of the Bucks/Pistons game at the Bradley Center, the Milwaukee Bucks will continue their season-long, 40th anniversary celebration of the greatest players to ever put on a Bucks uniform when they honor Bob Lanier and re-dedicate his #16 jersey banner. The ceremony will be the fourth of the season so far: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar – Nov 21; Sidney Moncrief – Jan 19; Junior Bridgeman – Feb 9.

Lanier played five seasons with the Bucks and averaged 13.5 points and 5.9 rebounds in 278 games. Milwaukee averaged 53 wins during his tenure and won divisional titles in each of his five seasons. He averaged 15.1 points and 7.6 rebounds in 45 playoff games as a Buck and was part of the 1983-84 squad that went to the Eastern Conference Finals. He joined teammate Sidney Moncrief as a representative in the 1982 All-Star game. Lanier logged eight points and three rebounds in 11 minutes of action.

Lanier was destined for the Naismith Hall of Fame long before he put on a Bucks uniform. He played over nine seasons with the Detroit Pistons where he became the team’s all-time leader in scoring average (22.7) and ranked second in both points (15,488) and rebounds (8,063). He was traded to the Bucks on February 4, 1980 in exchange for Kent Benson and a first-round draft pick.

The 6-10 Lanier amassed 19,248 points in 14 NBA seasons, finishing his career with averages of 20.1 points and 10.1 rebounds. He was inducted into the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1991. The Bucks originally retired his jersey on December 4, 1984.

Lanier was a leader off the court as well, serving as the President of the NBA Players Association and establishing a residence and presence in the Milwaukee community on a year-round basis. He was active with “Athletes for Youth” and the “Boys & Girls Club”. His company, “Bob Lanier Enterprises”, is based in Milwaukee and specializes in marketing programs and merchandise for companies throughout the United States.

Lanier is currently a Special Assistant to NBA Commissioner David Stern.