Always an awesome athlete and basketball player. But most of all, I remember Maurice for his heart. Whenever we'd meet in the streets of Portland, we didn't talk bball -- I'd ask and he'd give me the latest on Ramon Ramos' long road to recovery from that horrific traffic accident. http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=13707

More on Maurice's heroic past:

1971, Schenley High School. Pittsburgh. Ron Cook writing for the Pittsburgh Post Gazette (3/5/99) rates the 1971 Schenley team with Maurice Lucas, Rickey Coleman, and Jeep Kelly as one of the best high school teams to play in Pennsylvania basketball history. That Schenley team, representing District 8 and the Pittsburgh City League, defeated Norristown for the AAA Championship 77-60.
http://www.pahoops.org/best%20team%20in%20pa%20all%20time.htm

Video
http://wn.com/1970-71_PA_Basketball_State_Championship_Schenley_vs_Norristown_1st_Half__P3

I watched the parade first by the Benson. The truck with the band led the way. Bill Walton was still on his bicycle, but the crowd was mobbing him and soon it would be impossible for him to continue pedaling.
After the team had passed by, I cut across and waited for the parade again as it headed back north on 4th. I was in a downstairs deli a block up from the Courthouse. The music got louder as the band approached so I went up the stairs to watch.
Maurice Lucas was in an open car with the sun shining brightly down on him. He looked impossibly handsome and healthy. He was smiling - the smile of a new champion - and the crowd along the street was cheering for joy.
That's the image I'll remember when I think of Maurice Lucas.
Rest in peace, Luke.

I watched his entire career, and remember that championship parade floating through a younger, smaller, Different Portland. We were all surprised; it was like Hollywood visited the city and when I looked around, we all seemed to be blinking in surprise at the bright light shone our way. The Trail Blazers! Champions! I can hear Bill Schonely's voice in my head right now.

Rest in peace, Maurice.

That was the biggest party in Portland history. All of Broadway was dense crowd as far as one could see. Amazing.

Unfortuantely while departing I turned my ankle stepping off a curb and severely sprained my ankle. Man that hurt.

RIP City has a sad meaning today.

He was a true (Marquette) Warrior. RIP.

I met him once sort of. Back in the 70s, he used to run a basketball camp at Lewis and Clark. And back in the 70s in the summer, it was pretty easy for anyone to use the outside pool on campus. So one afternoon, after being in the pool, my friend and I wandered into a building to find a drinking fountain (water bottles were not ubiquitous then). And as we walked in, a very tall smiling man walked out and said "Hi, how are you?". I did not know who he was except I thought he was some athlete stuck on himself so I did not acknowledge him. My friend did. And when he was gone, my friend informed me of who he was. I will say this, I lived on the same block as Walton (when he crashed with his buddy during the season) and Maurice was by far a friendly guy to the average person. Enforcer though he was on the court.

What a wonderful basketballer and person. When growing up on the northside (northview heights and manchester) Maurice was probably the most respected and feared baller ever to play the game. We love and will miss you luke. Love walk'O.