Bob Love, a Chicago Bulls legend, passed away after a long battle with cancer on Monday (Nov. 18), USA Today reports.
Jerry Reinsdorf, owner of the Bull paid tribute to Love in a statement. He noted his many accomplishments as a member of the team.
“Bob is one of the original Bulls greats,” team owner Jerry Reinsdorf said in a statement. “During his nine seasons with the Bulls, Bob became a cornerstone of the franchise, and his tenacious defense set high standards for competition and toughness. Toughness was not only a trademark of Bob’s play on the court but also apparent in his resiliency throughout his basketball career. His impact on the Bulls and the countless lives he touched through his work in the community will keep him in our memories forever.”
“With his No. 10 jersey hanging in the United Center rafters, his on-court achievements are forever etched in history, but Bob’s impact transcended basketball,” the team said in a statement. “He became an inspirational figure and a passionate community ambassador for the Bulls, dedicating himself to charitable causes and uplifting countless lives with his motivational speeches. We are profoundly grateful for his enduring contributions and legacy both on and off the court in Chicago.”
Born in Love was one of 14 children and was nicknamed “Butterbean” because of his love for lima beans.
Love went on to star at Southern University in Baton Rouge before being selected in the fourth round of the 1965 NBA draft by the Cincinnati Royals. After two seasons with the Royals, the 6-foot-8 forward was selected by the Milwaukee Bucks in the expansion draft in 1968.
The same year, Love along with Bob Weiss was traded to the Bulls for Flynn Robinson. His career took off as he was selected as an All-Star for three straight seasons (1970-73). During the 1971-72 season, averaged 25.8 points a game, his career best.
During his tenure with the Bulls, Love posted 21.3 points and 6.8 rebounds in 592 games (444 starts). He also made the All-NBA second team twice and the All-Defensive second team three times.
Before retiring in 1977, he played for the New Jersey Nets and the Seattle SuperSonics.
In 789 games, Love averaged 17.6 points and 5.9 rebounds in 789 career games.
After retiring because of a back injury, Love resorted to working in maintenance at the local Nordstrom. Due to the debilitating stutter that plagued him throughout his playing days, it was the only work he could find.
John Nordstrom, an executive, promised to promote Love if he went for speech therapy that the company paid for.
“All my life I dreamed and prayed to be able to communicate normally with people,” Love said in an interview. “I would have given up everything else in my life to do it.”
Eventually, he was named as Director of Community Affairs in the Bulls organization when Reinsdorf heard about his story. Love worked with the Bulls until his retirement.
In 1994, the Bulls retired Love’s No. 10 jersey.
We at HOT97 offer our prayers and deepest condolences to the family and friends of Bob Love.
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