Al Attles, a Hall of Famer renowned for his contributions to US basketball, has passed away at the age of 87. Attles, who led the 1975 NBA champion Warriors and spent over sixty years with the team as a player, general manager, and ambassador, died at his East Bay home on Tuesday, surrounded by family.
Known as “The Destroyer” for his intense playing style, Attles was dedicated to the Warriors, the only team he played for after being drafted in the fifth round in 1960. His tenure with the franchise remains the longest for any individual in NBA history.
As one of the NBA’s pioneering Black head coaches, Attles witnessed numerous historic games across various eras. He played in Wilt Chamberlain’s legendary 100-point game in 1962, coached Rick Barry during his 64-point game against Portland in 1974, and saw Klay Thompson score 60 points in just three quarters in 2016.
Rick Barry expressed deep sorrow over Attles’ passing, recalling him as a mentor and friend who provided invaluable lessons beyond the court. Barry highlighted Attles’ leadership and strategic skills during their 1975 championship season.
Attles’ death is a significant loss for the Bay Area sports community, coming shortly after the passing of Giants Hall of Famers Willie Mays and Orlando Cepeda. He guided the Warriors to their first championship after the team’s move to the West Coast in 1975 and holds the record for the most coaching wins in franchise history with 557.v
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