Golden State Warriors Hall of Famer Alvin Attles passed away on Tuesday at the age of 87.
The Warriors confirmed his passing on Wednesday without disclosing the cause of death.
Attles started his journey with the then-Philadelphia Warriors as a player in 1960. Over the next 60 years, he dedicated his life to the franchise, taking on various roles such as head coach and general manager. His tenure with the Warriors stands as the longest with a single franchise by an individual in NBA history.
Known as “The Destroyer” during his playing days, Attles was a fierce presence on the court for 11 seasons with the Warriors from 1960-71. He notably played alongside Wilt Chamberlain for five seasons and was the team’s second-leading scorer with 17 points during Chamberlain’s iconic 100-point game in 1962. Despite his small stature as a 6-foot, 175-pound guard, Attles earned a reputation as a tough enforcer and disruptor.
“Alvin Attles did not just epitomize what it meant to be a Warrior — he was Mr. Warrior,” a team statement reads. “His tenacious playing style earned him the affectionate nickname of ‘The Destroyer’ on the court, but it was his gentle soul, grace and humility off the court that served as a guiding light for the organization for more than six decades.”
Attles remained loyal to the Warriors when they relocated to the Bay Area in 1962 and continued his association with the team until his retirement as a player in 1971. Throughout his career, he averaged 8.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.
In his final four seasons, Attles served as a player-coach, transitioning from an assistant to head coach in 1969. He remained at the helm until the end of the 1982-83 season, totaling 14 seasons as head coach.
Under Attles’ guidance, the 1974-75 Warriors clinched the NBA championship. The team, featuring Hall of Famers Rick Barry and Jamaal Wilkes, swept the Washington Bullets led by Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld in the 1975 NBA Finals.
“My heart is heavy today with the loss of my mentor and friend,” Barry said Wednesday, via a team statement. … “We shared so many wonderful and memorable moments together. My thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, Wilhelmina, and his entire family. He will be dearly missed.”
In 1983, Attles stepped down as head coach to assume the role of the team’s general manager. He led the Warriors to a 557-518 record as head coach, which included six playoff appearances, making him the franchise’s all-time leader in coaching wins.
As general manager for three seasons, Attles played a key role in drafting Warriors legend Chris Mullin with the 7th overall pick in 1985.
Throughout his career, Attles held various positions within the franchise, such as vice president, consultant, and ambassador. In 2014, he received the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award from the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Five years later, he was officially inducted into the Hall of Fame. His No. 16 jersey is among the six retired jerseys by the Warriors, proudly displayed in the rafters of the Chase Center alongside other legends like Chamberlain, Barry, Mullin, Nate Thurmond, and Tom Meschery.
Attles continued to be a familiar face at home games during the Warriors’ recent championship victories led by Stephen Curry, solidifying his legacy as a true Warrior.