Nov 11, 2025
3 min read
Lenny Wilkens, one of the greatest players and coaches in NBA history, left behind a legacy that today's coaches can respect.
Lenny Wilkins, one of the greatest players and coaches in NBA history, died on Sunday.
Wilkens is so great that he is a three-time resident of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall as a player of fame (1989), coach (1998) and as part of the 1992 dream team coach (2010).
Reactions to his death were varied, which is fitting given his impact in both roles across multiple series and generations.Many around the league have weighed in on Wilkins' impact, and below is what some around the league had to say about Wilkins.
Rick Carlisle, head coach of the Pacers and President of the National Basketball Association
"Lenny was...what an amazing person. A great coach. A Hall of Famer as a player and a Hall of Famer as a coach. And he was president of the coaches association for 18 years and did a lot of great things during that time. When I came into the league as a head coach in 2001, this guy couldn't have been a new coach, and he was always kinder."
Steve Kerr, Warriors coach, former Team USA Basketball coach is one of the 15 greatest coaches in NBA history
"We had a bunch of guys that got hurt, this would have been around 1990 or '91, and he jumped into the fray and was still able to play," Kerr said of his time under Wilkens.
What I want most is dignity.He is a dignified human being.And great leaders come through this quiet confidence.He went through a little bit of his life, in his childhood, just being in America and dealing with being a black man in America, and he shared some of that with us.For him to have the career he did in the game, and make the impact he made on so many people, is pretty amazing."
Jason Kidd, Maverick Head Coach and NBA Champion (wins as a player in 2011, Assistant Coach in 2020)
"Our prayers and thoughts go out to his family. You're talking about a trailblazer, a legend. A Hall of Famer on three different occasions. He loved being a player-coach in Seattle. Then he also helped bring a championship to Seattle. He's a role model for all of us. He's from Providence. He's just a winner.
We miss him very much.
I think he met a lot of coaches in this league.They have helped many coaches get their first job.
Doc Rivers, head coach of the Bucks and among the top 15 coaches in NBA history
"He's the best. I have an amazing relationship with him. We have the same agent. I should have talked to him. I should have talked to him. But he's a citizen.
"When he felt that I was struggling, you learned that I never said anything." Amazing.
J. B.Bickerstaff, coach of the Pistons and vice-champion of the 2024-2025 NBA League.
"It's tough for all American coaches, especially me. They gave my dad a job that I haven't seen in 12 years, he didn't get a chance to be a head coach and Lenny gave him a chance to be a head coach.
He was a mentor to me even during my time in Cleveland.He would come to me, call me and check on me when he was in town - we would have conversations.But you're talking about class, you're talking about the complete person.For a guy who was as talented in every field as he was, he meant a lot to me and to my family.Again, (I) probably wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him."
