Bob Lanier, the late NBA legend, was widely known by his nickname “The Big Dobber” due to his big size and his victorious games.
The Big Dobber was the Most Valuable Player of the 1974 NBA All-Star Game. Lanier played for fourteen seasons during his long basketball career though he did not appear in NBA Finals.
Likewise, the big man was a part of a whopping eight NBA All-Star Games in his lifetime. Given his impressive career achievements, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992.
Sadly, the news of the Big Dobber’s death has hit the world as the netizens are deeply saddened.
Bob Lanier Was Nicknamed The Big Dobber As He Was Too Fast In Defense
Bob Lanier was fast in defense at his prime in college football; thus, he got his name “The Big Dobber.”
Not to forget, the big in his nickname indicates Lanier’s big stature of 6 feet 10 inches and listed weight of 250 pounds.
The late legend was 6 feet 5 inches tall at 16, thus, missing many chances to play as his height was too tall.
His towering height also lagged him out of the varsity basketball squad in his sophomore year at Bennett High School because he was deemed too clumsy.
However, Lanier improved on his part and impressed the coaches by overcoming his clumsiness due to his big height.
Despite his shortcomings of a monstrous height, Lanier improved his defense and speed with time.
Bob Lanier Is Survived By His Wife Rose And His Big Family
Bob Lanier is survived by his wife, Rose, and his big family consisting of his eight children.
He was married twice in his lifetime, first to Shirley and later to Rose. Lanier fathered four children from each of his marriages, thus, he enjoyed big family moments, including his children and grandchildren.
The surviving Lanier family is mourning the untimely passing away of Bob in private. The Lanier family has yet to share an official statement about the loss and address Lanier’s fans and well-wishers.
How Did Bob Lanier Die?
Bob Lanier faced quite some health issues, hence, passing away after a brief illness. His death was first confirmed by NBA, which revealed that the late NBA legend was surrounded by his family in his last moments.
However, further details into Bob’s illness and medical history are still into consideration.
Prior to his death, the late Bob faced problems with his knee injuries. Despite that, he achieved legendary accomplishments by overcoming his bad knees.
The Big Dobber was truly a fighter who overcame many drawbacks in life and improved them to his better.