Today, Lenny Wilkens Way, dedicated this past week, runs next to Climate Pledge Arena, the location of the Seattle Colosseum, where Wilkens played, then became player coach. After being traded, he would return to turn around a struggling Sonics team as coach. He would then in 1979, coach the Seattle Super Sonics to an NBA championship.
Wilkens would go on and coach other NBA franchises, but kept his home in the Seattle area and has been active in charity work.
I bet his favorite fast food restaurant is Sonic.
ReplyDeleteIt was early in Wilkens' career as coach and the Sonics were in a playoff with the Lakers. The winner of (I believe) a 3 game series would go on, the loser go home. Against most predictions the Sonics won Game 3 at the Arena--their FIRST playoff series win. I had a seat along the player exit tunnel and at the end of all the wild cheers, Wilkens and Freddy Brown walked into the tunnel, Wilkens' arm around Brown's shoulder, and quietly, joyfully, confiding to him (as I imagined), "This is what it's all about...this is what we play for." Indelible. Thank you and all the players.
ReplyDeleteBurke Walker
Seattle resident, '66-'99.
Thank you Mr. Walker!
ReplyDeleteAnd Wilkens is spelled correctly, which it isn't at least half the time. This is an outstanding and long overdue tribute for a Seattle sports legend. I can see that left-handed jump shot right now.
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