View source for Bob Lanier

{{Short description|American basketball player (1948–2022)}}
{{Other uses|Bob Lanier (disambiguation)}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Infobox basketball biography
| name = Bob Lanier
| image = BobLanier.jpg
| caption = Lanier in 2004
| birth_date = {{birth date|1948|09|10}}
| birth_place = [[Buffalo, New York]], U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2022|05|10|1948|09|10}}
| death_place = [[Phoenix, Arizona]], U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 10
| weight_lb = 250
| high_school = [[Bennett High School (Buffalo, New York)|Bennett]] (Buffalo, New York)
| college = [[St. Bonaventure Bonnies men's basketball|St. Bonaventure]] (1967–1970)
| draft_year = 1970
| draft_round = 1
| draft_pick = 1
| draft_team = [[Detroit Pistons]]
| career_start = 1970
| career_end = 1984
| career_position = [[Center (basketball)|Center]]
| career_number = 16
| years1 = {{nbay|1970|start}}–{{nbay|1979|end}}
| team1 = [[Detroit Pistons]]
| years2 = {{nbay|1979|end}}–{{nbay|1983|end}}
| team2 = [[Milwaukee Bucks]]
| cyears1 = {{nbay|1994|full=y}}
| cteam1 = [[Golden State Warriors]] (assistant)
| cyears2 = {{nbay|1994|end}}
| cteam2 = Golden State Warriors (interim)
| highlights =
* 8× [[NBA All-Star]] ({{nasg|1972}}–{{nasg|1975}}, {{nasg|1977}}–{{nasg|1979}}, {{nasg|1982}})
* [[NBA All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award|NBA All-Star Game MVP]] ({{nasg|1974}})
* [[NBA All-Rookie First Team]] ({{nbay|1970|end}})
* No. 16 [[Detroit Pistons#Retired numbers|retired by Detroit Pistons]]
* No. 16 [[Milwaukee Bucks#Retired numbers|retired by Milwaukee Bucks]]
* Consensus first-team [[NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|All-American]] ([[1970 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|1970]])
* Consensus second-team All-American ([[1968 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|1968]])
* Second-team All-American – [[Associated Press|AP]], [[National Association of Basketball Coaches|NABC]], [[United Press International|UPI]] ([[1969 NCAA Men's Basketball All-Americans|1969]])
* No. 31 [[St. Bonaventure Bonnies men's basketball#Retired numbers|retired by St. Bonaventure Bonnies]]
| stat1label = [[Point (basketball)|Points]]
| stat1value = 19,248 (20.1 ppg)
| stat2label = [[Rebound (basketball)|Rebounds]]
| stat2value = 9,698 (10.1 rpg)
| stat3label = [[Block (basketball)|Blocks]]
| stat3value = 1,100 (1.5 bpg)
| HOF_player = bob-lanier
| CBBASKHOF_year = 2006
}}

'''Robert Jerry Lanier Jr.''' (September 10, 1948 – May 10, 2022) was an American professional [[basketball]] player. He played [[center (basketball)|center]] for the [[Detroit Pistons]] and the [[Milwaukee Bucks]] of the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA). Lanier was inducted into the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]] in 1992.

In 14 NBA seasons, Lanier played in eight [[National Basketball Association All-Star Game|NBA All-Star Games]] and was named Most Valuable Player of the [[1974 NBA All-Star Game|1974 game]]. His accomplishments came despite a long history with knee injuries. He had his No. 16 jersey [[retired number|retired]] by both the Pistons and the Bucks and his No. 31 jersey retired by [[St. Bonaventure University]], for whom he played [[college basketball]]. After retiring from playing he was an assistant coach for the [[Golden State Warriors]], and briefly served as their interim head coach. He went on to work as an NBA Cares Global Ambassador.

==Early life==
Robert Jerry Lanier Jr. was born on September 10, 1948, in [[Buffalo, New York]]. He was the son of Robert Sr. and Nannette Lanier. His mother raised him in the [[Seventh-day Adventist Church]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nba.com/news/bob-lanier-qa|title=NBA legend Bob Lanier reflects on career, current game and impact off floor|last=Aschburner|first=Steve|date=2018-09-10|website=[[National Basketball Association]]|access-date=2023-07-03}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sportsbusinessjournal.com/Journal/Issues/2016/02/22/Champions/Lanier.aspx|title=Bob Lanier, the NBA's inside man|last=Lombardo|first=John|date=2016-02-22|website=[[Sports Business Journal]]|access-date=2023-07-03}}</ref>

Growing up, Lanier initially was rejected in his efforts to play basketball. When he tried out to play for his grammar school team, Lanier was told by a coach that his feet (size 11 at age 11) were too large for him to become a successful athlete. Although he was {{convert|6|ft|5|in}} tall by age 16, Lanier did not make the varsity basketball squad in his sophomore year at [[Bennett High School (Buffalo, New York)|Bennett High School]] because he was deemed to be too clumsy.<ref name="nba.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/pistons/history/bob_lanier_profile.html|title=Detroit Pistons Legend Bob Lanier|website=Detroit Pistons}}</ref>

During his junior year, he was encouraged to try out again by new coach Fred Schwepker, who taught Lanier as a student in his biology class. Lanier tried out again and made the team. He averaged 21.5 points and was named to the All-City team as a junior. In his senior year, he averaged 25.0 points and he earned All-Western New York State honors. In each year, he led Bennett to a Buffalo city title.<ref name="nba.com1">{{cite web|url=http://www.nba.com/history/legends/profiles/bob-lanier|title=Legends profile: Bob Lanier|website=NBA.com}}</ref><ref name="nba.com"/> Lanier graduated in 1966.<ref name=buffalonews>{{citation |title=Bennett Coach Inspired Lanier: NBA Great Points to Mentor | newspaper=The Buffalo News |date=February 16, 1995 |url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-22710274.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329104020/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-22710274.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=March 29, 2015}}</ref>

Lanier was recruited by more than 100 universities; however, he chose to attend [[St. Bonaventure University]], approximately an hour and a half away from his home. There, he played for coach [[Larry Weise]].<ref name="nba.com1"/> "There was recruiting competition, but the advantage I had, and what I sold, was that his parents could come watch him play",  said Coach Weise. "He picked St. Bonaventure. His parents were at every game."<ref name="democratandchronicle.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/2018/03/12/st-bonaventure-mens-basketball-ncaa-tournament-bonnies-1970-final-four-team-bob-lanier-larry-weise/418550002/|title=ER's Larry Weise on 1970 Bonnies: 'We knew we were good enough to win the championship'|first=Leo|last=Roth|website=Democrat and Chronicle|date=March 12, 2018}}</ref>

In 2009 as ''[[The Buffalo News]]''  celebrated 50 years of All-[[Western New York]] (WNY) basketball selections, Lanier, who was a 1965–66 All-WNY first team selection was named to the All-time All-WNY team along with [[Christian Laettner]], [[Curtis Aiken]], [[Paul Harris (basketball)|Paul Harris]] and Mel Montgomery.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/381940241|url-access=subscription|id={{ProQuest|381940241}}|title=All-time All-WNY team: How'd we do?|work=[[The Buffalo News]]|author=McShea, Keith|accessdate=February 9, 2024|date=March 7, 2009|page=|quote=First team Curtis Aiken, Bennett 1981–82, '82–83 Paul Harris, Niagara Falls, 2003–04, '04–05 Christian Laettner, Nichols 1986–87, '87–88 Bob Lanier, Bennett 1965–66 Mel Montgomery, Kensington 1969–70, '70–71}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/464904948|url-access=subscription|id={{ProQuest|464904948}}|title=WNY's all-time high school basketball team|publisher=[[McClatchy]]-[[Tribune Content Agency|Tribune Business News]]|author=McShea, Keith|accessdate=February 9, 2024|date=March 7, 2009|page=|quote=Our staff has been banging under the boards for more than a month, picking our all-decade teams as we built toward this point, the final shot of our celebration of the 50th anniversary of All-WNY basketball. . .There were letters, e-mails, voice mails, blog comments and phone calls. There were opinions from coaches, teammates, fathers, brothers, sons and of course fans.}}</ref>

==College career==
Lanier was a three-time [[All-America]] selection (1968–1970).{{citation needed|date=May 2022}} As a senior in 1970, he led the [[St. Bonaventure Bonnies men's basketball|St. Bonaventure]] to the [[National Collegiate Athletic Association|NCAA]] [[Final Four]]. Near the end of the regional championship game, he injured his knee in a collision with [[Villanova Wildcats men's basketball|Villanova]]'s [[Chris Ford]] and did not play in St. Bonaventure's national semifinal loss to [[Jacksonville Dolphins men's basketball|Jacksonville University]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-05-19-sp-9386-story.html | title=Lanier Looks Back at What Might Have Been : He Put in 14 Seasons in the NBA but Has No Championship to Show for Efforts | website=[[Los Angeles Times]] | date=May 19, 1985 }}</ref>

That year, Lanier was named the ''Coach and Athlete Magazine'' player of the year{{citation needed|date=May 2022}} and the [[Eastern College Athletic Conference]]'s Player of the Year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101648036/bob-lanier-chosen-ecac-player-of-year/ |title=Bob Lanier Chosen ECAC Player Of Year |newspaper=The Times Record|page=33|via=Newspapers.com |date=March 19, 1970 |accessdate=May 11, 2022}}</ref> Since 2007 their basketball court has been called the “ [[Reilly Center|Bob Lanier court]]”

===Freshman year (1966–1967)===
Per NCAA rules at the time, Lanier played on the freshman team during his first year at St. Bonaventure.

===Sophomore year (1967–1968)===
[[File:Bob lanier 1968 yearbook 01.jpg|thumb|200px|Lanier at St. Bonaventure]]
As a {{height|ft=6|in=10}} sophomore in the 1967–68 season, Lanier made an immediate impact and gained national recognition. Lanier led St. Bonaventure (13–9 in the previous season) to an undefeated regular season (26–0) and a number three final poll ranking. He averaged 26.2 points and 15.6 rebounds per game for the season.<ref name="sports-reference.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/st-bonaventure/1968.html|title=1967–68 St. Bonaventure Bonnies Roster and Stats|website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> Against [[Loyola Greyhounds men's basketball|Loyola Maryland]], Lanier had 27 rebounds, leading St. Bonaventure to a 94–78 victory.<ref name="nba.com"/>

In the 23-team [[1968 NCAA University Division basketball tournament|1968 NCAA tournament]], Lanier led St. Bonaventure to a 102–93 victory over [[Boston College Eagles men's basketball|Boston College]] and coach [[Bob Cousy]]. The Bonnies were then defeated 91–72 by [[North Carolina Tar Heels men's basketball|North Carolina]] and coach [[Dean Smith]] in the East Regional semifinal, ending their undefeated season.<ref name="sports-reference.com"/> Lanier had 32 points and 15 rebounds in the victory over Boston College and 23 points with 9 rebounds in the North Carolina loss. Lanier then fouled out, scoring 18 points with 13 rebounds in the third-place East Region game; St. Bonaventure lost, 92–75, to [[Columbia Lions men's basketball|Columbia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/bob-lanier-1/gamelog/1968/|title=Bob Lanier 1967–68 Game Log|website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref>

Lanier was named a second-team All-American, behind [[Lew Alcindor]] (who later changed his name to [[Kareem Abdul-Jabbar]]) at center.<ref name="basketball-reference.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/all_america.html|title=NCAA College Basketball AP All-America Teams|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=March 3, 2019|archive-date=September 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904083510/http://www.basketball-reference.com/awards/all_america.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Junior year (1968–1969)===
In the 1968–69 season, St. Bonaventure finished with a 17–7 record after starting the season 3–5.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/st-bonaventure/1969-schedule.html|title=1968–69 St. Bonaventure Bonnies Schedule and Results|website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref> Against [[Seton Hall Pirates men's basketball|Seton Hall]], Lanier scored 51 points, setting the single-game scoring record for St. Bonaventure.<ref name="nba.com"/> Lanier averaged 27.3 points and 15.6 rebounds in 24 games. Lanier was again named a second-team All-American behind [[Lew Alcindor]] at center.<ref name="basketball-reference.com"/>  During his junior year, Lanier was approached by representatives of the [[American Basketball Association]]'s [[New York Nets]], who reportedly offered him $1.2 million to leave school early and join the ABA. However, following his father's advice, Lanier chose to remain in school.{{citation needed|date=August 2022}}

===Senior year: NCAA Tournament and knee injury (1969–1970)===
Lanier averaged 29.2 points and 16.0 rebounds as St. Bonaventure finished the 1969–70 regular season 25–1 (with the only loss at [[Villanova Wildcats men's basketball|Villanova]] 64–62) and a number three national ranking. In the 25-team [[1970 NCAA University Division basketball tournament|1970 NCAA tournament]], Lanier led St. Bonaventure to an 80–72 victory over [[Davidson Wildcats men's basketball|Davidson College]] with 28 points and 15 rebounds. He had 24 points and 19 rebounds in an 80–68 victory over [[NC State Wolfpack men's basketball|NC State]], and had 26 points and 14 rebounds in the 97–74 victory over Villanova as St. Bonaventure advanced to the Final Four.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/bob-lanier-1/gamelog/1970/|title=Bob Lanier 1969–70 Game Log|website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/schools/st-bonaventure/1970.html|title=1969–70 St. Bonaventure Bonnies Roster and Stats|website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref>

However, Lanier injured his knee near the end of the regional championship game in a collision with [[Villanova Wildcats men's basketball|Villanova]]'s [[Chris Ford]]. The injury was severe enough that he could not play in the Final Four and eventually required the first of eight knee surgeries he would undergo throughout his life.<ref name="democratandchronicle.com"/><ref name="auto">{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-05-19-sp-9386-story.html|title=Lanier Looks Back at What Might Have Been : He Put In 14 Seasons in the NBA but Has No Championship to Show for Efforts|date=May 19, 1985|via=LA Times}}</ref>  In the Final Four, the Bonnies lost to [[Jacksonville Dolphins men's basketball|Jacksonville University]], whose center was future [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame|Hall of Famer]] [[Artis Gilmore]]. St. Bonaventure was whistled for 32 personal fouls and was outscored 37–15 at the free-throw line in the 91–83 loss. In the third-place game, the Bonnies lost to [[New Mexico State Aggies men's basketball|New Mexico State]], finishing the season 25–3.<ref name="democratandchronicle.com"/>

"Every year at this time you start thinking about it and my players start thinking about it," reflected Coach Larry Weise at age 81. "We have a reunion every three, four years and it's the same with them. It was a magical moment in our lives, no question. In our hearts, we knew we were good enough to win the championship."<ref name="democratandchronicle.com"/>  "I think I appreciate it even more than my (college) teammates," Lanier reflected on the Final Four in 1985, "because I had a basis for comparison. It wasn't the money, or who got the 'numbers' like in the NBA. We weren't any big stars, it was a couple of guys from Buffalo and a guy from Troy all blending together."<ref name="auto"/>

Lanier was named a first-team All-American at center alongside future [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame|Hall of Famers]] [[Dan Issel]] (center, Kentucky), [[Pete Maravich]] (point guard, LSU) and [[Calvin Murphy]] (point guard, Niagara), along with College Basketball Hall of Famer [[Rick Mount]] (shooting guard, [[Purdue Boilermakers men's basketball|Purdue]]).<ref name="basketball-reference.com"/> Lanier graduated from St. Bonaventure with a degree in business administration.<ref name="nba.com"/>  Lanier holds St. Bonaventure records for scoring and rebounding, averaging 27.6 points and 15.7 rebounds, with 57% shooting in 75 career games.<ref name="hoophall.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.hoophall.com/hall-of-famers/bob-lanier/|title=The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame :: Bob Lanier|website=www.hoophall.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cbb/players/bob-lanier-1.html|title=Bob Lanier College Stats|website=College Basketball at Sports-Reference.com}}</ref>

In March 2018, St. Bonaventure won its first game in the NCAA tournament since 1970, defeating UCLA. Coach [[Mark Schmidt]] said, "It can't get better. Our guys just fought, we persevered. ... In 1970, you know, Bob Lanier got hurt, and didn't have a chance to play UCLA and ... this is for him."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/xavier/2018/03/14/schmidt-salutes-hall-famer-lanier-after-first-four-win/423025002/|title=Schmidt salutes Hall of Famer Lanier after First Four win|first=Dave|last=Clark|website=The Enquirer|date=March 14, 2018}}</ref> "When I got the job here 11 years ago, we hear the stories about 1970," Schmidt said. "And everybody talks about if Lanier was healthy, they would have taken on UCLA. This victory is for those guys."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/st-bonaventure-coach-dedicates-emotional-long-awaited-ncaa-tournament-win-bob-lanie-045253791.html|title=St. Bonaventure coach dedicates emotional, long-awaited NCAA tournament win to Bob Lanier|website=Yahoo.com |last=Bushnell |first=Henry |date=March 14, 2018}}</ref>

==Professional career==

=== Detroit Pistons (1970–1980) ===
Lanier was the [[List of first overall NBA draft picks|first overall pick]] by the [[National Basketball Association]]'s [[Detroit Pistons]] in the [[1970 NBA draft]]. He was also a territorial pick by the [[New York Nets]] of the [[American Basketball Association]] in the 1970 [[ABA Draft]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.prosportstransactions.com/basketball/DraftTrades/Years/1970-aba.htm|title=1970 ABA Draft Pick Transactions|website=www.prosportstransactions.com}}</ref><ref name="basketball-reference.com1">{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DET/1971.html|title=1970–71 Detroit Pistons Roster and Stats|website=Basketball-Reference.com}}</ref>

Lanier played while still recovering from surgery.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/04/06/sports/for-bob-lanier-a-tough-season.html | title=For Bob Lanier, A Tough Season | work=The New York Times | date=April 6, 1981 | last1=Berkow | first1=Ira }}</ref> He was named to the [[NBA All-Rookie Team|1971 NBA All-Rookie Team]],<ref name="hoophall.com" /> averaging 15.6 points and 8.1 rebounds for the 45–37 Pistons in 24 minutes per game under Coach [[Butch van Breda Kolff]].<ref name="basketball-reference.com1"/>  "I wasn't healthy when I got to the league," Lanier reflected. "I shouldn't have played my first year. But there was so much pressure from them to play, I would have been much better off—and our team would have been much better served—if I had just sat out that year and worked on my knee. My knee was so sore every single day that it was ludicrous to be doing what I was doing."<ref name="Aschburner">{{cite web |last=Aschburner |first=Steve |date=September 10, 2018 |title=NBA legend Bob Lanier reflects on career, current game and impact off floor |url=https://www.nba.com/news/bob-lanier-qa |access-date=May 11, 2022 |website=www.nba.com |language=en}}</ref>  Lanier rehabilitated his knee with the help of Coach van Breda Kolff, who had Lanier stay at his beachfront house for 2½ weeks to run in the sand and strengthen his knee and legs.{{citation needed|date=May 2022}}

Lanier became a star for Detroit, playing alongside teammate [[Dave Bing]]. He averaged more than 21 points per game for each of the next eight seasons, with a high mark of 25.7 PPG in the [[1971–72 NBA season|1971–72 season]]. Lanier averaged more than 11 rebounds per game in seven straight seasons. On November 28, 1972, Lanier scored 48 points, a Pistons franchise record to this day for points scored in a game by a center, during a 129–96 win over the [[Portland Trail Blazers]].<ref>[https://www.mlive.com/pistons/2016/11/this_week_in_pistons_history_b This week in Pistons history: Bob Lanier, Earl Tatum set franchise records]</ref> On January 15, 1974, Lanier led all scorers in that season's [[NBA All Star Game]] with 24 points, and was named the All-Star Game MVP.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1974.html|title=1974 NBA All-Star Game Box Score|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=June 28, 2021|archive-date=March 30, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330135705/https://www.basketball-reference.com/allstar/NBA_1974.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Detroit was a franchise in constant transition. Lanier played under eight coaches in ten seasons: [[Butch van Breda Kolff]] (1970–1971), [[Terry Dischinger]] (1971), [[Earl Lloyd]] (1971–1972), [[Ray Scott (basketball)|Ray Scott]] (1972–1975), [[Herb Brown]] (1975–1977), [[Bob Kauffman]] (1977–1978), [[Dick Vitale]] (1978–1979), and [[Richie Adubato]] (1979–1980). Each coach was hired or fired in mid-season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/DET/|title=Detroit Pistons Franchise Index|website=Basketball-Reference.com}}</ref>  Of his time in Detroit, Lanier said, "I think '73–74 was our best team [52–30]. We had Dave [Bing], [[Stu Lantz]], [[John Mengelt]], [[Chris Ford]], [[Don Adams (basketball)|Don Adams]], [[Curtis Rowe]], [[George Trapp]]. But then for some reason, they traded six guys off that team before the following year. I just didn't feel we ever had the leadership... That was a rough time because, at the end of every year, you'd be so despondent."<ref name="Aschburner" />

Lanier's latter years in Detroit were marred by recurring injuries, as he never played more than 64 games in any of his last four seasons as a Piston.

In his ten seasons with the Detroit Pistons, Lanier averaged a double-double 22.7 points, 11.8 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.0 blocks and 1.2 steals in 681 games. Lanier is the Pistons' all-time leader in scoring average (22.7 ppg); he ranks second in total rebounds (8,063), third in total points (15,488), and was voted to seven All-Star games.<ref name="nba.com1"/><ref name="basketball-reference.com2">{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/laniebo01.html|title=Bob Lanier Stats|website=Basketball-Reference.com|access-date=March 3, 2019|archive-date=April 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130403194328/http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/laniebo01.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Milwaukee Bucks (1980–1984) ===
On February 4, 1980, Lanier was traded by the Pistons to the Milwaukee Bucks for [[Kent Benson]] and a 1980 first-round draft pick (which the Pistons used to select [[Larry Drew]]).<ref name="basketball-reference.com2"/>  On April 20 of that year, Lanier scored 19 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in a Game 7 loss against the [[Seattle SuperSonics]] in the Western Conference Semifinals (the final season for the Bucks in that conference).<ref>{{cite web |title=Milwaukee Bucks at Seattle SuperSonics Box Score, April 20, 1980 |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198004200SEA.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511170949/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198004200SEA.html |website=Basketball-Reference.com |archive-date=May 11, 2022}}</ref>

On May 5, 1982, Lanier's 27 points led the Bucks to a Game 5 playoff victory against the [[Philadelphia 76ers]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Milwaukee Bucks at Philadelphia 76ers Box Score, May 5, 1982 |url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198205050PHI.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511171321/https://www.basketball-reference.com/boxscores/198205050PHI.html |website=Basketball-Reference.com |archive-date=May 11, 2022}}</ref> The Bucks eventually lost the series. Lanier's 27 points represented his highest single post-season game point total for the Bucks.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bob Lanier Highest Scoring Games in the Playoffs |url=https://www.landofbasketball.com/nba_players_stats/top_pts/bob_lanier_pl.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511171610/https://www.landofbasketball.com/nba_players_stats/top_pts/bob_lanier_pl.htm |website=LandOfBasketball.com |archive-date=May 11, 2022}}</ref>  In Lanier's five seasons with the Bucks, they won the Midwest Division championship each year under Coach [[Don Nelson]], with Lanier playing alongside teammates [[Marques Johnson]], [[Sidney Moncrief]], [[Quinn Buckner]], [[Junior Bridgeman]], and [[Dave Cowens]]. Still highly effective, but with aging knees, Lanier played a key role with the Bucks while averaging nearly 10 minutes less per game in his Milwaukee tenure that he had in Detroit (36.2 to 26.8).<ref name="basketball-reference.com2"/>

Of going to Milwaukee, Lanier said, "I wanted the trade. I got to Milwaukee... and the people gave me a standing ovation and really made me feel welcome. It was the start of a positive change. I just wish I had played with that kind of talent around me when I was young. But if I had had Marques [Johnson] and Sidney [Moncrief] and all of them around me? Damn."<ref name="basketball-reference.com1"/>  Lanier officially retired from the Milwaukee Bucks on September 24, 1984.<ref name="basketball-reference.com2"/> He cited reoccurring knee injuries as the reason for his retirement.<ref name="exnba.com">{{cite web|url=https://exnba.com/articles-news/bob-lanier-on-his-career-life-what-he-hate-about-today-nba/|title = Bob Lanier on his career, life, what he hates about today's NBA|website=exnba.com|date = September 11, 2018}}</ref>  In 278 games with the Bucks, Lanier averaged 26 minutes, 13.5 points, 5.9 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.0 steals per game. He played in the 1982 All-Star Game with Milwaukee.<ref name="basketball-reference.com2"/>  During Lanier's five-season tenure, the Bucks advanced as far as the Eastern Conference Finals twice.<ref name="basketball-reference.com2"/>

===NBA career summary===
Over his fourteen-season NBA career, Lanier played in 959 games, averaging 20.1 points, 10.1 rebounds, 3.1 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.1 steals per game. He scored 19,248 total points and had 9,698 total rebounds.<ref name="basketball-reference.com2"/>  In 67 career playoff games, Lanier averaged 18.6 points, 9.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, and 1.5 blocks. Lanier played in eight NBA All-Star Games; he never appeared in an NBA Finals game.<ref name="nba.com1"/><ref name="basketball-reference.com2"/>

"Bob probably wasn't as good a total player as he could have been because of the knee injury," said Hall of Famer [[Willis Reed]]. Reed acknowledged that Lanier "probably was one of the best all-around big men ever to play the game of basketball."<ref name="auto"/>  Lanier was known across the league as being tenacious, and was referred to as an "enforcer" due to his physical style of play. His intensity sometimes spilled over from playing into fighting, as he knocked out Atlanta's [[Bob Christian (basketball)|Bob Christian]] in 1971 and broke the nose of Detroit's [[Bill Laimbeer]] in 1983.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1977/10/31/nobody-but-nobody-is-going-to-hurt-my-teammates|title = 'Nobody, but nobody, is going to hurt my teammates'|website=SI.com |last=Papanek |first=John |date=October 31, 1977}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2022/05/11/bob-lanier-detroit-pistons-nba-isiah-thomas-dave-bing/9737627002/|title=Detroit Pistons legends remember Bob Lanier as fierce, kind-hearted, crucial to NBA legacy|first=Omari |last=Sankofa |website=Detroit Free Press|date=May 11, 2022}}</ref>  In the [[1977 NBA Playoffs]], in the third game of a best of three series against [[Golden State Warriors]], the game was marred by a 3rd quarter fight with [[Charles Dudley (basketball)|Charles Dudley]] of Golden State tangling with [[Eric Money]] of the Pistons. The fight spilled into the stands as a Warriors fan punching Piston [[M. L. Carr]] and Lanier then decking the fan.  Reflective of the different era in the game, personal fouls were called on Dudley and Money, and the game resumed with the Warriors winning 109–101.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.basketballnetwork.net/old-school/one-of-the-wildest-nba-fights-you-never-heard-of | title=One of the wildest NBA fights you never heard of | date=August 6, 2021 }}</ref>

==Coaching career==
===Golden State Warriors (1994–1995)===
From [[1994–95 NBA season|1994–95]], Lanier served as an assistant coach for the [[Golden State Warriors]] under his former coach, [[Don Nelson]]. After Nelson resigned, Lanier was named interim head coach on February 13, 1995. He compiled a 12–25 win–loss record in 37 games and the Warriors finished 26–56 overall.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/teams/GSW/1995_transactions.html|title=1994–95 Golden State Warriors Transactions|website=Basketball-Reference.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.basketball-reference.com/coaches/laniebo01c.html|title=Bob Lanier|website=Basketball-Reference.com}}</ref>

==Other ventures==

Lanier owned and operated Bob Lanier Enterprises, Inc., a promotional marketing company which was a member of the Proforma network.<ref name=asi>{{cite web|title=Bob Lanier Enterprises Joins Proforma|url=https://www.asicentral.com/news/newsletters/promogram/march-2015/bob-lanier-enterprises-joins-proforma/|work=asicentral.com|date=March 19, 2015|publisher=The Advertising Specialty Institute|access-date=March 19, 2015}}</ref>

Lanier was a spokesperson and chairman of the NBA's "Stay In School" program (later renamed Read to Achieve) from 1989 to 1994.<ref name="nba.com1"/>

From 2005 to 2022, Lanier was the NBA Cares Global Ambassador. Lanier routinely worked with youth-serving programs that supported education, youth, and family development, and health-related causes.<ref name="excelisys.com">{{cite web|url=http://thurgood-marshall.excelisys.com/our-events/2017-annual-awards-gala/special-guest/bob-lanier|title=Bob Lanier|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043913/http://thurgood-marshall.excelisys.com/our-events/2017-annual-awards-gala/special-guest/bob-lanier|archive-date=March 6, 2019|publisher=Thurgood Marshall College Fund}}</ref>

==In popular culture==
Lanier appeared as a member of the Detroit team in the cult classic basketball film ''[[The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh]]'' in 1979 alongside Pistons teammates [[Chris Ford]], [[Eric Money]], [[John Shumate]], [[Kevin Porter (basketball, born 1950)|Kevin Porter]], and [[Leon Douglas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0079154/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_lk1|title=The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh|date=March 4, 1981|via=IMDb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thefishthatsavedpittsburgh.com/|title=The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh|website=The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh}}</ref>

Lanier was hired as basketball coach for the film ''[[White Men Can't Jump]]''.<ref>{{cite news |title=The 50 sport films you must see - #mybestsportfilm |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/52072024/page/4 |access-date=18 July 2023 |work=BBC |date=5 April 2020}}</ref> Lanier was impressed with lead actors [[Woody Harrelson]] and [[Wesley Snipes]], suggesting both reached a Division II college basketball skill level. He also noted that between the two of them, Harrelson was the better player.

Lanier was also mentioned in the 1980 movie "[[Airplane!]]" when an exasperated [[Kareem Abdul Jabbar]] admonished Joey, "Tell your old man to drag [[Bill Walton|Walton]] and Lanier up and down the court for 48 minutes!"

==Personal life and death==
[[File:US Navy 030619-N-7849S-007 National Basketball Association (NBA) Legend and Hall of Fame member Bob Lanier signs autographs for USS Nimitz (CVN-68) and Carrier Air Wing Eleven (CVW-11) sailors during a recent United Services Or.jpg|thumb|right|Lanier signing autographs for USS Nimitz sailors in 2003]]
Lanier was married and divorced twice and had five children: Walter “Jack” Lanier, Kimberly Lanier, Tiffany Lanier, Robert Lanier III, and [[Khalia Lanier]]. At the time of his death, he had 7 grandchildren.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hall of Famer, NBA global ambassador Bob Lanier dies at 73 |url=https://www.nba.com/news/hall-of-famer-nba-global-ambassador-bob-lanier-dies-at-73 |access-date=2022-05-15 |website=www.nba.com |language=en}}</ref>

The knee injuries that plagued Lanier's later career worsened as he aged. He underwent several surgeries after his retirement, the last being in 2017.<ref name="exnba.com"/>

At the [[Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame]] in [[Springfield, Massachusetts]], visitors are able to compare the size of their foot to that of Lanier. The largest shoe ever created by shoe company [[Allen Edmonds]] was a size 22 for Lanier.<ref name="nba.com1"/>

In September 2018, Lanier shared one of his most notable NBA memories: "...when I was still playing in Milwaukee and I was getting gas at a station on, I think it was Center St. A guy came up to me and said, 'My dad is sick. And you're his favorite player. Could you come up to the house and say hello to him? The house is right next door.' So I went over, I went upstairs. The guy was laying there in his bed. His son said, 'This is Bob,' and he was like, 'I know.' And he just had a little smile, a twinkle in his eye. And he grabbed my hand and squeezed it. And we said a little prayer. About two weeks later, his dad had died. And he left a card at the Bucks office, just saying 'Thank you for making one of my dad's final days into a good day.'"<ref name="exnba.com"/>

Lanier died on May 10, 2022, after a brief illness.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33895398/nba-great-bob-lanier-hall-fame-center-detroit-pistons-milwaukee-bucks-dies-73|title=HOFer Lanier, 8-time NBA All-Star, dies at 73|date=May 11, 2022|website=ESPN.com|accessdate=May 10, 2022}}</ref> He was 73.

==Honors==
* Inducted into the St. Bonaventure Athletics Hall of Fame in 1975.<ref name="sbu.edu">{{Cite journal|url=https://gobonnies.sbu.edu/sports/m-baskbl/MensBasketballRetiredNumbers|title=Bob Lanier|website=bonnies.prestosports.com|date=May 27, 2022|access-date=March 3, 2019|archive-date=March 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044049/https://gobonnies.sbu.edu/sports/m-baskbl/MensBasketballRetiredNumbers|url-status=dead}}</ref> 
* St. Bonaventure retired Lanier's No. 31 jersey.<ref name="sbu.edu"/> 
* In 1978, Lanier was selected by the Professional Basketball Writers Association (PBWA) as the recipient of the [[J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award]] for outstanding community service.<ref name="excelisys.com"/>
* In 1981, the [[YMCA]] organization presented Lanier with the "[[Jackie Robinson]] Award." The award is given for service to youth, good citizenship and leadership.<ref name="excelisys.com"/>
* Lanier was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.buffalosportshallfame.com/member/bob-lanier/|title=Bob Lanier |website=Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame|date=July 20, 2012 }}</ref>
* Lanier's No. 16 jersey has been retired by both the Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks. The Bucks retired his jersey in 1984. The Pistons retired his jersey in 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/bucks/history/retired-numbers|title=Retired Numbers|website=Milwaukee Bucks}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://motorcitymuckraker.com/2014/01/09/jan-9-1993-detroit-pistons-retire-bob-laniers-no-16-jersey/|title=Jan. 9, 1993: Detroit Pistons retire Bob Lanier's No. 16 Jersey |website=Motor City Muckraker|last=Coleman |first=Ken |date=January 9, 2014}}</ref>
* Lanier was enshrined into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992.<ref name="hoophall.com"/>
* In 2000, Lanier was the recipient of the Congressional "Horizon & Leadership Award." The award is presented annually by the Joint Leadership Commission of the [[United States Congress]] and the Board of Directors of The Congressional Award Foundation to individuals who have made an exceptional impact on the lives of America's young people.<ref name="excelisys.com"/>
* In 2006, Lanier was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collegebasketballexperience.com/members/robert-j-lanier/|title=Robert J. Lanier|website=CollegeBasketballExperience.com}}</ref>
* In 2007, Lanier received the [[National Civil Rights Museum]] Sports Legacy Award. It was awarded for his significant contribution to civil and human rights internationally in the spirit of Dr. [[Martin Luther King Jr.]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nba.com/grizzlies/news/mlk_day_game_celebration-071227.html|title=Grizzlies to honor Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Bob Lanier as part of the Sixth Annual MLK Jr. Day Game and Celebration|website=NBA.com|date=December 28, 2007}}</ref>
* The basketball court at Lanier's ''alma mater'', St. Bonaventure, was named in his honor in 2007. "Bob Lanier Court" is in the Reilly Center Arena. Said the 2007 press release, "Bob Lanier elevated an already established St. Bona basketball program to the next level and is an ideal ambassador of the sport. When we were thinking about names for the court he was the obvious choice and a perfect fit."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://stbonavenue.com/bob-lanier-court-reilly-center-arena/|title=Bob Lanier Court (Reilly Center Arena) |website= StBonaVenue.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sbu.edu/support-sbu/advancement-news/2007/07/25/new-reilly-center-court-to-be-named-for-bob-lanier|title=New Reilly Center Court to be named for Bob Lanier|website=SBU.edu}}</ref>
* Lanier was named co-recipient of the 2009 "The [[Mannie Jackson]] – Basketball's Human Spirit Award." The award was given by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in recognition of his passion for the game of basketball and his continued commitment to community service.<ref name="excelisys.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoophall.com/awards/mannie-jackson-basketballs-human-spirit-award/|title=The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame : The Mannie Jackson – Basketball's Human Spirit Award|website=www.HoopHall.com}}</ref>
* Following Lanier's death, Detroit Pistons players wore a black stripe with No. 16 across the right shoulder (as seen from the front) of their jerseys for the 2022–23 NBA season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlive.com/pistons/2022/09/pistons-to-honor-bob-lanier-with-16-jersey-stripe-tribute-night.html|title=Pistons to honor Bob Lanier with '16′ jersey stripe, tribute night|website=mlive.com|date=September 27, 2022}}</ref>

==NBA career statistics==
{{NBA player statistics legend}}

===Regular season===
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1970}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1970–71 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit]]
| '''82''' || {{sort|-|—}} || 24.6 || .455 || {{sort|-|—}} || .726 || 8.1 || 1.8 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 15.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1971}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1971–72 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit]]
| 80 || {{sort|-|—}} || 38.7 || .493 || {{sort|-|—}} || .768 || 14.2 || 3.1 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || '''25.7'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1972}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1972–73 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit]]
| 81 || {{sort|-|—}} || 38.9 || .490 || {{sort|-|—}} || .773 || '''14.9''' || 3.2 || {{sort|-|—}} || {{sort|-|—}} || 23.8
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1973}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1973–74 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit]]
| 81 || {{sort|-|—}} || 37.6 || .504 || {{sort|-|—}} || .797 || 13.3 || 4.2 || '''1.4''' || '''3.0''' || 22.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1974}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1974–75 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit]]
| 76 || {{sort|-|—}} || '''39.3''' || .510 || {{sort|-|—}} || .802 || 12.0 || '''4.6''' || 1.0 || 2.3 || 24.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1975}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1975–76 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit]]
| 64 || {{sort|-|—}} || 36.9 || .532 || {{sort|-|—}} || .768 || 11.7 || 3.4 || 1.2 || 1.3 || 21.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1976}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1976–77 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit]]
| 64 || {{sort|-|—}} || 38.2 || .534 || {{sort|-|—}} || '''.818''' || 11.6 || 3.3 || 1.1 || 2.0 || 25.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1977}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1977–78 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit]]
| 63 || {{sort|-|—}} || 36.7 || .537 || {{sort|-|—}} || .772 || 11.3 || 3.4 || 1.3 || 1.5 || 24.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1978}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1978–79 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit]]
| 53 || {{sort|-|—}} || 34.6 || .515 || {{sort|-|—}} || .749 || 9.3 || 2.6 || .9 || 1.4 || 23.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1979}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1979–80 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit]]
| 37 || {{sort|-|—}} || 37.6 || .546 || .000 || .781 || 10.1 || 3.3 || 1.0 || 1.6 || 21.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1979}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1979–80 Milwaukee Bucks season|Milwaukee]]
| 26 || {{sort|-|—}} || 28.4 || .519 || '''1.000''' || .785 || 6.9 || 2.4 || 1.4 || 1.1 || 15.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1980}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1980–81 Milwaukee Bucks season|Milwaukee]]
| 67 || {{sort|-|—}} || 26.2 || .525 || '''1.000''' || .751 || 6.2 || 2.7 || 1.1 || 1.2 || 14.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1981}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1981–82 Milwaukee Bucks season|Milwaukee]]
| 74 || 72 || 26.8 || .558 || .000 || .752 || 5.2 || 3.0 || 1.0 || .8 || 13.5
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1982}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1982–83 Milwaukee Bucks season|Milwaukee]]
| 39 || 35 || 25.1 || .491 || .000 || .684 || 5.1 || 2.7 || .9 || .6 || 10.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1983}}
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1983–84 Milwaukee Bucks season|Milwaukee]]
| 72 || 72 || 27.9 || '''.572''' || .000 || .708 || 6.3 || 2.6 || .8 || .7 || 13.6
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 959 || {{sort|-|—}} || 33.5 || .514 || .154 || .767 || 10.1 || 3.1 || 1.1 || 1.5 || 20.1
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|All-Star
| 8 || 0 || 15.1 || .582 || {{sort|-|—}} || .833 || 5.6 || 1.5 || .5 || .6 || 9.2
{{s-end}}

===Playoffs===
{{NBA player statistics start}}
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1974 NBA playoffs|1974]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1973–74 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit]]
| 7 || {{sort|-|—}} || '''43.3''' || .507 || {{sort|-|—}} || .789 || 15.3 || 3.0 || .6 || 2.0 || 26.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1975 NBA playoffs|1975]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1974–75 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit]]
| 3 || {{sort|-|—}} || 42.7 || .510 || {{sort|-|—}} || .750 || 10.7 || '''6.3''' || 1.3 || '''4.0''' || 20.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1976 NBA playoffs|1976]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1975–76 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit]]
| 9 || {{sort|-|—}} || 39.9 || .552 || {{sort|-|—}} || '''.900''' || 12.7 || 3.3 || .9 || 2.3 || 26.1
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1977 NBA playoffs|1977]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1976–77 Detroit Pistons season|Detroit]]
| 3 || {{sort|-|—}} || 39.3 || '''.630''' || {{sort|-|—}} || .842 || '''16.7''' || 2.0 || 1.0 || 2.3 || '''28.0'''
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1980 NBA playoffs|1980]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1979–80 Milwaukee Bucks season|Milwaukee]]
| 7 || {{sort|-|—}} || 36.6 || .515 || {{sort|-|—}} || .738 || 9.3 || 4.4 || 1.0 || 1.1 || 19.3
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1981 NBA playoffs|1981]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1980–81 Milwaukee Bucks season|Milwaukee]]
| 7 || {{sort|-|—}} || 33.7 || .588 || {{sort|-|—}} || .719 || 7.4 || 4.0 || '''1.7''' || 1.1 || 17.6
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1982 NBA playoffs|1982]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1981–82 Milwaukee Bucks season|Milwaukee]]
| 6 || {{sort|-|—}} || 35.3 || .513 || .000 || .560 || 7.5 || 3.7 || 1.3 || .8 || 16.0
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1983 NBA playoffs|1983]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1982–83 Milwaukee Bucks season|Milwaukee]]
| 9 || {{sort|-|—}} || 27.8 || .573 || {{sort|-|—}} || .600 || 7.0 || 2.6 || .6 || 1.6 || 13.7
|-
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1984 NBA playoffs|1984]]
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1983–84 Milwaukee Bucks season|Milwaukee]]
| '''16''' || {{sort|-|—}} || 31.2 || .480 || {{sort|-|—}} || .886 || 7.3 || 3.4 || .7 || .6 || 12.7
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 67 || {{sort|-|—}} || 35.2 || .532 || .000 || .768 || 9.6 || 3.5 || .9 || 1.5 || 18.6
|- class="sortbottom"
| colspan="13" style="text-align: center;"|<small>'''Source:'''<ref name="basketball-reference.com2"/></small>
{{s-end}}

==Head coaching record==
===NBA===
{{NBA coach statistics start}}
|- 
| style="text-align:left;"|[[1994–95 Golden State Warriors season|Golden State]]
| style="text-align:left;"|{{nbay|1994}}
| 37||12||25||{{Winning percentage|12|25}}|| style="text-align:center;"|6th in [[Pacific Division (NBA)|Pacific]]||—||—||—||—
| style="text-align:center;"|Missed playoffs
|- class="sortbottom"
| style="text-align:center;" colspan="2"|Career
| 37||12||25||{{Winning percentage|12|25}}||&nbsp;||0||0||0||{{Winning percentage|0|0}}||&nbsp;
{{s-end}}


==See also==
* [[List of National Basketball Association career rebounding leaders]]
* [[List of NCAA Division I men's basketball players with 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{basketballstats |nba=600005 |bbr=l/laniebo01}}
* {{Basketballhof|bob-lanier|Bob Lanier}}
* [http://www.nba.com/history/players/lanier_bio.html Bob Lanier bio]

{{Navboxes|list1=
{{1968 NCAA Men's Basketball Consensus All-Americans}}
{{1970 NCAA Men's Basketball Consensus All-Americans}}
{{1970 NBA draft}}
{{NBA NumberOne Draft Picks}}
{{NBA All-Star Game MVP Award}}
{{J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award}}
{{NBPA presidents}}
{{Golden State Warriors coach navbox}}
{{Detroit Pistons}}
{{Milwaukee Bucks}}
{{1992 Basketball HOF}}
{{Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame members}}
{{NBA Radio Network}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Lanier, Bob}}
[[Category:1948 births]]
[[Category:2022 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:All-American college men's basketball players]]
[[Category:American men's basketball players]]
[[Category:Basketball coaches from New York (state)]]
[[Category:Basketball players from Buffalo, New York]]
[[Category:Centers (basketball)]]
[[Category:Detroit Pistons draft picks]]
[[Category:Detroit Pistons players]]
[[Category:First overall NBA draft picks]]
[[Category:Golden State Warriors head coaches]]
[[Category:Milwaukee Bucks players]]
[[Category:Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:National Basketball Players Association presidents]]
[[Category:National Collegiate Basketball Hall of Fame inductees]]
[[Category:NBA All-Stars]]
[[Category:NBA broadcasters]]
[[Category:NBA players with retired numbers]]
[[Category:New York Nets draft picks]]
[[Category:St. Bonaventure Bonnies men's basketball players]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportsmen]]