Golden State Warriors icon Al Attles leaves the Court at age 87

SAN FRANCISCO

Lee Heidhues 8.22.2024

I was nearly in tears when I read of the passing of Golden State Warriors legend Al Attles at age 87. From the time I was 15 and the Warriors arrived in San Francisco I have been an avid follower.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Al_Attles

Nothing better exemplifies Al Attles career than the 1975 game four NBA finals playoff between the Warriors and Washington Bullets (now the Washington Wizards). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1975_NBA_Finals.

The on court brawl in Landover, Maryland which found Al Attles being ejected is one of the all time classic moments in Warriors history. Following his ejection the incensed Warriors proceeded to rally and win the game 96-95 to complete a four game sweep and with it the NBA championship.

Liz and I were living on Waller Street in the Haight-Ashbury neighborhood. Liz was pregnant with our soon to be born daughter, Atlanta. We did not have a television and listened to games on radio. Bill King was an audio television. His description of this moment is classic. It is attached.

https://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/warriors/article/al-attles-warriors-1975-title-coach-17815262.php?utm_source=marketing&utm_medium=copy-url-link&utm_campaign=article-share&hash=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuc2ZjaHJvbmljbGUuY29tL3Nwb3J0cy93YXJyaW9ycy9hcnRpY2xlL2FsLWF0dGxlcy13YXJyaW9ycy0xOTc1LXRpdGxlLWNvYWNoLTE3ODE1MjYyLnBocA%3D%3D&time=MTcyNDI5NTYwOTQzNw%3D%3D&rid=OTJhM2RhZWItNDMzYy00ZjMxLTgyMTQtZTU2ZjE2NDIzNDRl&sharecount=MA%3D%3D

Top photo: Al Attles, incensed that Washington Bullet Mike Riordan viciously fouled Rick Barry, argues with Richie Powers prior to his ejection from game four of the 1975 NBA playoffs