BOB LANIER
Short shorts were definitely "in" for Detroit Pistons center Bob Lanier. Lanier, center for the Detroit Pistons, flopped himself down on the announcers table while a San Francisco Warrior took a technical foul shot. Jerry Lucas of the Warriors bends over get a towel from the Piston bench. PHOTO FROM MARCH 1971
(AP)
FLINT, MI - The Flint that Detroit Pistons legend Bob Lanier remembers from the 1970s is far different than the one being portrayed around the world with the city's water crisis.
In those days, Lanier would occasionally roll into town with his former Pistons teammate and friend Justus Thigpen -- the city's first NBA player.
Thigpen joined the Pistons midway through the 1972-73 season, playing 18 games. But more importantly formed a bond with the rising star during his third year in the league.
"Flint was a bustling town way back when I used to come here and visit because the GM plant and everything was here," said Lanier, a NBA Hall of Famer. "Two families could make $75-$150,000 per year, live well and send your kids to school. But things have changed."
The city has been at the center of international attention after it was discovered the city's drinking water was poisoned following a switch of the city's drinking source. Bottled water has been trucked in from outside the state while residents have been warned to use filters to avoid ingesting lead.
Detroit Pistons legend Bob Lanier, back right, stands for a picture after $500,000 is delivered to United Way of Genesee County from the FlintNOW activation on Friday, Feb. 5, 2016. Other pictured (left to right) are: Jamie Gaskin, CEO United Way of Genesee County; Tony Lasher, Executive Director of American Red Cross; Kathi Horton, President Community Foundation of Greater Flint; Earl Cureton, Pistons Legend; Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha, Hurely Children's Hospital and Arn Tellem, Vice Chairman of Palace Sports & Entertainment.
Lanier was on hand Friday afternoon at the United Way of Genesee County as a special assistant to NBA commissioner Adam Silver when the United Way received a $500,000 check from the Pistons' "FlintNOW" effort at Thursday night's win over the New York Knicks on national television.
Pistons owner Tom Gores, a native of Flint, announced his FlintNOW relief effort last week. It is dedicated to assisting Flint residents that have been exposed to high levels of led in the city's water.
Jamie Gaskin, United Way of Genesee County's CEO, accepted the check in the front lobby from vice chairman of Palace Sports & Entertainment Arn Tellem.
Piston legend Earl Cureton, executive director of American Red Cross Tony Lasher, Community Foundation of Greater Flint President Kathi Horton and Dr. Mona Hanna-Attisha of Hurley Children's Hospital were also present.
Hanna-Attisha, 39, was the lead researcher responsible for finding elevated levels of lead in the blood of Flint infants and children from the toxic Flint water in September. She was honored at Thursday's Pistons game with courtside seats next to Gaskin and Flint Mayor Karen Weaver as well as a commemorative Pistons jersey with her name and No. 16.
"My husband wants to hang it," Hanna-Attisha laughed.
Lanier likes what Gores is doing with his FlintNOW Foundation and his $10 million pledge through a private sector campaign. He said he wants to see the money get used for economic redevelopment.
To Lanier, Flint will always be home to some standout basketball players even in its current state. He last saw Thigpen at a Pistons-related function a few weeks ago. In addition to Thigpen, Lanier said he also knew former Michigan State and NBA standout Terry Furlow.
"It's difficult when you hear about it and you keep reading about it," Lanier said. "It's a sad situation."