Al Attles, a former player, coach, and general manager of the Warriors, has passed away at the age of 87.

 Al Attles, a distinguished Hall of Famer who led the 1975 NBA champion Warriors as head coach, has passed away at the age of 87. His remarkable association with the organization spanned over sixty years, during which he served as a player, general manager, and most recently, as a team ambassador. The Warriors announced on Wednesday that Attles died at his home in the San Francisco Bay Area on Tuesday, surrounded by his family. Known by the moniker "The Destroyer" due to his aggressive playing style, Attles had a deep affection for the Warriors, the only team he played for after being selected in the fifth round of the 1960 draft when the franchise was based in Philadelphia. This tenure represents the longest continuous association with a single franchise in NBA history. Over the course of 11 seasons, the 6-foot guard recorded averages of 8.9 points, 3.5 assists, and 3.5 rebounds across 711 games, and the franchise honored him by retiring his No. 16 jersey.

"Alvin leaves behind a profound legacy within the game of basketball and the Bay Area community, but especially as a family man and humanitarian," the Warriors said in a statement. "We mourn his loss alongside his wife, Wilhelmina, son Alvin, and all who knew and loved him."

 Attles, recognized as one of the pioneering Black head coaches in the NBA, experienced some of the most remarkable games across various eras. He participated in Wilt Chamberlain's historic 100-point game for the Philadelphia Warriors in Hershey, Pennsylvania, on March 2, 1962, during which Attles successfully converted all eight of his field goal attempts, contributing 17 points. Additionally, he coached Hall of Famer Rick Barry on the day Barry scored 64 points against Portland on March 26, 1974, and observed Klay Thompson achieve 60 points in just three quarters in December 2016.

"My heart is heavy today with the loss of my mentor and friend. Al was my roommate during my rookie season in the league. He taught me valuable lessons on being a professional that couldn't be learned on the court," Barry said in a statement released by the Warriors. "Later, as our coach during the 1975 championship season, he exemplified leadership, togetherness and a keen strategic ability that enabled us to succeed at the highest level."

Al Attles held various positions within the Warriors organization following his selection in the 1960 draft. During his tenure as head coach from 1970 to 1983, he guided the team to victory in the 1975 NBA championship, achieving a four-game sweep against the Washington Bullets. With a total of 557 coaching victories, he holds the record for the most wins in the franchise's history. Subsequently, he served as the general manager for three years and took on roles in the front office, including vice president and consultant. In 2019, he was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Additionally, in 2014, he received the John R. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award from the Hall of Fame.

"Most of the great organizations with a lot of history have one player who everybody associates with that franchise," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "Al Attles is that guy for us. He's the face of our franchise for many generations of Warriors fans. We're lucky to have him."

Attles refrained from comparing the remarkable performances he had the privilege of witnessing firsthand. Each era of basketball presented its own unique challenges. He emphasized the importance of celebrating and appreciating the numerous significant milestones achieved.

"I've seen a 100-point game," Attles said from his seat during a late timeout on Thompson's big night. "Rick was such a great player, and he cared about winning. In order to score the number of points he scored, you have to have help from your teammates. I try to look at them individually because once you start comparing, someone is always going to be No. 2. Let's give him his credit."

Attles humorously remarked on how he facilitated Chamberlain's scoring, claiming credit for the numerous points. In reality, he recorded six assists, whereas Guy Rodgers contributed 20 of the team's total 39 assists in the decisive 169-147 victory over the New York Knicks. "I believe I had 50," Attles joked about his assists in that record-setting game. "But honestly, it doesn't matter. The important thing is that we won."

"Because I played with Wilt, people always ask, 'What do you think about Wilt scoring 100 points?' I say, 'Give him credit for what he did then.' It's like apples and oranges. They're both good fruit. It's a matter of what you like. I was very close to Wilt, but you have to enjoy what they did that night. I enjoy any great performance."

Following a significant absence during the majority of the 2018-19 season, Attles made a triumphant return for Game 4 of the 2019 NBA Finals against the Toronto Raptors, greeted by enthusiastic cheers and celebration. His absence had left a noticeable void, as former center Clifford Ray regarded Attles as a "father figure to all of us," emphasizing that Black NBA players often found it easier to learn from him due to their shared cultural experiences. "He simplified the game for us," Ray remarked. "He avoided overwhelming us with excessive technical details and paperwork. The structure was clear, and we understood our roles." Born on November 7, 1936, in Newark, New Jersey, Attles was honored as a co-recipient of the 2017 National Basketball Coaches Association's Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1993. Warriors owner Joe Lacob remarked on Attles' Hall of Fame recognition, stating, "Alvin's name has become synonymous with the Warriors franchise, having devoted his entire adult life to our organization, dating back to our final seasons in Philadelphia. He has excelled in every capacity over the past 60 years, from player to coach to general manager, and most recently, as an ambassador, all while exhibiting remarkable class and humility."