The basketball world mourns the passing of Lenny Wilkens, a legendary figure whose influence profoundly shaped the Toronto Raptors during a pivotal era. His death was announced by his family on Sunday, leaving a void in the sport he helped define.
A Hall of Fame Career Comes to Toronto
Lenny Wilkens was a basketball icon long before his arrival in Toronto. A three-time inductee into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, his resume was unparalleled. He led the Seattle SuperSonics to an NBA championship in 1979 and was an assistant coach for the legendary 1992 U.S. Olympic 'Dream Team'. When the Raptors franchise found itself in turmoil, it was this immense credibility that made Wilkens the ideal candidate to restore order.
Many around the league believed it was then-NBA commissioner David Stern who recommended, if not insisted, that the Raptors hire Wilkens as head coach. The team had just made its first playoff appearance in 2000, only to be swept by the New York Knicks. The franchise needed a steady hand, a calming presence who wouldn't rock the boat. Wilkens was that man.
Mentoring a Generation and Forging History
Upon his hiring, Wilkens inherited a team led by the electrifying Vince Carter. Under his guidance, Carter's star continued to rise, but perhaps his most significant impact was on point guard Alvin Williams. In a twist of fate, Williams had nearly been traded to Boston, but the deal fell through after a physical revealed a knee issue. Wilkens placed his trust in Williams, a decision that would pay historic dividends.
It was under Wilkens' leadership that the Raptors achieved their first major milestone: winning a playoff series. In a iconic moment at Madison Square Garden, Alvin Williams hit a game-sealing jumper from the right wing, clinching the series against the Knicks. This victory, the franchise's first-ever playoff series win, is now seen as a foundational step that ultimately paved the way for the 2019 NBA title.
The peak of the Wilkens era came during the 2001 playoffs, where the Raptors pushed Allen Iverson and the Philadelphia 76ers to a dramatic Game 7 in the Eastern Conference semifinals. The series ended with Vince Carter's buzzer-beating attempt rimming out directly in front of the Toronto bench. While the team fell short of the Finals, that season remains a legendary chapter in Raptors history.
A Lasting Legacy and a Call for Recognition
Wilkens' time in Toronto was not without personal hardship. His trusted confidant and top assistant, Stan Albeck, suffered a debilitating stroke in the Raptors' locker room just 30 minutes before a game against the Miami Heat in 2001. Albeck, who never fully recovered, has since passed away, as has player Eric Montross. With Wilkens' passing, two of the ten head coaches in Raptors history are now gone.
Following the death of the franchise's first coach, Brendan Malone, the team drew criticism for not holding a ceremony when his son, Michael, visited with the Denver Nuggets. The author argues that a similar oversight with Wilkens would be completely stupid. A fitting tribute is suggested for the Raptors' next home game, potentially involving Dell Curry—whom Wilkens coached in Toronto and who now works for the Charlotte Hornets—and Alvin Williams, now a Raptors analyst.
While Wilkens may not have been the most successful coach in Raptors history in terms of pure wins, he was unquestionably the right leader at a critical time. He provided the stability and experience necessary to restore the franchise's image and build a competitive culture. The history of the Toronto Raptors cannot be told without acknowledging the profound and indelible mark left by Lenny Wilkens. May he rest in peace.
