Bob Lanier Had The Largest Shoe Size In NBA History Before Shaq

When his playing career came to an end, Lanier opened a marketing firm but remained heavily active in basketball. Lanier was an assistant — and later the interim head coach — for the Golden State Warriors in the 1990s, and he worked with the NBA as a global ambassador, working to grow both the league and the sport of basketball, per The New York Times.

Lanier worked closely with current NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, as well as his predecessor, David Stern. Following Lanier's May 10 death, Silver released a statement honoring the Hall of Famer: "Bob Lanier was a Hall of Fame player and among the most talented centers in the history of the NBA, but his impact on the league went far beyond what he accomplished on the court," Silver said. "For more than 30 years, Bob served as our global ambassador and as a special assistant to David Stern and then me, traveling the world to teach the game's values and make a positive impact on young people everywhere."

Silver's comments echoed something often mentioned about Lanier: Despite his ferocious on-court presence, he was a kind, friendly guy. "I learned so much from Bob by simply watching how he connected with people. He was a close friend who I will miss dearly, as will so many of his colleagues across the NBA who were inspired by his generosity," Silver said, per the NBA.

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