Thurmond memorial full of joy, laughter, music and tears
SAN FRANCISCO — Despite once earning his place among the 50 greatest players in NBA history, former Warriors star Nate Thurmond spent much of his life underappreciated.
That wasn’t the case Monday.
On what would have been his 75th birthday, mourners packed into his star-studded memorial service at Providence Baptist Church to hail Thurmond for his talent and, more often, for his kindness.
“He was a Hall of Famer who rubbed shoulders with ordinary men,” as longtime friend Nathaniel Davis said.
Thurmond died July 16 after battling leukemia for several months. A seven-time All-Star during his Warriors playing days (1963-74), he remained a beloved community ambassador with the team for more than 30 years.
“He was just sort of a humble, regular guy,” former Warriors star Chris Mullin said outside the church after Monday’s service. “He’s just someone you always felt good being around.”
Famous Warriors such as Mullin, Steve Kerr, Al Attles
and Tom Meschery dotted the crowd, along with former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown.
But by Thurmond’s own design, basketball represented only a fraction of his memorial. He planned this service in the months before he died, selecting everything from the speakers to the music.
The result was a morning that tilted toward joyful, with laughter outnumbering tears by a comfortable margin. The uplifting songs — such as “If Nothing Else, Thank You,” “Amazing Grace” and “You’ve Been So Faithful” — kept the mood light.
Of Thurmond’s six selected speakers, only one — Jim Barnett — came from the basketball world. The former teammate and current Warriors broadcaster spoke of a gentle giant who went toe-to-toe with Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
“He was respectful of opponents,” Barnett recalled. “I asked him one time why he never dunked the ball. He always laid it in.
“He said, ‘I’m not out here to try to embarrass anybody.’ ”
It took a lot to make Thurmond angry, but Barnett did it once. Of all things, Barnett drew the big man’s ire by showing up for a charity luncheon looking a little too casual.
“I dressed in some very nice slacks. I had a nice shirt,” Barnett said. “But prior to the luncheon, Nate Thurmond took me aside and he reprimanded me.
“He said, ‘Jim. Wherever you go, when people see you, they see the Warriors. I don’t want you to ever come to one of these events again without wearing a coat and tie.’ And I’m telling you, I knew not to argue with him.”
Thurmond was the third pick in the 1963 NBA draft and spent 11 of his 14 seasons with the Warriors. In 1967-68, the player nicknamed “Nate the Great” averaged 20.5 points and 22.0 rebounds. In doing so, he joined Chamberlain (who did it six times) as the only player to top the 20-20 plateau over a full season.
Thurmond also played for the Chicago Bulls and Cleveland Cavaliers before retiring after the 1976-77 season. In all, he was selected to the NBA’s All-Defensive team five times.
“Bill Russell is regarded as the greatest defensive center in the history of the NBA. No one argues with that,” Barnett said. “Nate Thurmond was his equal.”
Though nothing is official, discussions are under way in the Warriors front office to name a team award in Thurmond’s honor this season, likely something that salutes his defensive prowess.
Thurmond will also be honored with a moment of silence at Oracle Arena on Tuesday night before Team USA plays China in a basketball exhibition.
But as the memorial service made clear Monday, Thurmond continued to make an impact after his last shot.
Larry Harper, representing the Good Tidings Foundation, recalled Thurmond’s help in building courts for low-income communities. He was so gracious, Harper said, that the foundation now annually presents a Nate Thurmond Award for community service.
“God blessed Nate with a large body, but it wasn’t for basketball,” Harper said. “It was to make room for his giant heart.”
Thurmond is survived by his wife, Marci; his son, Adam; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Melissa Najda, a niece who spoke on behalf of the family, closed, tearfully, with a quote from Thurmond:
“Long after they’ve forgotten the last hook shot or blocked shot, if you’re a good person, to me, that’s the most important thing,” Najda said. “Happy birthday, Uncle Nate.”