Kevin Duckworth: Dead at age 44

[tmtcsc]

Drafted by the Spurs -

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3553879

Kevin Duckworth, a two-time NBA All-Star who spent the majority of his 12 NBA seasons as the Portland Trail Blazers' center, has died. He was 44.

Duckworth died Monday in Kernville, Ore., near the coastal town of Lincoln City. His death was confirmed by the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office. Duckworth was in town as part of a Trail Blazers group hosting a free kids basketball clinic, Fox 12 reported on its Web site.

The cause of his death was not released Tuesday morning.

The 7-foot Duckworth started at center when the Trail Blazers won Western Conference titles in 1990 and '92. He played in the NBA All-Star Game in 1989 and '91.

He spent 1986-93 with Portland and also played for Washington, Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Clippers.

Duckworth's last season in the league, 1996-97, was spent with the Clippers. He played his college basketball at Eastern Illinois. A second-round draft pick of the San Antonio Spurs in 1986, Duckworth was named the NBA's Most Improved Player in his second year in the league.

[timvp]

One of the better picks in Spurs history.

RIP.

[lefty]

We already have a thread in the NBA forum

[tlongII]

One of the better picks in Spurs history.

RIP.

Thanks for trading him to us.

[tlongII]

We already have a thread in the NBA forum

Duck was so big he deserves 2 threads.

[Kori Ellis]

We already have a thread in the NBA forum

Who cares. I deleted your post already - get a hint.

R.I.P.

[tmtcsc]

We already have a thread in the NBA forum

While he made most of his headlines as a Blazer, he was drafted by the Spurs. Perhaps we can merge the threads. I was a bit surprised that it wasn't in this forum.

** Thanks Kori **, I agree.

Duckworth provided some emotional currency for his team when he returned for Game 7 against the Spurs back in 1989 semi finals. He was part of those Blazer thugs that made for good enemies (rivals).

Kevin Duckworth
Buck Johnson
Terry Porter
Clyde Drexler
Jerome Kersey

That was a helluva team that unfortunately had to go through outstanding Bulls and Pistons teams.

[Kori Ellis]

The thread can be left here - it's definitely relevant. I hate people coming in trying to moderate ... especially in a thread like this. The "roll eyes" posts that I have been deleting aren't necessary.

[SenorSpur]

Shocking news. One of the most productive 2nd round picks in Spurs history.

RIP Big Duck!

[mrspurs]

He was one heck of a ball player. Until now i hadnt a clue what had happen to him. Hope to meet one day on the other side.

[Supergirl]

Dead at 44? I suspect drugs.

[I. Hustle]

We traded him too?!





j/k

[samikeyp]

Damn. I was sad when he was traded...he was in the Walter Berry deal wasn't he?

RIP

[lefty]

The thread can be left here - it's definitely relevant. I hate people coming in trying to moderate ... especially in a thread like this. The "roll eyes" posts that I have been deleting aren't necessary.

I really don't want to act asa Moderator.

I apologize if I offended anyone

[LakerLanny]

Wow, doesn't seem like that long ago that he was playing.

I saw him being shown in the crowd at a game a few years ago on TV and I didn't even recognize him, he had gotten huge.

My guess is it had something to do with the amount of weight he was carrying, because he appeared at that time to be drastically overweight.

Sad for someone to die so young, RIP Duck.

[timvp]

Dead at 44? I suspect drugs.

I suspect it was because he weighed like 450 pounds.

[Ass Cream]

I remember all the "How much is Kevin Duck worth?" jokes.

[bigfan]

I remember going to a preseason game up at that gym just north of the airport (I think it was called a silver and black game). Anyway, we had just drafted Duckworth and the word was he was a project because he looked like he weighed about 350 lbs! Anyway, he could play fairly well and I never did figure out why we traded him not too long afterward.

[tlongII]

Dead at 44? I suspect drugs.

I doubt it. He wasn't a druggie. I would guess it was heart-related due to his weight. He was one of the nicest guys I've ever met. We are very sad in Rip City today.

[tlongII]

I remember all the "How much is Kevin Duck worth?" jokes.

A Berry.

A "Walter" Berry. :lol

[Budkin]

Man that sucks... I really enjoyed watching Duckworth on that Blazers squad. RIP.

[samikeyp]

A Berry.

A "Walter" Berry. :lol

"My game does not consist of fundamentals"
:bang

:lol

[Mark in Austin]

RIP

In what the Spurs claim is an unrelated event, RC Buford was seen this moning tearing up what appeared to be a contract offer while saying "fuck - at least he didn't go to Europe. On to plan 127."

[FromWayDowntown]

Sad story. I remember that frustration of seeing Duckworth play a key role for those Blazers teams of the early 90's (really, really good basketball teams) while the Spurs routinely came up short. Of course, the Spurs' problem at that point wasn't at the center spot.

RIP, Duck.

[Twisted_Dawg]

"Coach Brown (Larry) is a fundamental coach and my game does not consist of fundamentals"
:bang

:lol

I fixed your quote for you.

[SenorSpur]

I fixed your quote for you.

I take it that was a DuckWorth quote.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I suspect it was because he weighed like 450 pounds.

Super tall fat guys don't have the longest life expectancies.

[tlongII]

I take it that was a DuckWorth quote.

No, I think that was a Walter Berry quote.

[tlongII]

A recent picture of Big Duck...

http://www.wizznutzz.com/images/duckworth_food.jpg

[tlongII]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3091/2799568913_c301253fe1.jpg

[Tully365]

That early 90s Trailblazer team was one of the best in the league for a few years-- really fun to watch. RIP, Kevin.

[Strike]

While he made most of his headlines as a Blazer, he was drafted by the Spurs. Perhaps we can merge the threads. I was a bit surprised that it wasn't in this forum.

** Thanks Kori **, I agree.

Duckworth provided some emotional currency for his team when he returned for Game 7 against the Spurs back in 1989 semi finals. He was part of those Blazer thugs that made for good enemies (rivals).

Kevin Duckworth
Buck Williams
Terry Porter
Clyde Drexler
Jerome Kersey

That was a helluva team that unfortunately had to go through outstanding Bulls and Pistons teams.

Fixed.


Growing up in Portland, the name Kevin Duckworth was very well known. I'd met him on a couple occasions and he was always very nice and personable. He maintaned a home here after his career and came into the bowling alley in Milwaukie where my brother works on a few occasions. He was an all around nice guy and this city will miss him.

Rest in peace, Duck.

:drunk Have a drink in the man's honor, blazer fan and nba fan alike.

[baseline bum]

Duckworth was always a favorite with my family and I, and we were pissed when the Spurs traded him his rookie season. I loved those Blazer teams he played on with Terry Porter, Clyde Drexler, Buck Williams, Jerome Kersey, Drazen Petrovic, and Cliff Robinson.

RIP Duckie

[samikeyp]

I fixed your quote for you.

It wasn't broken. I just used part of it. I didn't claim it was the whole quote.
:)

[Spurs Brazil]

Rip

[Brutalis]

Damn he ballooned up. Kinda ironic he's cooking there.

RIP

[lefty]

Kevin's signature shot :

http://cache.viewimages.com/xc/356108.jpg?v=1&c=ViewImages&k=2&d=17A4AD9FDB9CF193B3EA2C03450C948639989BE1E5159948 284831B75F48EF45

[Mitch Cumsteen]

RIP Duck.

He was great against the Spurs in that series. And it was an epic series.

And for what it's worth, I would make that Walter Barry / Kevin Duckworth trade every day of the week. I loved the Truth. What an unbelievable and unorthodox player. When you are that cool, you don't really need fundamentals anyway.

[FromWayDowntown]

And it was an epic series.

That it was. Kind of reminiscent of the 2005 Finals in some ways -- home team gets each of the first 4 games, none of them particularly close. The Spurs hit big shots on the road in Game 5 to get the game to OT and 2OT but run out of steam and lose narrowly in Portland. Willie Anderson drops something like 30 on Drexler & Crew in Game 6 in San Antonio for an easy Spurs win. The Young Spurs (2 rookies, 2 second-year players, and Terry Cummings in the starting lineup) fight like crazy in their first Game 7 (on the road, no less -- and in that crazy building in Portland) and have the game for the taking until . . . .

In the end, Duckworth did make a big difference for the Blazers. Perhaps not as much of a difference as Rod Strickland, but a difference to be sure.

[baseline bum]

That it was. Kind of reminiscent of the 2005 Finals in some ways -- home team gets each of the first 4 games, none of them particularly close. The Spurs hit big shots on the road in Game 5 to get the game to OT and 2OT but run out of steam and lose narrowly in Portland. Willie Anderson drops something like 30 on Drexler & Crew in Game 6 in San Antonio for an easy Spurs win. The Young Spurs (2 rookies, 2 second-year players, and Terry Cummings in the starting lineup) fight like crazy in their first Game 7 (on the road, no less -- and in that crazy building in Portland) and have the game for the taking until . . . .


... until Willie Anderson lost the freaking ball while dribbling for the gamewinning layup off a perfect pass from Wingate. :pctoss

Porter owned Stickland the whole game. :bang

[alamo50]

Wow......always loved his no nonsense blue collar play.
Only 44 years of age.................damn......................

RIP Big Duck.

[ShoogarBear]

... until Willie Anderson lost the freaking ball while dribbling for the gamewinning layup off a perfect pass from Wingate. :pctoss

Actually, I recall that was a great defensive play by Clyde Drexler to just get his hands on the ball from behind.

[ShoogarBear]

ducks in in mourning, no doubt.

[Twisted_Dawg]

No, I think that was a Walter "The Truth" Berry quote.

[Sissiborgo]

R.i.p

[anakha]

R.I.P:rolleyes

Either I'm misunderstanding your message, or you're coming across as being incredibly crass.

[Sissiborgo]

Either I'm misunderstanding your message, or you're coming across as being incredibly crass.

whaat?

[Sissiborgo]

A recent picture of Big Duck...

http://www.wizznutzz.com/images/duckworth_food.jpg

and he is huge hehe..

[manufor3]

Sad news RIP

[Sii]

A recent picture of Big Duck...

http://www.wizznutzz.com/images/duckworth_food.jpg

:wow

44? damn. too soon.

[NewJerSpur]

I'm still rooting for the '92 Blazers team to make an unprecedented comeback 16 years in the making to dethrone the champs, but alas....

R.I.P. Duck, you were definitely a class act all around.

[tlongII]

I just hope they'll have a memorial for him at the Memorial Coliseum here. I think a lot of people would be there. I know I would go.

[ShoogarBear]

I guess that now officially makes Oden the oldest surviving Blazer center.

[Jack]

rip.

[SenorSpur]

Latest update on the cause of Duck's death.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/54195/20080828/police_duckworth_died_of_congestive_heart_failure/

An autopsy has revealed that former Portland center Kevin Duckworth died when his enlarged heart failed, the Associated Press is reporting.

Duckworth died Monday at the age of 44 on the Oregon coast, where he was on a goodwill tour for the team.

Oregon state police said Wednesday the autopsy was done by Dr. Larry Lewman, a state medical examiner, who concluded that Duckworth died of "hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with congestive heart failure."

[lefty]

That should remind everyone how important it is to have a healthy lifestyle

[spurscenter]

Rest In Peace