One of basketball’s most decorated and respected figures, Lenny Wilkens, has passed away and the basketball community is still grieving. Wilkens, who has won three Hall of Fame awards, won a NBA championship, was a gold-medal-winning coach, and shaped generations of players and coaches with his legacy. His impact on two current NBA head coaches, Doc Rivers and Jason Kidd, was profoundly personal.
Doc Rivers: Remembering a Mentor Who Made the Game Personal
Doc Rivers, the head coach of Milwaukee Bucks, not only admired Lenny Wilkens from afar, but also leaped on him, laughed with him, and grew because of him. As Rivers reflected on their relationship, he expressed warmth and gratitude, revealing how much Wilkens meant to him.
“He was the best,” Rivers said. “To call him a mentor would be an understatement—not just for me, but for so many others. Lenny had this way of making you believe in yourself.”
Wilkens’ style of encouragement was not always accompanied by long speeches or serious pep talks. Rivers recalled that whenever he was going through a rough patch, his phone would ring, and Wilkens’ familiar voice would jump in with humor before anything else.
“He’d crack a joke about me owing him money from a golf game,” Rivers said. “That was his way — always making you smile.”
Rivers pointed out that Wilkens’ greatness was not solely due to his communication or kindness, but also due to his coaching abilities. He referred to him as a pioneer who triumphed at the highest level despite not always being surrounded by overwhelming star power.
“What’s amazing is that he won so many games without ever coaching a Hall of Famer,” Rivers said. “It shows how exceptional he was. He never got the full credit he truly deserved.”
Rivers’ broader point is that Wilkens elevated teams, not just talent, even though he coached Dennis Johnson, who is inducted into the record books.
Jason Kidd: Honoring a Providence Legend
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Wilkens family,” Kidd said. “When you talk about a pioneer, a legend — someone who’s in the Hall of Fame three times — that says everything.”
The Dallas Mavericks head coach Jason Kidd was influenced by Wilkens’ legacy long before either of them made it to the NBA.
“He’s been a role model for all of us coming out of Providence — just a true winner who’ll be dearly missed,” Kidd added.
A Legacy That Lives On
Lenny Wilkens’ influence is far-reaching beyond his wins and accolades. The modern NBA has been shaped by his grace, empathy, and innovative spirit. Wilkens was not only a basketball legend to Rivers and Kidd, but also a respected coach guiding the next generation. He was a guide, a mentor, and a reminder that leadership involves more than just drawing up plans. As the league reflects on his extraordinary career, it’s clear that Wilkens’ legacy will continue, not just in the history books, but in the hearts of those he guided, inspired, and believed in.
