Remembering "Duck"

While it certainly doesn't fall under the heading of "business of basketball", the news that former Blazer center Kevin Duckworth passed away Monday night at the age of 44, was shocking news, and something that hit home for me. As a resident of Portland, I, as well as most everyone in this city during the late '80s and early '90s, followed the Blazers. "Duck", as he was affectionately called, played six seasons for the Blazers from'87 to '93. He averaged 11.8 points and 5.8 rebounds over 11 seasons in the NBA, helping the Blazers reach the NBA finals in 1990 and 1992. He was the 7' center with soft hands a€" prone to go for the short 5-8 foot hook as opposed to jamming it. The "gentle giant" was often the words used to associate to him. He played out his career from '93 with the Bullets, Bucks, and finally the Clippers, retiring at the age of 32 in 1997. Duckworth remained a part of Portland well after retiring. He was an avid outdoorsman who would often be seen fishing the rivers in and around Oregon. He also never stopped being part of the Blazer family, doing community outreach for the organization. The pictures provided here were taken Monday at the Tillamook YMCA following a kids free basketball clinic. It seemed fitting that he had traveled to the Oregon coast as part of a goodwill tour for the organization the day he passed away. He died Tuesday night at Salishan Lodge at Gleneden Beach, just north of Lincoln City. There is no indication of foul play."Within the world of basketball, within those Trail Blazers teams, he was a jokester," said Phoenix Suns coach Terry Porter, who was Duckworth's teammate. "He was a big, loving teddy bear. At times, guys got frustrated because he didn't have a mean streak. "He was just a great guy. He loved the team atmosphere, loved being a teammate in those successful Blazer teams." He also was a great guy to Portland, well after his playing days. So long, Duck. We'll miss you.Images below courtesy of the Portland Trail Blazers A OTHER NEWS ACROSS THE BUSINESS OF SPORTS NETWORK It's Official: Instant Replay to Begin Thursday - The Biz of Baseball Carl Mays, Vern Stephens, Eight Others Considered by '09 Veterans Committee - The Biz of Baseball MLBPA Reaches Agreement on Instant Replay - The Biz of Baseball Report: Instant Replay in MLB to Start Thursday - The Biz of Baseball ESPN Interview with Barack Obama. "White Sox, that's baseball." - The Biz of Baseball 5 Minor Leaguers Suspended. Total of 33 for the Year - The Biz of Baseball ESPN E:60 To Highlight Surprising Tampa Bay Rays - The Biz of Baseball Fenway Sports Group Hires Former NASCAR Exec Brian Corcoran - The Biz of Baseball A's Working with Comcast to Exit from CSN Bay Area - The Biz of Baseball Jets Release PSL Program, Cost Between $4,000 and $25,000 - The Biz of Football Time Warner Cable, Big Ten Network Reach Carriage Agreement - The Biz of Football ESPN, SEC Reach Landmark 15-Year Television Agreement - The Biz of Football Lucas Oil Stadium Era Begins With Exhibition Game Between Colts and Bills - The Biz of Football NFLPA Executive Committee Names Richard Berthelsen Interim Executive Director - The Biz of Football Gene Upshaw, Head of NFLPA Dead at 63 - The Biz of Football Interview - Andrew Brandt - Former Packers VP, President The National Football Post - The Biz of FootballNHL Releases 2008-2009 National Televison Schedule - The Biz of Hockey Penguins to Break Ground on New Arena Today - The Biz of Hockey SEE IT: Trailer for 2K Sports' NHL 2K9 Game - The Biz of Hockey NHL Releases 2008-2009 Pre-Season Schedule - The Biz of Hockey Get Your Hockey Fix On - Register and Get Updates - The Biz of Hockey Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is contributor to Baseball Prospectus, and is available as a freelance writer.Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.