Former legendary NBA player and former Raptors coach Lenny Wilkens passes away at 88.

canada_dry · Post #1 » by **canada_dry** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 12:07 am

Damn. He really gave this franchise some life during that VC era when we needed it.

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mtcan · Post #2 » by **mtcan** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 12:08 am

RIP, 3rd most winningest coach in NBA history.

LoveMyRaps · Post #3 » by **LoveMyRaps** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 12:10 am

Brinbe · Post #4 » by **Brinbe** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 12:13 am

RIP to the legend

Post #5 » by **Duffman100** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 12:36 am

Damn. He was our first legit real head coach. RIP Lenny.

right between the eyes · Post #6 » by **right between the eyes** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 12:39 am

RIP Lenny. What a legend!

AkelaLoneWolf · Post #7 » by **AkelaLoneWolf** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 1:33 am

rip lenny

vi3t · Post #8 » by **vi3t** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 2:41 am

I started following the Raps in the early 2000 and Lenny Wilkens was the first coach I got to see, rest in peace legend

blastttOFF · Post #9 » by **blastttOFF** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 3:22 am

My favourite coach

Randle McMurphy · Post #10 » by **Randle McMurphy** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 3:30 am

Raptors were largely a total clown show before he was hired.

He brought a level of respectability and success we didn’t have before.

WaltFrazier · Post #11 » by **WaltFrazier** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 4:58 am

A true NBA legend. A gentleman. The last player coach. Took over the losing Sonics and made them finalists then champs back to back. Had very good teams in Cleveland and ATL that couldn't get past the Jordan Bulls.

As a player he was an all time great point guard. Yet only the third best guard in his draft class because he came out in 1960 along with Oscar Robertson and Jerry West.

Raptors' Wayne Embry and Bob Pettit, 92, must be about the only legends from the era still living.

720 · Post #12 » by **720** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 5:53 am

billy_hoyle · Post #13 » by **billy_hoyle** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 6:10 am

RIP to a classy guy.

Kobe Anunoby · Post #14 » by **Kobe Anunoby** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 9:38 am

Rest in peace.
Lenny was a legend in multiple decades in multiple ways, which few can say.
“In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years” by Abraham Lincoln

canz55 · Post #15 » by **canz55** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 12:09 pm

He brought us our first playoff victory and a shot away from facing the Bucks in the Eastern Conference finals.

Post #16 » by **Morris_Shatford** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 4:53 pm

Hiring Lenny was incredible at the time.
We brought in one of the best available coaches and it was reflected in the way the team responded to him - to me that was the moment we became a serious franchise.

RIP Lenny.

Post #17 » by **tsherkin** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 6:20 pm

A long and fruitful life. Cool part of our franchise history, too.

RIP.

GoRapstheoriginal · Post #18 » by **GoRapstheoriginal** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 6:42 pm

RIP Lenny Wilkins

dTox · Post #19 » by **dTox** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 6:58 pm

Other than the 2019 championship team, Lenny's VC led teams were some of my favourite memories as a Raptors fan. RIP

WaltFrazier · Post #20 » by **WaltFrazier** » Mon Nov 10, 2025 7:06 pm

I have this book. A good read although it ends just before he came to the Raptors

https://share.google/images/2kGO4jQ7C0iMexeuZ