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Playing in an era that featured Wilt Chamberlain and Bill Russell wasn't necessarily easy for Nate Thurmond. Naturally, the comparisons would abound, and Thurmond was more than equal to the challenge.
There are critics who suggest that the 6-11 center provided the best mix of offense and defense in history. Many say that his defense was better than Chamberlain's and his offense was better than Russell's. With quickness, and long hands, a smooth outside shooting touch, tenacious rebounding, classic shot blocking ability and a total team attitude, Thurmond offered a perfectly balanced package.
The agile and deceptively strong Thurmond honed his talents at Bowling Green State University, where he averaged 17.8 points per game, 17.0 rebounds per game, and was selected an All-American his senior year.
In 1963, Thurmond was drafted third in the NBA draft by the San Francisco Warriors and played the forward position because Wilt Chamberlain was the Warriors' pivot man. When San Francisco traded Chamberlain to Philadelphia in 1965, Thurmond returned to his natural position and developed into one of the NBA's truly dominant centers.
Thurmond logged 14 NBA seasons with San Francisco, Golden State, Chicago and Cleveland. He was selected to play in seven All-Star Games and was named NBA All-Defensive First Team twice and Second Team three times. He first made NBA history when he grabbed 18 rebounds in one quarter against Baltimore in 1965.
Then on opening night in 1974, Nate made history again as the first player to ever record a quadruple double-double figures in four categories in one game (22 points, 14 rebounds, 13 assists and 12 blocked shots).
When he retired, Thurmond had scored 14,437 points and grabbed 14,464 rebounds (sixth all-time), both 15.0 per game averages.
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