Attles, 'the destroyer,' was a gentleman and a champion

Is it true that Wilt Chamberlain, who was quite a few inches taller and many pounds heavier, never wanted to get into a physical confrontation with Al Attles, the man nicknamed “The Destroyer”?   

It is true the night Wilt scored 100 points that Attles didn’t miss a shot, going 8 for 8 on field goal attempts and one for one on free throws. What also is true is that he surely missed a chance to make the headlines. Wilt was the reason.

Such thoughts entered the mind with the news Wednesday that Attles, 87, died at his home in Oakland. And so in a summer already sorrowful because of the passing of Willie Mays and Orlando Cepeda, the Bay Area loses another sporting legend.

He was a Hall of Famer, as well as the backbone of the Warriors for more than 60 years as a player, coach, and executive. The fifth-round draft choice who became a first-class leader and always was an A-1 gentleman.

I had an assignment—and good fortune as I would reflect over the years—of covering the Warriors in the 1970s, a period of transition and some time with those losing seasons, Attles had become the accidental coach named by owner Franklin Mieuli to replace George Lee. The going was tough, criticism was prevalent. Attles understood it was all part of the job, a job he hadn’t sought.

Along the way, there are coaches and managers who have double standards, who treat writers and radio-TV people they know one way and those they don’t know perhaps the wrong way. Not Attles, according to someone who was a “cub reporter” when Al was in charge.

James Raia is now a freelance writer whose specialty is the auto industry. Maybe 35 years ago, Raia was a self-described “cub” reporter in the sports department of the Sacramento Bee, and with some trepidation was allowed to interview Attles for a feature.

“He gave me about an hour of his time,” Raia said of Attles, with whom Attles had never previously dealt. Raia still thinks about Attles’ courtesy that day, choosing that as an emphasis upon hearing of Attles’ death.

What we’ll also remember about Attles is his relentless determination and ability to unite and inspire the Warriors in the magical 1974-75 season to create a champion. From what in the NBA Finals the Baltimore Suns called the worst team ever to make it to the finals. 

That team, led by Rick Barry and Cliff Ray, included Jamal Wilkes, Jeff Mullins, Bill Bridges, Butch Beard and Charles Dudley, and swept the Washington Bullets.

That team also received an unexpected but not unneeded support from head coach Al Attles. When the Bullets’ Mike Riordan tried to provoke Barry into a fight that would have resulted in Barry’s ejection, Attles jumped onto the court and got into the battle.

The Destroyer had become the savior. Rest in peace, Al.