Some sad news in the NBA world came Friday. Here’s the Charlotte Observer reporting:
Bob Bass is the one general manager ever to trade former NBA superstar Kobe Bryant.
He did so much more than that in a pro basketball career that spanned five decades. He was the most impactful GM in Charlotte NBA history. Bass died Friday in San Antonio at the age of 89. He suffered two strokes recently.
Bass began as Hornets GM in 1995, working for owner George Shinn, and retired in 2004 after guiding the franchise through the move to New Orleans. Yes, he traded two future Hall of Famers in Bryant and Alonzo Mourning. He also got the Hornets to the playoffs in seven of his nine seasons, oversaw the only two seasons of 50 or more victories in franchise history, and won the NBA Executive of the Year in 1997 after the Hornets won 54 games.
Bass was as old-school as anyone I’ve covered. He grew up in Oklahoma, married a fellow coach, Pat, of Native American descent, and built a career working for pre-merger American Basketball Association teams on shoestring budgets. He once told me about selling off office furniture to pay some bills at one of his ABA stops in Denver, Miami, Memphis and San Antonio.
Here’s a statement on Bob Bass from the Charlotte Hornets: “The Charlotte Hornets are saddened to learn of the passing of Bob Bass. After coming to Charlotte in 1995, Bob was responsible for some of the most successful teams in Hornets history and left an indelible mark on our franchise. Under his leadership the Hornets never finished a season with a record under .500, and his team building earned him the NBA’s Executive of the Year Award in 1997. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his wife Pat, sons Kelly and Kip, and the entire Bass family.”
And here’s a statement from Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich: “Over the course of four decades, Bob Bass had a huge impact in both the ABA and NBA. BB was a true pioneer in the world of professional basketball. His knowledge, passion and dedication to the game were inspiring. We send our condolences to the entire Bass family.”
