Bob Lanier, the left-handed big man who muscled up beside the likes of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as one of the NBA’s top players of the 1970s, died Tuesday. He was 73.

The NBA said Lanier died after a short illness. The Hall of Famer had worked for the league as a global ambassador. The Athletic reported in 2019 that Lanier was being treated for bladder cancer.

Lanier played 14 seasons with the Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks and averaged 20.1 points and 10.1 rebounds for his career. He is third on the Pistons’ career list in both points and rebounds. Detroit drafted Lanier with the No. 1 overall pick in 1970 after he led St. Bonaventure to the Final Four.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Lanier was among the most talented centers in league history, and added that his accomplishments went far beyond what he did on the court.

“For more than 30 years, Bob served as our global ambassador and as a special assistant to David Stern and then me, traveling the world to teach the game’s values and make a positive impact on young people everywhere,” Silver said in a statement. “It was a labor of love for Bob, who was one of the kindest and most genuine people I have ever been around.”

Lanier went into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1992. But his boat-size shoes got there ahead of him, with a display of his bronzed sneakers in the shrine.

He was known for wearing size 22 shoes, although that was disputed in 1989 by a Converse representative, who told The Atlanta Constitution that Lanier wore size 18 1/2.

“The 22 he was reputed to wear was a Korean size,” shoe rep Gary Stoken said.

Not contested was the abundantly clear fact that his feet were big.

“A lot of people can put both feet into one of my shoes,” Lanier told HOOP magazine.

Born Sept. 10, 1948, in Buffalo, New York, Lanier starred in college at St. Bonaventure, where he averaged 27.6 points and 15.7 rebounds in three seasons. The Bonnies made it all the way to the Final Four in 1970, but Lanier had injured his knee in the regional final, and St. Bonaventure lost in the national semifinals to Jacksonville.

Lanier overcame a litany of orthopedic injuries, dealing with shoulder, back, elbow, hand and toe problems during his career. But that didn’t prevent him from earning his place among the top NBA centers of his era. After being named to the all-rookie team in 1971, he averaged at least 21 points and 11 rebounds for each of the next seven seasons. Lanier was an eight-time All-Star and the MVP of the 1974 All-Star Game.

He remains the Pistons’ franchise leader in scoring average at 22.7 points per game, beloved in Detroit for both his fierceness and friendliness.

“As fierce and as dominant as Bob was on the court, he was equally kind and impactful in the community,” the Pistons said. “As an ambassador for both the Pistons organization and the NBA, he represented our league, our franchise and our fans with great passion and integrity. We extend our heartfelt condolences to Bob’s family and friends.”

Lanier could beat opponents from the inside and the outside while ruling the boards. Although Abdul-Jabbar had a more famous hook shot, the sky hook, Lanier’s was very much a weapon.

“Guys didn’t change teams as much, so when you were facing the Bulls or the Bucks or New York, you had all these rivalries,” Lanier told NBA.com in 2018. “Lanier against Jabbar! Jabbar against Willis Reed! And then (Wilt) Chamberlain, and Artis Gilmore, and Bill Walton! You had all these great big men and the game was played from inside out.”

As exceptional as Lanier was, the Pistons won only one playoff series with him. He played 64 games or fewer in each of his last four full seasons with Detroit. In February 1980, he was traded to Milwaukee.

Lanier averaged fewer minutes with the Bucks, but he was part of Milwaukee teams that reached the Eastern Conference finals in 1983 and 1984, the final two seasons of his career.

He also served as president of the players’ union during the final years of his career, with Silver saying that he played “a key role in the negotiation of a game-changing collective bargaining agreement.”

Lanier was Detroit’s career leader in points and rebounds before he was passed by Isiah Thomas and Bill Laimbeer in those categories, and his single-game franchise record of 33 rebounds was topped by Dennis Rodman.

In 1995, Lanier was an assistant coach for the Golden State Warriors, then took over as coach on an interim basis after Don Nelson resigned. Lanier went 12-25, and the Warriors found another coach after the season.

Lanier won the NBA’s J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award for the 1977-78 season for outstanding community service. Following his playing career, he helped start the NBA’s Stay in School campaign and participated in other outreach for the league.

“There’s so much need out here,” Lanier said. “When you’re traveling around to different cities and different countries, you see there are so many people in dire straits that the NBA can only do so much. We make a vast, vast difference, but there’s always so much more to do.”

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Arguably the biggest need this offseason for the Chicago Bears was at wide receiver. With Justin Fields going into year two, the Bears goal should be to surround him with as much talent as possible.

In the 2022 draft, the Bears only selected one receiver as they took Velus Jones Jr. in the third round.

Chicago’s receiving core isn’t the best right now, headlined by Darnell Mooney and then after that it’s a bit of a dropoff featuring David Moore, Dazz Newsome and Jones Jr. among others. But next draft, the Bears will have their first round pick and they could use that to draft a receiver to help out Fields.

And that’s what one NFl draft analyst believes they will do.

Shortly after the conclusion of the 2022 NFL draft, Todd McShay released his early 2023 mock draft and he has the Bears selecting Pitt wide receiver Jordan Addison at No. 7 overall:

Addison entered the transfer portal, so where he’ll be suiting up this season is still up in the air. He was among the best receivers in college football last season with 100 catches for 1,593 yards and 17 trips to the end zone. The Bears opted to wait until Round 3 to draft a receiver (Velus Jones Jr.) and still need a legitimate outside starter opposite Darnell Mooney.

Addison began his career at Pitt and was fantastic playing with Kenny Pickett as his quarterback. But right now, Addison is in the transfer portal and rumors are swirling that he could move on to a bigger program to continue his college career.

A wide receiver certainly makes sense for the Bears here in 2023 as they need to add more firepower to this offense. And the theme all offseason has been the focus is on 2023 where the Bears will have a lot of cap space and draft picks to work with.

Make sure to check out our Bears forum for the latest on the team.

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Lefty Wade Miley’s path to his 2022 debut has been winding, and it showed in the Cubs’ 5-4 loss to the Padres on Tuesday.

Miley, who began the season on the injured list with left elbow inflammation, allowed three runs in three innings against the Padres on Monday. He walked five batters in what was not only his first start of the season but also his first with the Cubs.

Miley entered spring training behind several of his rotation mates ramp-up-wise. The Major League Baseball lockout had left the spring training start date uncertain, and at 35 years old, Miley hadn’t wanted to risk overworking his arm.

His elbow inflammation arose, and lingered, in spring training. So, by the time he took the mound at Petco Park Tuesday, the veteran hadn’t had many opportunities to face batters. He’d thrown live batting practice in Arizona this spring and in Atlanta two weeks ago, plus one rehab start last week.

On Tuesday, he ran into trouble in the first inning. Miley recorded two quick outs before walking Manny Machado, the third hitter he faced. Then, Miley gave up back-to-back walks and back-to-back hits before he got out of the frame. By then, the Cubs already trailed by two runs.

Miley walked two more batters and gave up an RBI single in the third inning, his last in the game.

The Cubs offense tied up the game with Alfonso Rivas’ two-run homer in the third inning and Rafael Ortega’s aggressive base running in the fifth. But the Padres reclaimed the lead the next inning, stringing together four straight hits in the sixth, scoring two runs.

The Cubs rallied in the ninth. Seiya Suzuki’s pinch-hit single with two outs got things started. Then, Willson Contreras reached on a hit by pitch, and Ian Happ cut the Padres’ lead to one run with an RBI single. After Patrick Wisdom also was hit by a pitch, pinch-hitting Frank Schwindel came inches from a go-ahead grand slam, but his long fly was caught at the wall.

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A night after enduring their toughest loss of the season, the White Sox and shortstop Tim Anderson bounced back.

Anderson had three hits, including a double, and drove in two runs; Gavin Sheets homered for the second consecutive game; and Lucas Giolito allowed one run in seven innings in a 4-1 victory Tuesday against the Guardians, the Sox’ seventh triumph in their last eight games.

Anderson made two errors and Sheets one in a 12-9 loss in 11 innings Monday.

”Last night was a heartbreaker; it was tough,” Giolito said. ”But we’re in a spot where we can self-evaluate very well. We didn’t have to say anything; we didn’t have to have a meeting.”

The Sox played errorless ball, and Anderson and third baseman Yoan Moncada — who made the Sox’ fourth error Monday — made nice plays in the field.

The only run against Giolito came on a home run by Josh Naylor, who hit two Monday. Giolito (2-1, 2.70 ERA) allowed six hits, struck out five and walked one. Sox starters are 5-0 with a 1.82 ERA in the last eight games.

Anderson’s punishment reduced to fine

Anderson’s punishment from Major League Baseball for inappropriate actions during a game April 20 in Cleveland was reduced to a fine, sources said.

Anderson was assessed a one-game suspension and an undisclosed fine two days after giving the middle finger to fans on the third-base side of Progressive Field during the eighth inning of the Sox’ 11-1 loss. He won’t be forced to miss a game as part of a settlement with the players’ union.

Anderson agreed to a fine as part of the settlement, which avoided an appeal.

Anderson raised his average to .347. Since 2020, the Sox are 116-81 when he is in the lineup and 27-27 when he isn’t.

Vaughn on rehab assignment

Outfielder/designated hitter Andrew Vaughn (bruised right hand) took batting practice before leaving for Triple-A Charlotte for what is expected to be a brief rehabilitation assignment starting Wednesday.

Vaughn is eligible to come off the injured list Thursday but likely will need two or three games at Charlotte.

Right-hander Johnny Cueto is expected to make his last start for Charlotte on Wednesday before joining the Sox.

Jimenez healing fast

Outfielder Eloy Jimenez — who took batting practice with Vaughn — ran sprints Monday, two weeks after having surgery to repair a torn hamstring tendon behind his right knee. The original six- to eight-week timetable still stands, however, which means he’ll be out another four to six weeks.

”Yeah, that was quick,” Jimenez said. ”I thought it was going to be longer, but now I feel really good, and we are going to be back sooner than later.”

Jimenez said he strained the hamstring before he landed awkwardly on first base while running out a ground ball April 23 in Minneapolis.

Graveman gets the save

Reliever Kendall Graveman, who was unavailable Sunday and Monday, earned his second save with a scoreless ninth. He has allowed one run in his last seven outings.

Graveman said he is managing his usage with the training and coaching staffs, using pitch data to show when he’s fatiguing.

”[I was] on pace for 93 innings through 25 days,” Graveman said. ”We want to pitch in September and . . . October, and sometimes you have to be smart on the front end.”

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Brian Ball, a 20-year employee of the White Sox and their former head trainer, filed a lawsuit Tuesday against the team and general manager Rick Hahn, claiming he was fired unlawfully on Oct. 31, 2020, because of his sexual orientation, age and disability. He also claims he was defamed by the team and suffered emotional distress.

Ball, 50, served as the Sox’ assistant trainer during their 2005 World Series title run and was promoted to head trainer in 2018, replacing Herm Schneider, who was the longest-tenured trainer in the majors.

”The Chicago White Sox organization categorically denies the baseless allegations made by former Head Trainer Brian Ball in his lawsuit against the club,” the Sox said in a statement late Tuesday.

Ball, who was selected as an assistant trainer for the 2011 All-Star Game, was fired at the end of the 2020 season, the suit says.

The suit says the Sox, including vice president Ken Williams, Hahn and players, learned Ball was a homosexual in February 2018.

It further says Ball was the victim of a carjacking on July 17, 2020. After meeting with police, he went to the ballpark to be checked by a team physician. The next day, the suit says, Hahn told Ball he was being put on medical leave and would need to see a psychologist as part of his conditions to return to work.

By Aug. 28, Ball says he was cleared by his personal psychologist to return to work. The suit claims the Sox denied that clearance and alleges Hahn made statements to other athletic training staff in September 2020 that Ball had a gambling, drug or alcohol addiction that was related to the carjacking. The suit says none of those accusations is true.

By late October, the suit says that Ball was told by Hahn that he was being terminated and that no explanation was given.

On Oct. 27, the day after Ball was notified he had been fired, the Sox presented him with a separation agreement, the suit says. The Sox advised Ball that if he didn’t sign and return the agreement by the first week of November, he would lose out on the terms of the agreement, the suit claims. Ball returned a signed agreement Nov. 7, 2020, the suit says.

But Ball’s suit claims an ”Individual A” — a ”White Sox management-level representative” — contacted him Dec. 27, 2020, and claimed the termination was based on his sexual orientation.

The suit says the Sox replaced Ball with “a less-qualified, non-disabled, non-homosexual male younger than 40 years of age.

”It is extremely disappointing that a former colleague, who was supported, developed and promoted over two decades, chose to attack the club in this way,” the Sox’ statement said. ”It is also surprising to many who know Brian, and supported him throughout his career, to read the allegations included in his lawsuit.

”The Chicago White Sox are unified against discrimination in any form and support anti-discrimination laws that provide protection to those wronged by an employer. Those laws are essential to protecting anyone who has been victimized by discrimination and to creating a culture of empowerment and opportunity for all individuals.

”Brian’s dismissal from the organization was based on his performance and did not run afoul of any of the protections afforded to employees under the law.

”Although we do not intend to provide further comment until this matter is resolved, we are committed to vigorously defending the club’s reputation against Brian’s meritless allegations, including the pursuit of all remedies under the law.”

The suit also claims Ball hasn’t been able to find employment as a trainer despite having more than 20 years in the profession.

James Kruk, 38, was promoted from assistant trainer to head trainer in 2021 after Ball was let go. Kruk, an assistant trainer in 2019-20, had assumed a higher profile while Ball was away for personal reasons, the Sox said at the time. Kruk is in his 14th season in the organization.

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The Cubs made another series of roster moves on Tuesday, as they placed two players on the 10-day injured list.

Outfielder Michael Hermosillo landed on the IL with a left quadriceps strain and second baseman Nick Madrigal with low back tightness.

The Hermosillo move, retroactive to Sunday, made room on the active roster for the Cubs to activate left-hander Wade Miley from the 10-day IL (left elbow inflammation). He took the mound Tuesday, making his Cubs debut.

Cubs manager David Ross said Hermosillo’s injury “wasn’t bothering him too much” at first, and he tried to play through it.

“Then just the flight out here, some swelling set in and got it looked at, and it was more serious than we thought,” Ross said.

It will be a few weeks before Hermosillo resumes baseball activities, according to the Cubs.

Closer to game time, the team put Madrigal on the IL.He’d felt back tightness during the game Monday, a 6-0 win against the Padres, and did not bounce back well on Tuesday, according to the team.

To replenish their middle infield depth, the Cubs selected infielder Ildemaro Vargas from Triple-A. He was already on the trip as a member of the taxi squad and played 15 games with the Cubs between 2020 and 2021.

Vargas finished last season with Pirates and Diamondbacks but signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs over the winter, joining spring training as a non-roster invitee.

To make room on the 40-man roster for Vargas on Tuesday, the Cubs designated right-hander Adrian Sampson for assignment. Sampson was also in San Diego as a member of the taxi squad.

Pitching plan

When Ross was asked before Tuesday’s game who would take the mound for the Cubs in the series finale Wednesday, he said: “I don’t know yet.”

The rotation is shorthand with right-hander Marcus Stroman on the IL (no designation) and Alec Mills still a few bullpens away from resuming his rehab assignment. Mills started the season on the 10-day IL due to a low back strain but experienced a setback with quad tightness in between rehab starts.

Wednesday will likely be another bullpen day, the Cubs’ third in a little over a week.

“Under the circumstances, they’ve done a nice job of adjusting,” Ross said of the bullpen. “They haven’t been our strongest games. And that’s to be expected. A lot of guys have different roles.”

The off day Thursday should help. On Wednesday, Ross won’t have to be cognizant of saving bullpen arms for the next day.

Suzuki scratched

The Cubs scratched Seiya Suzuki from the lineup Tuesday, after he was originally penciled in as the designated hitter. Suzuki left Monday’s game with right ankle soreness.

Yan Gomes replaced him in the lineup Tuesday as the DH.

In other roster news

The Mets claimed left-hander Locke St. John off waivers from the Cubs on Tuesday. The Cubs had designated him for assignment last week to make room for right-hander Robert Gsellman on the 40-man roster.

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