Robert J. "Bob" Lanier

With a sweeping left-hand hook and a dominating inside presence, Bob Lanier was one of the most feared big men of his era. Opposing centers had to keep a watchful eye on Lanier because he had an equally impressive outside game. His sweet shooting touch from the perimeter placed him in a rarified class of being a true inside/outside force. This ability, combined with his single-minded determination to win, helped Lanier lead tiny St. Bonaventure University to the 1970 NCAA Final Four. Lanier still holds school records for scoring (27.6 ppg) and rebounding (15.7 rpg). During his 14-year NBA career with the Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks, he was a model of consistency averaging double figures in points and rebounds for his career. The number one draft choice of the Detroit Pistons, Lanier was named to the NBA's All-Rookie team in 1971 and earned MVP honors for his 24-point, 10-rebound performance at the 1974 NBA All Star Game.