FanHouse KevinDuckworth

NBA Essentials ranks our six favorite stories of the day.

1. Jones on the NBA. Nate Jones brilliantly surveys the evolution of the player intro. Buckets of fun.

2. Ball Don't Lie. Dwyer takes it to Larry Brown and his revisionist history.

3. OregonLive. An essential collection of Kevin Duckworth tributes. Rest in peace, big fella.

4. FOX Sports. Wayman Tisdale, still battling cancer, has part of his leg amputated. Best wishes.

5. The Blowtorch. You bring the Chardonnay, Carlos Boozer will bring the artichoke spread, Coach K will bring the yacht.

6. Maniac World, via BallHype. The five worst dunks ever. (Needs more Birdman.)

Sad news out of Portland this morning, as former Trail Blazer and two-time NBA All-Star Kevin Duckworth has passed away at the age of 44. The cause of death is unknown at this time.

Duckworth was a member of the Blazers from 1986-1993, and was a fan favorite who played a substantial role on two Blazers' Western Conference Championship teams in 1990 and 1992. Blazers' fan Henry Abbott of TrueHoop shares this fond memory of the Blazers' big man:

I'll always remember Duckworth for his starring role in the most exciting basketball game I have ever seen in person: Portland's come-from-behind Game 7 win over Larry Brown, David Robinson, Rod Strickland, and the San Antonio Spurs in the second-round of the 1990 playoffs.

Duckworth played in that game against doctor's orders, and while his stat line proved to be average, he managed to make things extremely difficult for Robinson, helping Portland keep things close. Portland found themselves down seven in the closing minutes, but made a late and thrilling run to send the game to overtime, where they were able to secure a crucial victory on the road to the Finals.

Duckworth remained active in the Portland community, and in fact "was on the Oregon Coast representing the Trail Blazers as a Heritage Ambassador" when this occurred. He will certainly be missed.