Former Bulls Star Bob Love Dies at 81

Bob Love, a former Chicago Bulls forward and three-time NBA All-Star, has passed away at the age of 81. The Chicago Bulls announced that Love died on Monday following a prolonged battle with cancer. Love was known for his impressive performance during his 11-year NBA career, the majority of which he spent with the Bulls.

During his nine seasons with the Bulls, Love averaged 21.3 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. The Bulls, in a statement, paid tribute to Love, saying, «With his No. 10 jersey hanging in the United Center rafters, his on-court achievements are forever etched in history, but Bob’s impact transcended basketball.» They continued, «He became an inspirational figure and a passionate community ambassador for the Bulls, dedicating himself to charitable causes and uplifting countless lives with his motivational speeches.»

Bob Love grew up in northern Louisiana, being one of 14 children. He acquired the nickname «Butterbean» due to his fondness for lima beans. Standing at 6-foot-8, he excelled in college basketball at Southern University in Baton Rouge before being selected by the Cincinnati Royals in the fourth round of the NBA draft.

Love’s career in the NBA began with the Cincinnati Royals before he was acquired by the Milwaukee Bucks in the expansion draft in 1968. Shortly after, in November 1968, Love and Bob Weiss were traded to the Chicago Bulls in exchange for Flynn Robinson. Love’s performance with the Bulls was exemplary, becoming an All-Star for three consecutive seasons from 1970 to 1973, culminating in a career-high average of 25.8 points per game during the 1971-72 season.

Love retired from professional basketball after the 1976-77 season, having played for additional teams including the New York Nets and the Seattle SuperSonics. In January 1994, the Chicago Bulls honored him by retiring his jersey number, making him only the second player in franchise history, after Jerry Sloan, to receive such an accolade.

Doc Rivers, the current head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, expressed his sorrow and admiration for Love’s life and legacy. Rivers, who formed a special relationship with Love during his teenage years in Chicago, recalled, «He was a big guy in my life… Really an impressive guy… He was a great basketball player, but I met him when I was young, in high school.» Rivers recounted how Love’s struggle with a severe stuttering problem inspired him and many young athletes, saying, «I remember him talking to me and really struggling… It was just so impressive to me.»

Rivers also noted that Love’s legacy extended beyond basketball, highlighting how his resilience and toughness became emblematic of the spirit of Chicago. Love conquered his stuttering later in life, leaving a lasting impression on Rivers and other young players of the era, including Mark Aguirre and Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas. Rivers highlighted, «I think we should take note of guys like that because I thought he meant so much to kids… He epitomized not only toughness as a player but just with the stuff he went through in life.»

Love’s legacy continues through his contributions on and off the court, and his enduring influence on the Chicago community remains significant.