Bass, who spent 20 years with the Spurs organization, had suffered two strokes since Aug. 6NBAE/GETTY IMAGES
Two-time NBA Exec of the Year BOB BASS, who "spent 20 seasons" with the Spurs in a number of roles and also served as Hornets GM, died Friday night at the age of 89, according to ESPN.com. Bass had "suffered two strokes since Aug. 6." Spurs coach GREGG POPOVICH in a statement said, "BB was a true pioneer in the world of professional basketball" (ESPN.com, 8/18). The Hornets in a statement said Bass was "responsible for some of the most successful teams in Hornets history and left an indelible mark on our franchise" (Hornets). In San Antonio, Tom Orsborn wrote Bass was a "down-home-but-shrewd basketball lifer." Throughout his tenure with the Spurs, Bass' work demeanor was "equal parts intense executive and laid-back father figure." But his "fierce loyalty and genuineness were constants even as his hair changed over the years from salt-and-pepper gray to white" (SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS, 8/18). In Charlotte, Rick Bonnell wrote Bass was the "most impactful GM in Charlotte NBA history" (CHARLOTTE OBSERVER, 8/19).
