Comments on: RIP, Duck

By: Jamie Pilfer

Jamie Pilfer — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:44:32 +0000

Growing up in the 90’s and just getting into basketball; you would always hear about Duckworth..I would always think that his name was so weird. An overall good guy and gone too soon…RIP Duck

By: Greg in Orenco

Greg in Orenco — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:26:03 +0000

Thought”s” and prayers, sorry.

By: Greg in Orenco

Greg in Orenco — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:25:35 +0000

Thanks for bringing back the memory of the 2OT Phoenix game. What struck me about that game was that Duckworth was usually on the bench late in games and Cliff Robinson would play center for defensive purposes and to pull the opposing center out farther when the Blazers were on offense. And it seems like Duck got bummed out every time that Adelman would yank him late in the game. So the fact that Duckworth was able to make a huge difference at that late point in the game (Cliff and Buck both fouled out in that game) must have been extra satisfying for him.

They should definitely wear a patch or something this year to honor Duckworth.

My thought and prayers go out to Duck and his family. A tragic loss, way too soon…

By: Marco Fusaro

Marco Fusaro — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:52:07 +0000

I moved to Portland in ‘90 and was around for a good part of the Duckworth era. I always loved the guy. Not only was he a great player, but he seemed like a genuine person. I was pretty surprised a year or two ago to see how big he had gotten and was really glad he was out in the public eye representing the team and city he loved so much.

I think a retired jersey might be a bit much for Duck, but we and the Blazers really need to recognize the man and his accomplishments both on and (especially) off the court. I have heard the idea of a Duck day, community service award (the biggest little award in the NBA) or wearing a 00 patch. I put my two cents in for the creation of the Duck Pond, and area of seats somewhere in the Rose Garden with a large 00 painted into the seats. Possible even taking out seats at the corners of the 0s to round it off. Too bad my two cents would cost the Blazers a bit more than that in lost seat revenue…

By: saregister

saregister — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:21:56 +0000

R.I.P. Duck.

You have been sorely missed since you left the public spotlight, and you will be missed even more now that you are gone. Thank you for all the great memories and for becoming such a great ambassador for the Portland TrailBlazers and the great state of Oregon.

By: Hayduke

Hayduke — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 01:08:19 +0000

I remember both those games, but especially the ‘Willis Reed’ moment and that sheepish, almost embarrased look on his face. He was a great cog on those special teams. Happy Trails Duck.

By: Greg

Greg — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:15:38 +0000

Unfortunately (and unfairly) he beared a good portion of the brunt for the Blazers never being able to get over the hump and win the NBA title in the early ’90s. For as good as he was, he never was quite good enough to be what the Blazers needed at center to eclipse the Bulls and the Lakers. That was not his fault at all — as a matter of fact, up until the ‘92 season he regularly exceeded expectations, and played with passion and heart. That’s what I’ll remember him for, giving it his all in what wasn’t always an ideal situation for him.

By: Jeremiah

Jeremiah — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:16:29 +0000

The heavens are a brighter place after today.
A Man he was but a Giant he will be remembered. Not for what he did on the court, but for what he did off of it. Few and far between are people with other peoples best interests at heart. The “Duck” was one of those people.

This World loss is only God’s gain, as he will appriciate every last bit of our Kevin Duckworth.

My prayers and thoughts are for his family tonight.

By: Colin

Colin — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:43:20 +0000

Best summary yet.

By: Chris Snethen

Chris Snethen — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:31:01 +0000

And I think he was coming to grips with a bit of depression, which had fueled his eating habits.

Man, that’ll do it. Such a vicious cycle.