Bob Love dies of cancer at 81

The basketball star Robert Earl Lovebetter known as Bob Love, is dead. His former team, the Chicago Bulls, announced on the NBA’s official website, among other things, that the 81-year-old tragically lost his battle with cancer on Monday. “Bob is one of the Bulls’ greats”said Chicago Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf. During his nine seasons with the Bulls, Bob is said to have become a cornerstone of the team, whose tenacious defense continues to set high standards for competition and toughness to this day.

Jerry Reinsdorf had great words for the former player: “Toughness was not only a hallmark of Bob’s play on the court, but was also evident in his resilience throughout his basketball career.” The American was part of the Bulls from 1968 to 1976. In his nine years with the team, the 6-foot-3 player averaged 21.3 points per game and 6.8 rebounds per game. The three-time NBA All-Star ended his career in 1977.

The 81-year-old grew up in northern Louisiana and was one of 14 children. He was nicknamed “Butterbean” because he liked to eat lima beans. He was already considered a star during his time at Southern University in Baton Rouge before being selected in the fourth round of the 1965 NBA draft by the Cincinnati Royals. He played there for several years until he was selected in the 1968 draft by the Milwaukee Bucks, who sold him to the Chicago team that same year.