Originally published Wednesday, August 27, 2008 at 12:00 AM

NBA | Ex-Blazers All-Star Kevin Duckworth dies at 44

Kevin Duckworth, a former Portland Trail Blazers center who had a feathery touch from the paint, died Monday night. He was 44. Duckworth, part of a...

By The Associated Press

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Kevin Duckworth, 1990 photo, died Monday.

LINCOLN CITY, Ore. — Kevin Duckworth, a former Portland Trail Blazers center who had a feathery touch from the paint, died Monday night. He was 44.

Duckworth, part of a Trail Blazers goodwill tour, was scheduled to hold a basketball clinic on the Oregon coast. The Depoe Bay Fire Department said it responded at about 10 p.m. Monday to a report of a man who was down and not breathing at Salishan Lodge in Gleneden Beach.

The cause of death was to be determined by a medical examiner but the Lincoln County sheriff's office said there was no indication of foul play.

"Within the world of basketball, within those Trail Blazers teams, he was a jokester," said Phoenix Suns coach Terry Porter, who was Duckworth's teammate. "He was a big, loving teddy bear. At times, guys got frustrated because he didn't have a mean streak.

"He was just a great guy. He loved the team atmosphere, loved being a teammate in those successful Blazer teams."

Duckworth, a two-time All-Star, played for five teams in 11 NBA seasons, averaging 11.8 points and 5.8 rebounds. Of his 684 league games, 527 were with the Blazers.

Duckworth, listed at 7 feet and 280 pounds in the Portland media guide, averaged 18.1 points and 8.0 rebounds for the Blazers in the 1988-89 season.

Porter said Duckworth battled weight problems recently.

Former Blazers broadcaster Bill Schonely recalled Duckworth as a "gentle giant" and an affectionate man who loved to hug people.

"When you got hugged by Kevin Duckworth, you got hugged," Schonely said.

Note

• Retired player Wayman Tisdale, 44, had part of his right leg amputated Monday because of bone cancer. Tisdale spent 12 seasons in the league, averaging 15.3 points and 6.1 rebounds. The forward-center played for Indiana, Sacramento and Phoenix.

Tisdale, an award-winning jazz musician, said he plans to resume touring in the fall. On his Web site, Tisdale said removing a portion of the leg would be the best way to ensure the cancer would not return.

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