Bulls Great Bob Love Dead at 81 After Battle with Cancer

Chicago Bulls legend and Basketball Hall of Famer Bob Love died at 81 following a battle with cancer

Robert Earl Love was born in Bastrop, Lousiana in 1942 and starred at Southern University before being drafted by the Cincinnati Royals in the second round of the 1965 NBA Draft. He spent the first six seasons in the Queen City before being traded to the Bulls in 1971.

It was in Chicago where Love would make his greatest impact, helping lead the Bulls to their first playoff appearance in franchise history in 1972. He was a key part of the team's success in the 1970s, alongside Jerry Sloan, Chet Walker, and Norm Van Lier.

Love was a four-time All-Star and was named to the All-NBA Second Team in 1972. He was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019

Love was best known for his outstanding defense

He was one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA, known for his quickness, agility, and ability to guard multiple positions.

Love's defensive prowess was a big reason why the Bulls were able to compete with some of the best teams in the NBA during the 1970s.

Love also had impact beyond the basketball

He was a respected voice in the community and was active in many charitable endeavors. In 2005, he was awarded the NBA's J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award.

Love's legacy will live on in Chicago and throughout the NBA. He was a great player, a great teammate, and a great ambassador for the game of basketball.

Tributes have been pouring in for Love

Former Bulls teammate Jerry Sloan said, "Bob Love was one of the best teammates I ever had. He was a great defender and a great scorer. But more importantly, he was a great person." Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said, "Bob Love was a pillar of our franchise for many years. He was a great player and a great man. He will be deeply missed." Hall of Famer Bob Lanier said, "Bob Love was one of the toughest and most respected players in our era. He was a great defender and a great scorer. He was also a great teammate and a great friend."

Love's death is a sad loss for the NBA community. He was a great player, a great teammate, and a great ambassador for the game of basketball. He will be deeply missed.