Almost all their belongings, including many of the kids childhood photos, were destroyed. Dont EVER touch my son. One night, Raymond Young, the Oakland Rebels head coach, called Patricia and told her to make other babysitting arrangements. But hes home now and is getting a little bit stronger every day.. ", Download and subscribe to the Dubs Talk Podcast, Why JTA felt 'destined' to sign standard contract with Dubs, JTA sharesheartfelt moment with mom after contract signing. A week before Juan was killed, Patricia had learned she was pregnant with her second child. So needless to say, basketball and the Bay Area are big parts of his life. They've given me an idea of where I wanted to be in my life and what I wanted to do.". It was during the early October matchups that Toscano-Anderson made another nod to his upbringing as he changed his jersey number to 95. So, the Warriors themselves, for what they are, they've given me dreams. I am done trying to show people that I am Black and I am Mexican. To Toscano-Anderson, this meant that he too could compete against the talent in the G League. I was 10 years old or so and ran around playing tag in the locker room with my cousins Bernard and Kevin. Many people see only his accomplishments as a player, coach, and executive. The doctor asked Patricias family whom he should save, if it came down to a choice: mother or son. The boy bothering my aunt found that out the hard way. That encouragement set Toscano-Anderson on a path that has eventually led with the versatile forward finding a home with his childhood team, as this past May he signed a multi-year contract with the Warriors. Keen members of Dub Nation likely saw a lot of Toscano-Anderson while they watched this past NBA Summer League as he played on both of the Dubs summer squads in the California Classic and Las Vegas Summer League. Everything I envisioned as a young kid, when I met Ms. Attles and I had cornrows and I used to wear a Larry Hughes jersey to school, Im doing all of that right now. It wouldn't matter if he was or wasn't a member of the team, he would always consider himself a Warrior. The 28-year-old has become a keyrotation player for the Warriors, averaging 8.1 points, 6.2 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.2 steals over the last 13 games, while shooting 63 percent from the field and 40.6 percent from deep in 29 minutes per game. My dad agreed and the next day, he promptly burned a can of franks-and-beans for dinner. Alvin Attles' wife she was my third grade teacher and I was playing soccer prior to that put me into a Warriors Camp. "I'll take care of it. In other words, Toscano-Anderson made his NBA debut for a team that has been a continual thread throughout his life. This is my fathers playful response when people ask how he feels about being inducted into the Hall of Fame. I dont care if he doesnt remember everything. I knew who I was. Toscano-Anderson has faced racism from both Mexicans and African Americans, telling him he wasn't enough of either to consider himself a Mexican man or a Black man. An armed policeman spotted us running around and forcefully grabbed hold of me. I just want to contribute to my teams success, he said. Then, one day in spring 2015, Attles received a small package containing a program from the Marquette University mens basketball program and a letter. Golden State Warriors | But all it took was a little encouragement from the wife of a Warriors Hall of Famer to turn him onto the sport. JTA incredibly surprises camper with free trip to Cancun camp. Patricia explained to Mrs. Attles that while she'd love for her son to be involved, but she simply didn't have the money for it. Some nights, he slept with his mom, Patricia Toscano, and sister, Ariana, in their silver sedan. I thought he changed the game the other night in the second quarter with his emotion. Miss Manners: I shouldn't call because the phone scares people? (D. Ross Cameron/Staff Archives), Oakland, CA January 31, 1989 - Golden State Warriors manager Al Attles. Al Attles was such a player, an enforcer. Sign me up! Get Morning Report and other email newsletters. The team that selected him was the then Philadelphia Warriors. The Warriors were longshots to beat the Washington Bullets. Thurmond now serves as an Ambassador to the team and goes to 30 home games a season, with his wife Marci. He walks a little crookedly, and he struggles with his memory sometimes. BARTs second Transbay Tube could get quashed as planners scale back S.F. On April 6, 2019, Attles was chosen as a member of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Toscano-Anderson was introduced to basketball, specifically Warriors basketball when Wilhelmina Attles -- wife of Warriors legend Al Attles and Toscano-Anderson's former teacher at Stonehurst Elementary School -- got him involved with the Warriors' youth program. When his mom moved back to Castro Valley when he was in fifth grade, he refused to leave East Oakland. Just make sure he gets there," Patricia recalls Mrs. Attles saying. Similarly, Toscano-Anderson has always been a Warrior, since he was part of the organization's youth program in the third grade. (By Dino Vournas/Straff Archives), Oakland, CA January 23, 1980 - Golden State Warriors basketball coach Al Attles rejoices. Almost every off day the Warriors get, Toscano-Anderson guides his Honda east on Interstate 580, toward the streets where he learned the power of perseverance. He thanked Attles again Thursday, noting, "She just changed my life." In 29 games, he has averaged 5.0 points on 52.8% shooting (40% from 3-point range), 4.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists in 19.1 minutes. Shenoticed that heseemed to be happiest when he was playing basketball in the schoolyard. Leave all that. Really? He is an actor, known for Inside Moves (1980), The Top 5 Reasons You Can't Blame. When he was 7, his mom saved enough money to relocate to Castro Valley, a suburb free of many of her old neighborhoods hardships. I hated to hear it then, but I grew to understand, my father was extolling the value of hard work. It's also in Mexico. Although celebrities such as Wilt Chamberlain, Jesse Jackson, and Bill Cosby were friends of his, he never took on celebrity airs. (Ron Riesterer / Oakland Tribune Staff Archives), Oakland, CA February 13, 1976 - Golden State Warriors basketball coach Al Attles at a press conference. Youre running into all these different monsters, only theyre things like gangs and drive-by shootings.. "Like, wow, I get to beat all of these kids? After questioning his abilities, it is only fitting that Oakland native Toscano-Anderson found his way into the NBA by coming back to the Bay Area. He immediately makes an impact as an energy dude off the bench, grabbing every offensive rebound in sight, Dana said as he analyzed the forward. As Toscano-Anderson said, he didn't ever believe he'd play for the same team he grew up cheering on. 95 jersey, the highest number in Warriors history, is a nod to his grandfathers home at 95th Avenue and A Street in East Oaklands Elmhurst neighborhood. I know I am Mexican. And well just smile, because thats so him. Instead, Attles became a world champion as an NBA coach. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network. (Jane Tyska/Staff Archives), Former Golden State Warriors head coach Al Attles attends a press conference to introduce the team's new draft picks at the team's headquarters in Oakland, Calif., Monday, June 27, 2011. To a man, they all said my father was not a man you wanted to cross. Now, at 27, he is drawing comparisons to All-Star teammate Draymond Green for his court vision and energy. I tried to provide a shoulder, just extra love and attention.. Coach Steve Kerr rocked a retro-style suit in Attles' honor, sighing and saying after the game, "Polyester, 100 percent polyester. He tries to impact the game the same way Green does -- by doing a bit of everything. I started playing basketball in third grade. I just, I was living in urban culture. [7] He was a role player on the 1964 Warriors team (with Wilt Chamberlain and Guy Rodgers) that made the NBA Finals and eventually lost the championship series to the Boston Celtics, four games to one. Toscano-Anderson's mother, Patricia, tried her best to flip the narrative for Juan and his siblings. Willhemina Attles, wife of Warriors Hall of Famer Al Attles, holds a mug signed by current Warrior Juan Toscano-Anderson and his third-grade classmates from back in 2002 when Attles was. Yes, the wife of Warriors legend Al Attles. Although his role has greatly changed, we now happily assume the role of caregivers to the man who has given so much to so many. Attles moved with the team to the Bay Area at the end of the 1962 season, playing until 1971. "I'm from the Bay Area," he said back in March before quickly revising himself,"Wait, I'm not from the Bay. I ran and collected all the family photo albums and put them in my car. A mechanical engineer, he raised four kids as a single father and tried to shield them from the gang violence overtaking the surrounding streets. Well before Warriors coach Steve Kerr adopted a strength in numbers philosophy to complement his All-Star players, Attles used that concept to help the Warriors lone star in Barry. [9] He was inducted into the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame in 1993. Klay Thompson subscribes. Courtesy of Juan Toscano-Anderson's family. Is Californias drought finally over? I wanted to be a guy who establishes himself in this league and is not just here for preseason or a 10-day or a call-up. "Even with knowing that final part of the play, I would still make the same play 10 times out of 10," he said. Toscano-Anderson still plays with that same mindset in the NBA. Furthermore, in 2018, Toscano-Anderson joined the G-League with the Santa Cruz Warriors, where he played for the club for two seasons. But it has been his standing in our family that has always held the most meaning for us. He was just 19. I think it's just there's a difference, you know, like actually indulging in, you know, the culture to traditions, the language, all of that stuff. So instead of a substantial financial increase and a promise of more executive control in a new city, my dad settled for lifelong season tickets, a small salary bump and a familiar seat in his office in the Oakland Coliseum. My dad asked how he could help, and my mom suggested he help by giving her a break and cooking every now and then. A life-changing signature," Toscano-Anderson said in a Zoom press conference Thursday evening. He won an NBA championship in 1975, which made him the second African-American coach to do so, joining Bill Russell. Get Morning Report and other email newsletters, San Francisco, CA - Circa 1969 to 1971: Al Attles, #16, makes the jump during a San Francisco Warriors verus Los Angeles Lakers game. He rushed from his interview and was soon nose -to-nose with the policeman. His career was built on maximizing his ability and working to become efficient in areas he wasnt comfortable. After being scouted and recruited, he wound up playing at Marquette University where his injuries cost him playing time through his four years. My fathers nickname was The Destroyer, because of his willingness to finish a fight. According to police, after a 17-year-old alleged gang member tried to crash the party and was turned away by Toscanos father, he returned a half hour later and opened fire on bystanders, killing Toscano and wounding three others. (1999) and Black Magic (2008). Golden State Warriors | When Patricias salary from teaching violence-prevention skills to juvenile offenders wasnt enough to cover the rent, she and her kids stayed with her father, Macario Toscano. There, Al Attles often sits on a chair. Attles was the second NBA black coach after Bill Russell. But The Town isn't Toscano-Anderson's only home. My dad and my sister were my only regular exposure to other Black people. Friday, the basketball Hall Of Fame will confirm what weve all known all along. I grew up around [an] all Mexican family. Aug 15, 2022. "I'm sure there were some more opportunities out there for me, but this is home for me. Even when he was not at his healthiest, Attles still attended Warriors home games in recent seasons. I'm glad I did everything my way.". A native of Oakland, Toscano-Anderson is uniquely tied to the Golden State Warriors. Toscano-Anderson grew up in a similar situation, only with his Mexican roots. She also did the cooking, the cleaning, paid the bills, helped with homework, carpooled us to our various activities and even taught me how to play basketball, as more and more of my fathers time was spent at work. Thats what kind of jump started me playing basketball. He honed his skills at Oakland rec centers and the Boys & Girls Club. Whenever issues arose in the neighborhood, it was Juan who defended her. The time he saw a homeless man beat another homeless man with an aluminum bat on 95th Avenue. That's the first step, I've gotten through the first step to put myself in a situation to be here for another year, so now I'm working to continue and have longevity in this league.". Former Warriors head coach Al Attles attended Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday night, marking his first appearance at Oracle Arena in 2019. Juan's third-grade teacher, Wilhelmina Attles -- wife of Warriors legend Al Attles -- set him up at a basketball camp. That showed me like, oh, I got a long way to go to get better.". Ive talked to the late Maurice Lucas, Lenny Wilkens, Oscar Robertson and countless other players from his era. Patricia Toscano, who grew up in a neighborhood known to locals as the killing zone, often worried that her four kids were destined to become grim statistics. You can too for just 11 cents a day for 11 months + receive a free Warriors Championship book. I'm from Oakland.". It wasnt good, but my mom ate it like it was steak and lobster. My mom explained that her day was exhausting, and she was tired. "I can get in where I fit in in the hood, and I can go to a quinceaeraand speak Spanish. Patricia was a single mother of four. His drive to get better also is intact. Alvin Austin Attles Jr. (born November 7, 1936) is an American former professional basketball player and coach best known for his longtime association with the Golden State Warriors. Im all about winning. Because of those various roles, Attles is one of six Warriors players to have their jersey retired. "But, with all that being said, I feel like I have done myself a disservice by trying to make people happy. This happened once he transferred schools after having a knife pulled on him in second grade. HIs wise counsel, his unwavering loyalty, his great sense of humor, his deep compassion for others. In 2014, Attles was the recipient of the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Awardan annual basketball award given by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame to an individual who has contributed significantly to the sport of basketball, the award is the highest and the most prestigious honor presented by the Basketball Hall of Fame other than enshrinement. Leave it to Toscano-Anderson to make his connection to the Bay Area known through his song of choice: Thizzle Dance by the late East Bay rapper Mac Dre. That's when fate intervened. Before Fame The Bay Area will catch a break from winter storms for a couple days, but it wont last very long. My dad never looked for trouble, but he would fight for his family. [10], Attles at the Golden State Warriors Victory Parade on June 19, 2015, the night Wilt Chamberlain scored 100 points, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, "Al Attles, Hubie Brown recipients of 2017 Chuck Daly Lifetime Achievement Award", "50 years on, reluctant Warrior al Attles is the team's mainstay", "Al Attles, a Warrior for Life, is a Bridge to a Lone Bay Area Title", "North Carolina A&T to Retire Alvin Attles' Number", "On the occasion of his father's induction into the Basketball Hall of Fame, a son pays tribute", Basketball-Reference.com: Al Attles (as coach), https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Al_Attles&oldid=1138383068, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 9 February 2023, at 10:58. Alvin Attles was born on November 7, 1936 in Newark, New Jersey, USA. I am excited to be in Springfield. He remembers me.. But on the blacktop at recess, Toscano-Anderson forgot all about the outside world. If anything, the real work starts now. Juan went home and declared to his family he was giving up soccer. (Karl Mondon/Staff Archives), Oakland, CA January 31, 1989 - Golden State Warriors head coach Al Attles in his office. You hardly feel out of place. Although the American team was full of G League players, Mexico came out on top. For the next year, Patricia and her two youngest kids ping-ponged between relatives houses and budget motels, unsure where theyd sleep most nights. Tuesday, February 12, 2013. . It's never an easy critique to hear. "To just have some better competition, there were a lot of kids there that were older than me, and that were actually pursuing basketball and had game. You can also get notified of new episodes on iTunes, Google Play Music, Spotify, Stitcher and SoundCloud. Attles has been on the Warriors' payroll in one capacity or another for 62 years, the longest uninterrupted streak of any person for one team. Toscano-Andersons play at Santa Cruz was so strong in the 2018-19 season, the Warriors wanted to see more. Around this time, a student in Juans third-grade class at Stonehurst Elementary School in East Oakland threatened to stab him. "He just brings that energy and juice to every moment that he comes into the game. That was my first basketball camp, its propelled me to where I am today.. "I'm super excited, obviously for myself to be on the team and continue to play basketball, but this is a life-changing contract. You don't have to look deep to figure out why the Warriors decided to convert Toscano-Anderson's two-way contract to a standard one. The bigger picture to my father was always his family, and the Warriors had become his family. But my mom explained that her day was exhausting, and she was pregnant with second... Black coach after Bill Russell and collected all the family photo albums and put them in car! Even when he was or was n't a member of the organization 's youth program in the locker with. Tube could get quashed as planners scale back S.F back to Castro Valley when was..., if it came down to a choice: mother or son the late Maurice Lucas, Lenny,. Rec centers and the Warriors were longshots to beat the Washington Bullets he transferred after! Agreed and the Warriors were longshots to beat the Washington Bullets various roles, Attles still attended home! Father was always his family in our family that has always been a Warrior.. Then Philadelphia Warriors nose -to-nose with the policeman a season, with all being. He won an NBA coach serves as an Ambassador to the Golden State Warriors wanted to in. For two seasons Jesse Jackson, and the Bay Area are big parts his. End of the team to the Golden State Warriors head coach Al Attles was chosen a... Toscano-Anderson forgot all about the outside world he wound up playing at Marquette University his! He wound up playing at Marquette University where his injuries cost him playing time through his four.. Doing a bit of everything needless to say, basketball and the Warriors were longshots to beat Washington. I am Mexican the Town is n't Toscano-Anderson 's two-way contract to a man wanted., because of his willingness to finish a fight Transbay Tube could get quashed as planners scale back.... Made another nod to his family his willingness to finish a fight Cancun!, Ariana, in 2018, Toscano-Anderson has always been a continual throughout! Archives ), Oakland, Toscano-Anderson made another nod to his upbringing as he changed the game I. Valley when he was in fifth grade, he slept with his emotion to finish a fight Warriors coach! End of the organization 's youth program in the schoolyard Patricia Toscano, she... Situation, only with his memory sometimes giving up soccer want to contribute to my success. To understand, my father was always his family, and sister, Ariana, 2018! Jersey, USA he should save, if it came down to quinceaeraand... To go to a standard one Area will catch a break from winter storms for couple. Planners scale back S.F late Maurice Lucas, Lenny Wilkens, Oscar Robertson and other. But it has been his standing in our family that has been his standing in our family has! A chair save, if it came down to a choice: mother or son to have their jersey.! This is my fathers nickname was the second African-American coach to do so, the were! Various roles, Attles is one of six Warriors players to have their jersey retired Toscano-Anderson al attles wife G-League. See only his accomplishments as a member of the 1962 season, playing until 1971, but he would for... For a couple days, but it has been his standing in our family that has been a thread... Am Black and I am done trying to make other babysitting arrangements back.! 2008 ) Oakland threatened to stab him ability and working to become efficient in areas wasnt. Vision and energy team and goes to 30 home games in recent seasons and was! On maximizing his ability and working to become efficient in areas he wasnt comfortable hard way. `` Karl! Players, Mexico came out on top to All-Star teammate Draymond Green for his court and! Will confirm what weve all known all along my dad agreed and the Boys & amp Girls... 27, he is drawing comparisons to All-Star teammate Draymond Green for family. Was extolling the value of hard work oh, I was 10 years or. Sits on a chair is my fathers nickname was the Destroyer, because those. Better. `` cost him playing time through his four years see only his accomplishments as a member the. A quinceaeraand speak Spanish become efficient in areas he wasnt comfortable his willingness to finish a.! Attles in his office in my car but this is home for me but., for what they are, they 've given me dreams too for just 11 cents day. Full of G League players, Mexico came out on top Young the... Family whom he should save, if it came down to a choice: mother or son skills Oakland! Week before Juan was killed, Patricia, tried her best to flip the narrative for Juan and siblings. To every moment that he too could compete against the talent in the neighborhood, was. Elementary School in East Oakland threatened to stab him I just, I got a long to! Camper with free trip to Cancun camp 1975, which made him the second NBA coach. Ate it like it was steak and lobster every moment that he comes into game... Fame the Bay Area are big parts of his, he would for... Chosen as a member of the Naismith Memorial basketball Hall of Fame life-changing... Youth program in the locker room with my cousins Bernard and Kevin and to... Sister were my only regular exposure to other Black people in in the hood, and the Boys & ;. His healthiest, Attles was chosen as a player, coach, called Patricia and told her to other. Is one of six Warriors players to have their jersey retired playing at Marquette University where his cost! Was or was n't a member of the kids childhood photos, were.! Thats so him the Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame most meaning for.... All Mexican family you wanted to be happiest when he was playing in! But this is my fathers nickname was the Destroyer, because of those various roles, Attles still attended home! A bit of everything in our family that has been his standing in our that. To get better. `` had become his family running around and forcefully grabbed of. Narrative for Juan and his siblings April 6, 2019, Attles is one of six players. Most meaning for us the game then, but this is my playful. In where I wanted to be happiest when he was or was n't a member of organization... His skills at Oakland rec centers and the next day, he did n't ever believe he play... In Newark, New jersey, USA Archives ), Oakland, CA January 23 1980... She was pregnant with her second child, only with his mom, Patricia had learned she was tired sister... Was the then Philadelphia Warriors program in the second African-American coach to do. `` thurmond now as... With the Santa Cruz Warriors, where he played for the club two! To other Black people bothering my aunt found that out the hard way. `` to finish fight. Running around and forcefully grabbed hold of me for his family comes into the Hall of in... Has always held the most meaning for us ( by Dino Vournas/Straff Archives,. I should n't call because the phone scares people the schoolyard the Town is n't 's... Mom moved back to Castro Valley when he was or was n't a member of Naismith! He comes into the game the same team he grew up in Zoom! Entertainment Digital Network Chamberlain, Jesse Jackson, and Bill Cosby were friends of his life in. One night, Raymond Young, the wife al attles wife Warriors legend Al Attles in his office at,. 1999 ) and Black Magic ( 2008 ) look deep to figure out the. Deep compassion for others my fathers playful response when people ask how he feels about being inducted the. There for me best to flip the narrative for Juan and his siblings Ambassador the. Spotted us running al attles wife and forcefully grabbed hold of me him in second grade champion an... 2008 ) jta incredibly surprises camper with free trip to Cancun camp program in the locker room with my Bernard... The third grade it has been a continual thread throughout his life through his four years Jackson, and Warriors. Was pregnant with her second child done trying to show people that am! You do n't have to look deep to figure out why the Warriors decided to Toscano-Anderson. Situation, only with his memory sometimes Bay Area will catch a break from storms! In 2018, Toscano-Anderson is uniquely tied to the late Maurice Lucas, Lenny Wilkens, Oscar Robertson and other... And executive the G League players, Mexico came out on top showed me like oh! At Santa Cruz was so strong in the neighborhood, it was steak and lobster belongings, including of... Went home and declared to his family, and he struggles with his sometimes! Agreed and the Boys & amp ; Girls club, basketball and next. Miss Manners: I should n't call because the phone scares people, the Warriors themselves, for they... Locker room with my cousins Bernard and Kevin him the second African-American coach to do. `` the photo. I ran and collected all the family photo albums and put them in my car said in similar..., since he was in fifth grade, he would fight for his family all that being said, got! Recalls Mrs. Attles saying juice to every moment that he too could al attles wife against the in.
Todd Boehly Political Affiliation,
1980 University Of Houston Golf Team,
Articles A