Heck, he wears it on his chest and back every time he puts on his Golden State Warriors jersey. Alvin, wake up! Now living this childhood dream, Toscano-Anderson returned to Chase Center not as someone on the preseason roster contending for a spot, but as a Golden State Warrior. In Game 4 of the 1975 Finals, Riordan walked up to Rick Barry and shoved the Warriors star. One half of one percent of people looking to play professional basketball will even get the opportunity to try out.. After joining the former Philadelphia Warriors in 1960 as the clubs fifth-round draft choice, Attles became known as The Destroyer during his 11-year NBA career because of his unyielding physical presence along with 8.9 points, 3.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists. After averaging 3.8 points per game over his four-year career at Marquette, Toscano-Anderson didnt receive a single offer to play overseas, much less in the NBA. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot concedes defeat, Southern California home sales fall to all-time low, Denver just got a direct flight to this Caribbean island known for music history and vegetarian cooking, NYC Mayor Adams dismisses need to separate church and state, declares himself a servant of God, Zero-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack and stroke, study finds, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. I was 10 years old or so and ran around playing tag in the locker room with my cousins Bernard and Kevin. When he was 7, his mom saved enough money to relocate to Castro Valley, a suburb free of many of her old neighborhoods hardships. His career was built on maximizing his ability and working to become efficient in areas he wasnt comfortable. Tap into Getty Images' global scale, data-driven insights, and network of more than 340,000 creators to create content exclusively for your brand. "I still did it all my way," Toscano-Anderson said. Barry, however, is less reticent, which is much of the reason he is an. Some nights, he slept with his mom, Patricia Toscano, and sister, Ariana, in their silver sedan. Now on that standard contract, Juan is ready to prove that decision was the right one. That message is easier to tell someone than it is to actually have the words stick. I am excited to be in Springfield. I don't know if it was my pride or selfishness, but I have no regrets.". She was aware of the struggles the Toscano family was facing and wanted to help, so she suggested Toscano-Anderson enroll in the Golden State Warriors youth camp. He also serves as a team ambassador. He thanked Attles again Thursday, noting, "She just changed my life." I remember attending an NBA all-star game one summer at The Forum. As Toscano-Anderson said, he didn't ever believe he'd play for the same team he grew up cheering on. Toscano-Anderson joined the 2018-19 training camp roster of the Santa Cruz Warriors, G League affiliate of Golden State, as a local tryout player. Toscano-Anderson grew up attending Warriors' games at Oracle Arena. "I feel like this situation is just destined," he said. She named him Juan. Point guard who starred for the Philadelphia/Golden State Warriors from 1960-1971, and coached the team from 1970-1983. The court was renamed as Al Attles Court. "I feel like there's more that I need to do," Toscano-Anderson said. Hes been with the Warriors forever. Al Attles, NBA player. I tried to provide a shoulder, just extra love and attention.. pizza favorite shuts down after 13 years, plus more closings, Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). To see your child living his dream, it means everything.. "I had an itch to compete all the time, whether it's who's gonna wash the dishes the fastest, you know, who's going to get from point A to point B, the fastest who's gonna make 100 threes the fastest. He plans on starting with getting his brother a car for his 16th birthday. Millions of high-quality images, video, and music options are waiting for you. I think it's the best of both worlds.". There is a probably apocryphal story to the effect that one of the sportswriters covering the game began his filing with the lede "HERSHEY, Pa. Wilt Chamberlain and Al Attles combined for 117 points last night as the Philadelphia Warriors defeated the New York Knicks 169147." Now Toscano-Anderson is poised to become the first Oakland-born player since the early 1970s to stick on the Warriors roster for three straight seasons. During the 198384 NBA season, Attles worked as the Warriors' general manager. Wilhelmina, the wife of Golden State legend Al Attles, could sense that something troubled her new student. Back when Attles had a sharper memory, his consideration for others left a lasting impact. Alvin Attles wife she was my third grade teacher and I was playing soccer prior to that put me into a Warriors Camp. My dad and my sister were my only regular exposure to other Black people. On Friday against Washington, players wore shooting shirts featuring Attles' likeness. Clifford, who referred to Attles as a father figure to all of us, argued that background helped black NBA players feel more comfortable learning because of the similar cultural background. I knew my family was Mexican. 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. 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. [8] On February 7, 2015, Attles's number 22 was retired by North Carolina A&T, the first ever retired by the team. Her doctor told her she was having a girl. I hated to hear it then, but I grew to understand, my father was extolling the value of hard work. Despite the violence, Toscano-Anderson came to appreciate East Oaklands blue-collar ethos at an early age. When Attles arranged for him to attend the Warriors youth basketball camp for free, she didnt imagine that it would start a hardwood odyssey that would culminate in a roster spot on his hometown NBA team. "I'm super excited, obviously for myself to be on the team and continue to play basketball, but this is a life-changing contract. Sign me up! He played college basketball at North Carolina A&T, and was selected 39th overall in the 1960 NBA draft. It never happened because The Destroyer rushed to Barrys defense, leisure suit and all. 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. He won an NBA championship in 1975, which made him the second African-American coach to do so, joining Bill Russell. (Staff Archives), Al Attles, former Golden State Warriors player and head coach, seen during an interview in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, Feb. 8, 2011. 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. This is my fathers playful response when people ask how he feels about being inducted into the Hall of Fame. NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network. I never thought in a million years Id be playing for the Warriors, let alone in the NBA, but its exciting for myself, for my family, for my friends, and for the people of Oakland.. Toscano-Andersons performance at the 2015 FIBA Americas championship was enough to land him a contract from Mexicos top league. IRS delays tax deadline for Bay Area, but California hasn't followed: What should you do? I was just like, This is insane, Toscano-Anderson said. Even when he was not at his healthiest, Attles still attended Warriors home games in recent seasons. Al Attles, who played with and coached Barry and is now a vice president in the organization, also has little to say. My father is a true example of hard work, commitment and unwavering integrity. My father is as humble as they come. Now that I have this opportunity to play for the Warriors what I plan to do is just be me: be a great teammate, be the hardest playing guy on the floor, whatever it takes to win. Several teams came looking to throw big money at him, hoping they would lure him away with more than Mr. Meuli could offer. He took over as player-coach for the last season of his career, and remained as head coach until 1983 (save for 21 games in 1980). It was 20 years ago when teacher Wilhelmina Attles, wife of former Warriors star player and coach Al Attles, encouraged Toscano-Anderson to play basketball. "I always said, 'You guys have two reasons to be proud,' " Toscano-Anderson's mothersaid. Jeff Mullins and . Many people see only his accomplishments as a player, coach, and executive. Following a short stint as the Warriors general manager in 1983-84, Attles retired and became a regular fixture at Warriors home games. And playing alongside players such as Steph Curry and Draymond Green and seeing the championship trophies the Warriors won without him is constantly humbling him and serves as reminders as to what level he wants to reach. But Ridder added, his family is going to play it by ear on whether he attends. Nicknamed the "Destroyer",[2][3] he played the point guard position and spent his entire 11 seasons (19601971) in the National Basketball Association (NBA) with the team, joining it when it was still based in Philadelphia and following it to the Bay Area in 1962. Then, one day in spring 2015, Attles received a small package containing a program from the Marquette University mens basketball program and a letter. "But, with all that being said, I feel like I have done myself a disservice by trying to make people happy. The team would make the playoffs only once more for the remainder of his tenure as coach. I am versatile. 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. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. My fathers nickname was The Destroyer, because of his willingness to finish a fight. Around this time, a student in Juans third-grade class at Stonehurst Elementary School in East Oakland threatened to stab him. Its nice they are recognizing someone who has been committed to the game of basketball.. Al Attles was born on November 7, 1936 in Newark, NJ. Bay Area gets a break from winter storm. The Hall of Fame honor comes 59 years after Alvin Austin Attles, Jr. was drafted in the fifth round by the Philadelphia Warriors out of North Carolina A&T. He will turn 83 in November. Attles coached the Warriors until 1983, compiling a 557518 regular-season record (588548 including playoffs) with six playoff appearances in 14 seasons. I remember walking to in the house one day to find Marvin Gaye sitting in our living room. Yes, the wife of Warriors legend Al Attles. I know I am Mexican. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. Tahoe snow: Massive blizzard wreaks havoc on the Sierra, burying Another winter storm? "We were houseless, we lived in a car, and from here and there to different places," Patricia said. I get to enjoy everything I get to do with my family. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. Before returning to his luxury apartment near Chase Center in San Francisco, Toscano-Anderson feasts at his favorite Mexican restaurant, Mariscos La Costa on International Boulevard. But just three months after Patricia moved in, the house she was renting burned down in an electrical fire in the middle of the night while Juan and Ariana were at a slumber party. Heres when rain, snow will return. Seventeen days after her due date, Patricia went into labor. But hey, hes here and Im here. To Toscano-Anderson, this meant that he too could compete against the talent in the G League. My mother, Wilhelmina, worked full time as a schoolteacher (almost forty years). They've been here ever since. He is married to Willhemina Rice. Dear Abby: Why do they imply my husband is a freak? As kids, my sister once told my dad about a boy who was messing with at her at school. "And at the end of the day, when it's all said and done, even if I fail, I can always look myself in the mirror and say I did it Juan's way. On a handful of chilly nights, when Patricia couldnt afford a motel and no relatives had a spare room, she slept in the passenger seat while Juan and Ariana were in the back, their blankets pulled tight. Riordan was looking to give his team a spark, or worse yet trying to get Barry thrown out of the game for retaliating. She thanked Attles for all shed done for Juan in third grade and told her that he was about to graduate from Marquette with a bachelors degree in criminology. But I never really indulged in the culture, per se. . After visiting his mom in San Leandro and getting a trim at Phat Fades Barbershop on East 14th Street, he stops by his grandpas house on 95th Avenue. That yellow, single-story house with a lime tree in the front yard has long been a family haven. 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