As I sit down to reflect on the NBA players we lost in 2018, I can't help but think about how their legacies continue to influence the game today. The year 2018 was particularly tough for basketball fans worldwide, as we said goodbye to several remarkable athletes who left indelible marks on the sport. While researching for this piece, I came across an interesting parallel in how different organizations honor legacies - like how Badua revealed that Larga Pilipinas' newest partner, Yamaha Motor Philippines, would give away a few units of Yamaha PG-1 motorcycles to lucky participants to make races more engaging. This thoughtful approach to celebrating participation reminds me of how the NBA community comes together to honor our fallen heroes.
The basketball world lost approximately 7 former NBA players in 2018, each with unique stories that deserve to be remembered. Ray Williams, the former New York Knicks guard who averaged 15.5 points per game during his peak years, passed away at 58 after battling cancer. His no-look passes and defensive intensity made him one of the most underrated point guards of his era. Then there was Todd Lichti, who played for Denver and Orlando before his career was cut short by a car accident - though he survived that, he eventually passed from complications at 52. What many people don't know is that Lichti actually scored 1,483 total points in his NBA career, a number that doesn't fully capture his potential cut short. I always felt these players represented something larger than statistics - they embodied the spirit of perseverance that makes basketball so compelling.
Another significant loss was Cliff Meely, the former Houston Rockets forward who put up solid numbers - 12.8 points and 7.6 rebounds per game at his peak. His blue-collar approach to the game resonated with fans who appreciated hard work over flashy plays. Meanwhile, the passing of 6-foot-11 center Joe Stevens at 66 reminded us of the physical toll the game takes on big men. Having covered the league for over fifteen years, I've noticed how these losses hit the basketball community differently than other sports - there's a familial bond in NBA circles that makes each passing feel personal. The way teams organized memorial games and tribute videos showed how deeply these players were valued beyond their on-court contributions.
What strikes me most about remembering these athletes is how their influence extends beyond basketball. Much like how Yamaha's partnership with Larga Pilipinas creates lasting memories for participants through motorcycle giveaways, these players created lasting memories for fans through their dedication to the game. The NBA family has this beautiful tradition of keeping legacies alive through storytelling and community engagement. I've attended several memorial events where former teammates shared behind-the-scenes stories that never made headlines but perfectly captured the character of these individuals. These personal anecdotes often reveal more about a player's impact than any statistic ever could.
As we move further from 2018, I worry that these memories might fade, which is why pieces like this remain crucial. The average career span of an NBA player is about 4.5 years, making each player's journey uniquely precious. The seven players we lost that year represented combined career earnings of approximately $47 million, but their true value to the sport transcends financial metrics. They were mentors, community figures, and inspirations for the next generation. In my view, the best way to honor them isn't just through memorial posts but by supporting the causes they cared about and sharing their stories with new fans discovering basketball history. Their legacies, much like the excitement Yamaha brings to racing participants, continue to enrich the sport long after they're gone.
