Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
Chris Mullin, who during his 13 years with the team became one of the most beloved Golden State Warriors of all time, will see his jersey go up in the rafters tonight during a halftime ceremony. From the San Fran Chronicle:
“I am grateful to (owner) Joe Lacob for (tonight), but No. 1, I am grateful to the fans,’ Mullin said. ‘It was my honor to play in front of them. We bonded together. My career didn’t exactly get off to a blazing start.’ Mullin, the Warriors’ first-round pick in 1985, overcame a rocky first couple of seasons, turning the corner after a 31-day stay in an alcohol-dependency rehabilitation center. ‘I became a man and raised a family in the Bay Area,†Mullin, 48, said. ‘And if you would have told a certain kid from Brooklyn 30 years ago, he would have said you were crazy. I am very grateful to the people in the organization, my family and friends and to the fans. They were all very supportive and inspirational.’
Mullin will become the sixth player in team history to have his jersey number retired, joining Al Attles (No. 16), Rick Barry (No. 24), Wilt Chamberlain (No. 13), Tom Meschery (No. 14) and Nate Thurmond (No. 42). The late Chamberlain will be represented by his sister, Barbara Lewis, tonight and the other four players will also be in attendance. ‘I am proud to have been a part of this storied franchise,’ Mullin said. ‘That’s overlooked, that it’s a storied franchise, because of the recent history. But there have been some incredible people that have played for and worked for this franchise, and that should be recognized. This is a great honor.’
A five-time All-Star, Mullin was just inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in August. It was then that Warriors owner Lacob first extended the olive branch to Mullin.â€
