NBA Hall of Famer Al Attles has the unique distinction of being the longest-tenured employee in the history of a single team, dedicating over six decades to the Warriors organization as a player, coach, general manager, vice president, and consultant. Attles’ journey with the Warriors began when he was drafted in the fifth round of the 1960 NBA Draft by the Philadelphia Warriors. As a point guard, he spent 11 seasons with the franchise, including nine seasons after the team relocated to San Francisco. Attles ranks eighth in franchise history with 711 games played, boasting career averages of 8.9 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game. In the final two seasons of his playing career, he also served on the coaching staff.
In 1970, Attles was named Head Coach of the Warriors, a position he held for 13 years. During his tenure, he became the winningest coach in franchise history with 557 victories and coached more games (1,075) than anyone else in Warriors history, a record only recently approached by current Head Coach Steve Kerr, who joined Attles as the only coaches in team history to surpass 500 career wins.
“Most of the great organizations with a lot of history have one player who everybody associates with that franchise,” Steve Kerr said. “Al Attles is that guy for us. He’s the face of our franchise for many generations of Warriors fans. We’re lucky to have him.”
Attles’ most notable achievement as a coach was leading the Warriors to the 1975 NBA Championship with a stunning 4-0 sweep of the Washington Bullets, making him just the second African American Head Coach to win an NBA title. He followed this triumph by winning a career-high 59 games in the 1975-76 season.
“This is an incredibly humble man who has never sought any attention whatsoever for anything he’s done,” said former Warrior and long-time broadcaster Jim Barnett. “When they won it all in ’75, he deflected the praise. I think of class and grace when it comes to Al. I think of a gentleman.”
As General Manager for the Warriors, Attles continued his legacy by drafting future Hall of Famers Chris Mullin and Robert Parish. He joined them in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2019.
“He [Attles] played many different roles in the Warriors organization and was always very aware of the job he held and the jobs around him,” Mullin remarked. “He always understood it was a big responsibility and avoided critiquing what another person was doing. He was always there to support and make the place better.”
Attles’ ability to impact others was one of his most outstanding qualities, as noted by many who worked alongside him.
“There was something authentic and genuine about him as a person — he was the light and lamp of the team,” said Hall of Famer Jamaal Wilkes, who won Rookie of the Year and a championship under Attles’ leadership in his first season.
Warriors Co-Executive Chairman Joe Lacob echoed these sentiments, saying, “Alvin’s name has become synonymous with the Warriors franchise after dedicating his entire adult life to our organization, dating clear back to our final seasons in Philadelphia
