Nate Thurmond, the tenacious defensive center who played with Wilt Chamberlain and was an iconic figure in two cities, died Saturday after a short battle with leukemia. He was 74.

The Golden State Warriors announced the death of one of the team’s most respected players less than a month after they lost the NBA Finals to the Cleveland Cavaliers in seven games. Both franchises previously retired the Akron, Ohio, native’s No. 42.

Thurmond played 11 of his 14 seasons with the Warriors and retired after the 1976-1977 season, one year after leading the “Miracle” Cavaliers to an improbable trip to the Eastern Conference finals.

“Without a doubt, he is one of the most beloved figures to ever wear a Warriors uniform,” Golden State owner Joe Lacob said.

Current Cavalier and Akron native LeBron James said on Twitter: “Knowing u played in the same rec league as me growing up gave me hope of making it out! Thanks!”

The 6-foot-11 Thurmond was voted as one of the best 50 players in NBA history and is considered among the most dominating centers in the game. He was elected to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 1985.

“Nate Thurmond was a giant of his era and one of the greatest players in the history of our game,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said in a statement.

Thurmond’s play and numbers weren’t flashy, but he earned the respect of his peers and knowledgeable basketball fans for his consistency, defense and strength.