25 Years Ago: Northwest Flight 255

[Gaddabout]

You're going to see a lot of coverage tomorrow of the 25-anniversary of the crash of Flight 255 that claimed the life of Nick Vanos, his new wife, and 146 other people. Only a 4-year-old girl survived.

I remember thinking it seemed like a curse to be a Suns player. Forget the Suns history -- this was a potentially outstanding NBA career wiped out overnight, and amazing underdog tale. In just a very short spell (26 games, IIRC), Nick Vanos had gone from NBA nobody to one of the most promising young centers in the NBA -- a double-double machine and a legitimate 7-footer. He was skilled in the pick-and-roll and benefitted from the addition of rookie PG Kevin Johnson acquired in the Nance trade. He could play defense.

Just a sad story all the way around.

 

[elindholm]

It's definitely a tragedy, but I sure don't remember Vanos as a budding star; the loss of life was the only thing that made an impression on me. Are you sure about those statistics?

 

[Brian in Mesa]

It's definitely a tragedy, but I sure don't remember Vanos as a budding star; the loss of life was the only thing that made an impression on me. Are you sure about those statistics?

Suns Center Among Dead In Jet Crash; Vanos Had Improved To Starter Status

http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-1338517.html

August 18, 1987

At a Phoenix Suns minicamp nearly a month ago, Nick Vanos literally was the center of attention.

Although the camp primarily was for free agents trying to make the National Basketball Association team, Vanos and a few other Suns veterans showed up to work on their skills and take advantage of the competition.

For the 7-foot-2, 260-pound Vanos, who had come on strong at the end of last season, this was a chance to continue making a good impression. After two mostly unproductive seasons, Vanos played so well over the final 10 games of the regular season he emerged as the team's No. 1 center.

 

[Phrazbit]

... my dad was a pilot for Northwest at the time, that was an awful day. As a kid it was the first time I really thought about jets doing anything but being awesome.

 

[Gaddabout]

It's definitely a tragedy, but I sure don't remember Vanos as a budding star; the loss of life was the only thing that made an impression on me. Are you sure about those statistics?

I'd find his late-season per-game stats if I could, but I do remember comparisons to Bob Lanier -- one of them from Alvan Adams. He came in being able to play post-up defense and not much else. He developed his left around the bucket. By the end of the season it was pretty impossible to defend, and he was gaining confidence to use it.

 

[Gee!]

He was skilled in the pick-and-roll and benefitted from the addition of rookie PG Kevin Johnson acquired in the Nance trade.

I dont remember Vanos and KJ being on the same Suns team at all.. Of course I was only 11 at the time and do remember the plane crash.. But I believe Vanos died before we even traded for KJ..

 

[Gaddabout]

I dont remember Vanos and KJ being on the same Suns team at all.. Of course I was only 11 at the time and do remember the plane crash.. But I believe Vanos died before we even traded for KJ..

You're right, of course. My memory blended those together. KJ was drafted in June of 87. Suns traded for him the next season.

 

[Gaddabout]

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/sun...ick-vanos-death-still-hurts-phoenix-suns.html

 

[Billy Bob]

You're right, of course. My memory blended those together. KJ was drafted in June of 87. Suns traded for him the next season.

You may be thinking of Jonny High, he died in a car wreck around that time.