gold star for USAHOF

A final look at this year's Hoops HOF Class



As many of you know, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inducted their Class of 2014 in Springfield, Massachusetts this weekend.  Rather than generate criticism on their process (which we have done often), and the ceremony itself (which we will do in a lengthy piece on the site next weekend), let’s take one final look at those who entered the Hall.

The headliner was former commissioner, David Stern.  Commissioners of major sports are often criticized, and Stern did receive his fair share of it.  Without going into his career in great detail, we will leave you with one undeniable fact: the National Basketball Association had an exponential growth in revenue, exposure and virtually every other metric you can think of.  That alone should deflect any criticism of Stern’s entry to the Hall six months after he retired.

As far as players are concerned, the arguable top player inducted was Alonzo Mourning, who entered on his first year of eligibility.  Mourning was a former two time NBA Defensive Player of the Year who spent the bulk of his career and best seasons with the Miami Heat.  He would retire with a 17.1 Points per Game Average and would twice be named a post season All NBA Team.  Mourning, an NBA Champion in 2006 with Miami and was number 2 on our previous list for Hall of Fame consideration.

Mitch Richmond also entered the Hall of Fame, though his wait took a few years.  Richmond was the 1989 NBA Rookie of the year and would make six consecutive All Star Games and over that time span collected three Second Team and two Third Team All NBA Selections.  He would win the NBA Championship in his final season in the NBA while playing for the Los Angeles Lakers, though it was his Sacramento that he had his best seasons and would have his number retired by the organization.

Former Point Guard, Guy Rodgers, who played from 1958 to 1970 entered as a Veterans Committee Selection.  Rodgers was an NBA All Star four times and led the league in Assists twice.

From Lithuania, the International Committee chose Sadunas Marciulonis, who was one of the first regular European players in the NBA.  His entry was largely a part of his near single handed resurrection of the Lithuania Basketball Program after the fall of the Soviet Union.  The United States “Dream Team” got the press in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, but it was the Bronze Medal of Lithuania that was the feel good story of the Games.  He was also named as FIBA’s 50 greatest players in 1991.

The African American Pioneer Committee gave the Hall Nat “Sweetwater” Clifton, who was the second black player in the NBA.  Formerly of the Harlem Globetrotters, Clifton began play with the New York Knicks in 1950 and would be named to the All Star Team in 1957.

As always, Coaching inductees are present in this year’s Hall of Fame Class. 

Representing the American Basketball Association, Bob “Slick” Leonard enters on the strength of his three Championships with the Indiana Pacers. It is fitting that Leonard entered as seemingly an Indiana Pacer enters every year from the ABA Selection Committee.

College Coach, Nolan Richardson entered on a .711 Winning Percentage and the strength of a NCAA Championship in 1994 with the Arizona Razorbacks.  Richardson would also appear in three additional Final Fours and was the NCAA Coach of the year, the year he won the title.  He had already entered the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008. 

Richardson is joined by Gary Williams, who also won the NCAA Title.  His championship came with the Maryland Terrapins in 2002 and like Richardson is also a member of the College Basketball Hall of Fame, though he got in this year.

The women’s teams of Immaculata College, who in the early 1970’s won three consecutive AIAW Championship’s, a stunning feat for a small Philadelphia College, round out the group. 

Again, as mentioned we will take a much deeper look at this ceremony in the weeks to come, but for now lets congratulate this class for receiving what for many is the ultimate honor of their career.


Last modified on Thursday, 19 March 2015 18:47
Committee Chairman

Kirk Buchner, "The Committee Chairman", is the owner and operator of the site.  Kirk can be contacted at [email protected] . Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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