2015 Basketball HOF Finalists announced

It is NBA All Star Game Weekend and with the sporting world tuned into the world of hoops it is the perfect time for them to announce the Finalists for the Basketball Hall of Fame.

The Basketball Hall of Fame does not reflect only the Pro Game in the NBA but the International, College, and Women’s game.  There are ten North American Finalists and two Women’s Finalists.

This year’s finalists are:

Dick Bavetta: The former NBA referee retired after the 2013/14 season after officiating 2,635 consecutive games, an iron man record for officials.  He was a referee for 27 NBA Finals and was the first NBA referee to be a part of the Olympics when he officiated at the 1992 Summer Games. 

John Calipari: A College coaching legend, John Calipari is a two time Naismith Coach of the Year (1996 and 2009) and is currently the Head Coach of Kentucky, who he took to the National Championship in 2012.   If Calipari does not get in this year, based on the future of the Wildcats if he does not get into this year, he will eventually get in.

Bill Fitch: Coaching in the NBA for twenty-five years, Bill Fitch won the NBA Championship in 1981 with the Boston Celtics, and was the Head Coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers “Miracle At Richfield”.  Fitch does have a losing record however as a professional coach, and there is a good chance he will passed over this year.

Tim Hardaway:  Ranked at 11 by Notinhalloffame.com, Tim Hardaway is a five time All Star and a five time All NBA Selection (one First Team, three Second Team and one Third Team) and is a former WAC Player of the Year at UTEP.  Hardaway is also a famed member of the Golden State Warriors famed “Run TMC” group and is currently fourteenth all-time in NBA Assists.

Spencer Haywood:  Ranked at _____ by Notinhalloffame.com, Spencer Haywood has been a Finalist for the Hall of Fame the last two years.  Haywood is a former ABA MVP and two time First Team NBA All Star.  He helped the Los Angeles Laker win the NBA Championship in 1980 and has a 20.3 Points Per Game Average.

Robert Hughes:  Hughes coached Texas High School Basketball for forty-seven years and has a 1,333 and 247 record with thirty-five district championships and five state championships.

Kevin Johnson:  Ranked at 13 by Notinhalloffame.com , “KJ” is the first player in NBA history to average 20 Points, 10 Assists, 2 Steals and a .500 Field Goal Shooting Percentage in a season.  Johnson is a four time Second Team NBA All Star and a one time Third Team All Star.  Johnson would become the Mayor of his hometown of Sacramento and was instrumental in the team from moving.

Dikembe Mutombo:  Ranked #1 by Notinhalloffame.com.  Mutombo is in his first year of eligibility and the finger wagging blocker is a four time NBA Defensive Player of the Year and a eight time NBA All Star.  Mutombo also is also twice a Second Team All NBA Selection and once a Third Team All NBA choice and is also a two time Rebounding Champion and three time Block Champion. 

Bo Ryan:  The current head Coach of Wisconsin, Bo Ryan has a .763 Winning Percentage in the NCAA and is a four time coaching in Division III. 

Jo Jo White:  Ranked at _____ by Notinhalloffame.com, Jo Jo White is a seven time NBA All Star and a two time NBA Champion with the Boston Celtics.  White would be named the Finals MVP in 1976 and is a former Olympic Champion.

 

The two Women’s Committee Finalists are:

Leta Andrews: Andrews has coached for fifty years in five different Texas high schools and has the most wins of any High School Basketball coach, male or female.

Lisa Leslie:  Leslie is one of the most successful female players of all time.  She is a former three time WNBA MVP, four time Olympic Gold Medalist and was rightfully the first overall draft pick of the WNBA



The Basketball Hall of Fame has also announced five direct elects from five different committees.  They are:

Louie Dampier who was selected by the ABA Committee.  Dampier played in the ABA during the entire duration of the league, all with the Kentucky Colonels.  He was a seven time ABA All Star. 

John Isaacs who was selected by the Early African American Pioneers Committee.  Isaacs was a star player in the late 30’s and 40’s for all black basketball teams.

Lindsay Gaze who was selected by the International Committee.  Gaze played for three Australian National teams at the Olympics and coached them in another four. 

Tom Heinsohn who was selected by the Veterans Committee.  Heinsohn was the 1957 Rookie of the Year and was a four time Second Team All NBA Selection.  He helped the Boston Celtic win eight championships and would win another two as their Head Coach.

George Raveling who was selected by the Contributors Committee.  Raveling is a former college coach and commentator.


It should be noted that our current Notinhalloffame.com rank only includes players from the NBA and College. 

Based on our rankings, we are again disgusted by the omission of Chris Webber, whose past issues at the University of Michigan is likely the cause for the snub.