While there can be a lot of valid criticism for the Basketball Hall of Fame and the way in which they induct candidates, there is still something special about having your name enshrined with the rest of the legends in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Yesterday, the class of 2015 took their place in a red carpet ceremony at the Hall, and let’s takes a final look at this group of inductees. 


The headliner (in our eyes) is Dikembe Mutombo, one of the greatest defensive players in NBA history.  The Congo born Mutombo won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year four times and was named to a post season All-Defensive team seven times.  The Center was also named a Second Team All-NBA Selection once and made the Third Team twice.  He would also lead the NBA in Rebounds four times and Blocks five times.  Mutombo was ranked first on our Notinhalloffame countdown last year, his first and only time on the list.

A special induction in our eyes is that of Spencer Haywood, who not along ago was told he was inducted only to find that he wasn’t.  Heywood, who was ranked as high as #2 on our list at one point notably challenged the reserve clause to enter the NBA after spending one year dominating the ABA and winning their MVP Award.  As an NBA player, Haywood would make two First Team and two Second Team All NBA rosters and late in his career would win the title with the Los Angeles Lakers. 

The actual headliner is John Calipari, the current coach of the University of Kentucky.  Calipari has a .773 Winning Percentage in the NCAA and won the title with the Wildcats in 2012.  He would take his teams to six Final Fours (though two have been vacated) and has been named the Naismith Coach of the Year three times.

Jojo White, a seven time NBA All Star and two-time NBA Champion with the Boston Celtics, one of which earned him a Finals MVP.  White was named to two Second Team All NBA squads.

Lisa Leslie, one of the best woman’s players ever and three time WNBA MVP.  Leslie would also win two WNBA Titles with the Los Angeles Sparks and four Olympic Gold Medals with the United States.  Leslie was named to eight First Team All-WNBA teams. 

Dick Bavetta, who holds the record for the most games officiated in the NBA and never missed an assignment over his 39 year career.

Louie Dampier, who was with the ABA’s Kentucky Colonels during that league’s entire existence.  Dampier was a seven time ABA All Star, helped the Colonels win the ABA Title in the league’s last year of existence and was a Second Team All-ABA member four times.

Tom Heinsohn, an eight time NBA Champion with the Boston Celtics and two time NBA Champion as the Head Coach of the same team.  As a player, Heinsohn was the Rookie of the Year in 1957 and was the NBA Coach of the Year in 1973.

George Raveling, a former college coach who is Nike’s Global Basketball Marketing Director.

Lindsay Gaze, a former three time player for the Australian Olympic Team and a four time coach of the Australian Olympic Team at the Olympics.

John Issacs, an early African American Player who played for many African-American teams in the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s.

The Notinhalloffame.com Basketball list has been updated since with Allen Iverson now as the top candidate for Springfield.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate this year’s class and encourage all of you to vote on who you think should be in the Basketball Hall of Fame.

The Poker Hall of Fame has announced their ten Finalists for their Hall; an institution that was first established in 1979. 

The Hall, which currently has 48 members has the following criteria that must be met in order to be inducted:



A player must have played poker against acknowledged top competition.

Be a minimum of 40 years old at time of nomination

Played for high stakes

Played consistently well, gaining the respect of peers

Stood the test of time


Or, for non-players, contributed to the overall growth and success of the game of poker, with indelible positive and lasting results.

The ten nominees are:

Swedish born Chris Bjorin, a two-time WSOP Bracelet winner and a past nominee for the past four years.

David Chiu, a Chinese-American player who is a first time nominee and a five-time WSOP Bracelet winner.

Bruno Fitoussi, from France who finished as high as eight in the WSOP, and was a nominee last year.

Jennifer Harman, a two-time WSOP bracelet winner from Reno, Nevada who has been nominated the last four years.

Indonesian born American, John Juanda, a five-time Bracelet winner on the WSOP.

From Spain, Carlos Mortenson, a two-time WSOP Bracelet winner and three time champion on the World Poker Tour.

From Italy, Max Pescatori, a two time WSOP Bracelet winner.

Terry Rogers, one of the top poker players from Ireland.

Matt Savage, an American Tournament Director.

David “Devilsfish” Ulliott, from the United Kingdom and one-time winner of a WSOP Bracelet and one-time winner of the World Poker Tour.

With each passing year, the Poker Hall of Fame increases in prestige as the sport/game continues to grow.

The Class of 2015 will be announced at the final table of the World Series of Poker on November, 10 at Binion’s in Las Vegas. 

Is this an induction to the Baseball Hall of Fame?

Not really…but it is noteworthy at least in our eyes.

During this year’s spring training campaign, comedic actor Will Ferrell played ten positions for ten spring training teams in one day.

While it was a stunt, it was an incredible one at that and one that resulted in a mock plaque from the Baseball Hall of Fame commemorating that accomplishment; though we should mention that on the plaque that there was an HBO logo and a date indicating when his special took place…that being when he where did that task.

It may not be serious, but there was a plaque and Hall of Fame jersey issued to Ferrell…though it is unknown at this time whether it will be displayed in Cooperstown, New York, the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Regardless, it is a fun “induction” and promotion for both MLB and HBO and we know that we will be watching once it comes on television! 

Over the last few months, we here at Notinhalloffame.com have been so focused on other endeavors at the site, that we neglected to tell you about the continuing opportunity fro you to cast your opinion on existing Hockey Hall of Famers.

With that in mind, we here at Notinhhalloffame.com have expended greatly to allow you to vote on Hockey Hall of Fame inductees from 1999-2001.

The Players/Builders from that existing time frame include:

The 1999 Hockey Hall of Fame Class:

Scott Morrison, the former President and the CEO of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Wayne Gretzky, “The Great One” who is considered to be the finest hockey player of all time.

The 2000 Hockey Hall of Fame Class:

Denis Savard, a long time Chicago Blackhawk and seven time All Star who would win a Stanley Cup with Montreal.

Joe Mullen, a three time Stanley Cup Champion, two time Lady Byng Trophy recipient and former First Team All NHL Team.

Walter Bush, who helped bring the NHL to Minnesota, women’s hockey to the Olympics and was the president of U.S. Hockey for nearly twenty years.

The 2001 Hockey Hall of Fame Class:

Craig Patrick, a decent player in his own right but was known for his administrative prowess with the Pittsburgh Penguins earning two Stanley Cup Rings.

Dale Hawerchuk, a former Calder Trophy winner and five time All Star with the original Winnipeg Jets.

Jari Kurri, a Finnish born superstar with the Edmonton Oilers and five time Stanley Cup Champion.

Mike Gartner, a durable forward and seven time NHL All Star. 

Viachevslev Fetisov, a three time Stanley Cup winner with the Detroit Red Wings and a two Time Gold Medalist with the Soviet Union.

I think you know what we are looking for you to do!

When your time permits, take a look at this group and let us know if their Hall of Fame inductions are justified!