PHILADELPHIA —News that Allen Iverson is finally out of “answers’’ and will soon officially announce his retirement to start his Hall of Fame induction clock running brings a flood of thoughts and memories to mind. After all, when you cover a guy for more than a decade, observing his NBA career from the start … when you watch him evolve from a pure gunner with no concept of team play to a legitimate MVP recipient on a team that goes to
Generally, the ultimate determinant of where a player’s legacy is inscribed in the history books is their championship ring count. Obviously not every player to suit up on the hardwood has won a ring, yet we still remember some more than others because of their undeniable talents. [Read more…]
In NBA history, only 10 coaches have won more games than Dick Motta, although that is misleading. When he left the NBA after the 1996-97 season, his 935 victories were the third-most. He’s been passed by seven coaches while not coaching. [Read more…]
The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame has undergone two major overhauls. It’s time for another one. Not the dramatic architectural changes of 1985 and 2002, in which new buildings were constructed to accommodate the growth of the greatest sport in the world. No, this overhaul will ensure that sort of renovation won’t be needed again for quite some time. It’s time for an NBA Hall of Fame. Tonight’s ceremonies in Springfield will induct 12 new members to the Hall. And as has often
Did Pat Williams, who’ll be honored at the Hall of Fame this week, save the Bulls franchise for Chicago? nba.com/bulls/history/… — Sam Smith (@SamSmithHoops) September 2, 2012 Click through to a fantastic piece from Hall of Fame writer Sam Smith, who gives us all a history lesson on how Pat Williams — who will be inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame this week — helped keep the Bulls in Chicago.
Jerry Sloan wants back into coaching. The long-time coach of the Utah Jazz, who abruptly resigned midway through the 2010-11 season following a feud with star point guard Deron Williams, will be interviewing for one current vacancy and is interested in another. According to the Salt Lake Tribune, Sloan has spoken with Charlotte Bobcats owner Michael Jordan about the coach opening with the NBA’s worst team and could meet with him as early as this week. The Bobcats are looking for a new
Phoenix Suns forward Grant Hill on Wednesday was named one of the recipients of the Hall of Fame’s Human Spirit Award. The award also is known as “The Mannie Jackson” and is named after the former corporate executive and current owner of the Harlem Globetrotters, a member of the Hall of Fame himself. The award was first given in 2007. Hill was honored from the pro game. The winner for the amateur ranks was Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun and the winner for
Sharpshooter Reggie Miller, disrespectfully snubbed a year ago, heads the 2012 Hall of Fame Class. This year’s class was announced Monday in New Orleans, hours before the NCAA title game between Kentucky and Kansas. Other prominent new members are Don Nelson, Jamaal Wilkes and Ralph Sampson, all with ties to the Golden State Warriors. Miller played his entire 18-year career with the Indiana Pacers, scoring 25,279 points. He somehow was overlooked last year, when the inductees included Chris Mullin – and Dennis