NBA '17

[cheebs09]

Sam Smith became the Chicago Bulls full time writer in 1987, wrote the Jordan Rules and the Second Coming.  I'm hard pressed to name many people more of an expert on the Bulls, especially of the 90's and beyond that Smith.  Lifetime Achievement award by the Pro Basketball Writers Association, not some guy writing for Bleacher Report.

Makes you wonder why Mr. Smith would risk his reputation to vouch for someone that isn't close.



10 BULLS WITH A HALL OF FAME CASE
ON NAISMITH BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME INDUCTION WEEKEND, SAM SMITH LOOKS AT 10 BULLS WHO HAVE AN ARGUMENT FOR FUTURE ENSHRINEMENT

By Sam Smith

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. Friday night conducts its enshrinement for its Class of 2015. It is led by four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year Dikembe Mutombo. Kentucky coach John Calipari also will be honored. The others are NBA official Dick Bavetta, NBA players JoJo White and Spencer Haywood, the latter who also played in the ABA. Louis Dampier will be enshrined from the ABA. Others will include Tom Heinsohn as a coach, the fourth to be enshrined as player and coach, Lisa Leslie from the WNBA, international coach Lindsay Gaze, the late veteran from the Rens John Isaacs and former coach George Raveling.

So who’s next?

The next few years with veteran NBA stars coming close to retirement should produce highlight Hall of Fame classes. Among those certain to be inducted are Allen Iverson, Jason Kidd, Shaquille O’Neal, Steve Nash and Ray Allen with the likes to Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Paul Pierce and Dirk Nowitzki soon to follow. Then there are others for whom one can make a case, like DePaul’s Mark Aguirre, a former college player of the year who won two championships with the Detroit Pistons and had a career scoring average of 20 points per game, once averaging as much as 29.5 in an NBA season. And there will be cases made for players like Vince Carter, who has scored well over 20,000 points. And though they don’t sound like Hall of Famers, what of players like Tom Chambers, who scored more than 20,000 points?

It’s always a personal and engaging debate.

But what of players, coaches and executives from the Bulls? Who should be among those considered for the Hall of Fame? Here’s a look at some worthy candidates:


JOHNNY KERR
The epochal Bulls broadcaster and first ever head coach is a long overlooked and deserving enshrinee for the breath of his basketball career. In many respects, Kerr represents the diversification and collection of excellence that defines Hall of Fame contributor status. Because the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is not the NBA Hall of Fame. It celebrates all basketball everywhere. Kerr’s array of achievements should be a model for the contributor category, which is one of three main categories along with player and coach. Kerr has received the Bunn award, which Rod Thorn received at the Thursday night dinner. It represents the Hall’s highest achievement short of enshrinement. Consider Kerr’s career: He led Tilden High School to a city championship and the U. of Illinois to the Final Four. As an NBA rookie starter with the Syracuse Nationals, he became an NBA champion. He was a three-time All-Star center despite playing most of his career in the same conference with Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain. He became the NBA’s original iron man with a consecutive games streak of 844 straight games, which was every game of his career until into his final NBA season. And even then he sat when his coach, Paul Seymour, decided the streak had become a distraction and benched him for one game. As coach of the Bulls first team in 1966-67, he led the only expansion team ever to the playoffs and was named coach of the year. After four seasons coaching, two with the expansion Phoenix Suns, he went to the ABA and the Virginia Squires, where as business manager he was the first to sign George Gervin and Julius Erving. He went on to become one of the NBA’s iconic broadcasters through six Bulls championships and one of the greatest NBA ambassadors. He died Feb. 26, 2009, just hours after the death of fellow Bulls legend Norm Van Lier.


TONI KUKOC
Kukoc is known to Bulls fans as the Sixth Man winner in 1996 with the 72-win greatest team ever and a sixth man and starter for the three-time Bulls champions from 1996-1998. But worldwide in basketball, Kukoc is regarded as one of the greatest ever and one of the pioneers that led to the globalization of the NBA. His Split team won the Euroleague three times and he was named MVP twice. Then he went to play in Italy and his team won the championship and he again was Euroleague MVP. He won multiple Euroleague player of the year awards and is regarded as the most accomplished Euroleague player ever. His teams won the FIBA junior world title, a World Championship and two Olympic silver medals. Kukoc was a clutch shot maker for those Bulls teams, generally the choice for coach Phil Jackson to take the big shot other than Michael Jordan. He played 13 seasons in the NBA and averaged 12.1 points despite being primarily a sixth man. Kukoc recently was hired as special advisor to the Bulls team president.


BOB LOVE
If overcoming adversity in life also was a consideration, Love would be a strong candidate. He turned a severe stuttering issue that even kept him from getting regular meaningful employment after his basketball career into a position with the Bulls as a motivational speaker. Love was a three-time NBA All-Star and one of the top two-way players in the game in his era as a two-time all-defensive team player. Love excelled in a magical seven-year run with the Bulls in which he averaged at least 21 points per game for six consecutive seasons and more than 25 per game in consecutive seasons when the Bulls early 1970s teams were among the best in the NBA. Love missed just four games over a five-year stretch. Among players with more than three seasons with the Bulls, he is the second highest scorer to Michael Jordan at 21.3 per game. Love played 10 seasons in the NBA with a 17.6 average.


DERRICK ROSE
Well, there’s not a lot of MVPs not in the Hall of Fame. Actually, none who are eligible. And there are going to be a lot of former MVPs getting in, like Shaq, Iverson, Duncan, Garnett, Nash, Kobe, LeBron, Dirk and probably Durant and Stephen Curry. Rose was clearly on the way to Springfield the way he started his NBA career with not only the MVP, but All-Star starts and playoff scoring records as a rookie. We obviously know about his succession of knee injuries, but he appears healthy again. And even if he doesn’t play like he did his first few years in the NBA, he can return to All-Star level as Hall of Famer Bernard King did and have a productive next five or six years, which would certainly land him in the Hall of Fame.


JERRY REINSDORF
The Bulls managing partner is the senior owner in the NBA and the only owner with a dynasty team (six or more titles) not in the Hall of Fame. The most recent team owner to be inducted was the Pistons’ Bill Davidson, whose teams won two titles. Reinsdorf also presided over one of the first major privately financed new arenas in the NBA as well as his teams starting the coaching careers of Hall of Famer Phil Jackson as well as top coaches like Doug Collins and Tom Thibodeau.


JERRY KRAUSE
The former Bulls general manager hired by Reinsdorf put together the six championship teams of the 1990s after the drafting of Michael Jordan. Krause drafted the core players Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant in the 1987 draft and then traded for Bill Cartwright with his previous draft pick, Charles Oakley. Krause also made the moves to put the second threepeat in place with the trades for Luc Longley and Dennis Rodman, drafting of Kukoc in the second round with a future pick and signing of veteran free agents like Steve Kerr.


ROD THORN
The Bulls general manager who drafted Michael Jordan received the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement award from the Hall of Fame at a dinner Thursday. Thorn deserves Hall of Fame enshrinement for perhaps the most varied career in NBA history as a player for eight years, coach in the NBA and ABA, general manager or team president with the Bulls, Nets and 76ers and league basketball operations director for more than 15 years in two tenures.


JERRY SLOAN
He is in the Hall of Fame as a coach for his career primarily with the Utah Jazz. But as a player for the expansion Bulls and the subsequent decade, Sloan became the face of the Bulls franchise with his relentless physical play. He was a six-time all-defensive team player and two-time All-Star while leading the Bulls’ early 70’s surge to become one of the league’s top teams. He still ranks third in franchise history in games and seasons played and minutes and is the runaway franchise leader in games fouling out. He averaged in double figures every season with the Bulls until being forced to retire with injuries.


DOUG COLLINS
The former Bulls coach has the credentials to be in the Hall of Fame as a contributor. Collins won almost 500 games as an NBA coach with four teams, all of which improved dramatically after he took over. Collins was a four-time All-Star player with the Philadelphia 76ers before injuries cut short his playing career. He was an Olympian in 1972 when his free throws should have won the famously disputed game. He then was a No. 1 overall pick in the NBA draft. Collins also has been a longtime TV broadcaster for the NBA and worldwide ambassador doing clinics.


JOHNNY BACH
The architect of the Bulls Doberman Defense that helped the Bulls win three titles between 1991 and 1993. Bach has one of the deepest and most varied careers in basketball. He played for the Boston Celtics in 1948 and was a player in the Eastern League when it was essentially a second pro league as the NBA had just 10 teams. He became one of the youngest collegiate head coaches when he took over Fordham at age 28 after decorated combat in the South Pacific in World War II. He won almost 400 games with Fordham and Penn State before becoming head coach of the Golden State Warriors while also an assistant with the U.S. Olympic team. He was an assistant with the Bulls, Hornets, Pistons and Wizards.



https://www.nba.com/bulls/news/samsmith/9-bulls-hall-fame-case

I don’t know that I’d be citing a list that is promoting Derrick Rose for the Hall of Fame. He had to find 10 guys somehow for this article.

[Lennys Tap]

I don’t know that I’d be citing a list that is promoting Derrick Rose for the Hall of Fame. He had to find 10 guys somehow for this article.

+1000

[lawdog77]

Nice play JR..I also apologize if I.have.ever.said.LBJ gets all the calls

[WarriorDad]

JR Smith is not a smart basketball player, exemplified multiple times tonight.  WOW.

[WarriorDad]

I don’t know that I’d be citing a list that is promoting Derrick Rose for the Hall of Fame. He had to find 10 guys somehow for this article.

According to the other guy's site, Rose has an 11% to be in the Hall of Fame.  #30 of active players.  https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/hof_prob.html

Maybe that website that is being touted as a predictor isn't so great.

[wadesworld]

According to the other guy's site, Rose has an 11% to be in the Hall of Fame.  #30 of active players.  https://www.basketball-reference.com/leaders/hof_prob.html

Maybe that website that is being touted as a predictor isn't so great.

An 11% chance as a 30+ year old player with multiple bad knees who has literally gone MIA multiple times isn’t the same as a 37% chance for a 26 year old current top 15 player in the NBA. Fair comparison though.

[wadesworld]

Changing my pick to Warriors sweep.

Also would love to see the best bad beat ever if the Warriors can win this by 14+. That’d be hysterical.

[forgetful]

JR Smith is not a smart basketball player, exemplified multiple times tonight.  WOW.

As bad as that was by JR, the coach needs to make sure that every player knows what to do in case of a make or miss there. 

Kerr made sure his team did.  Lue did not.  That is 50% on the coach.

[WarriorDad]

As bad as that was by JR, the coach needs to make sure that every player knows what to do in case of a make or miss there. 

Kerr made sure his team did.  Lue did not.  That is 50% on the coach.

How do we know he didn't and JR just blew it?  Wasn't it JR at the end of the first half that went for the steal and let Curry get an open 3?  Cavs should have won tonight.  Cannot give up those opportunities.

[forgetful]

Tristan Thompson should be ejected for the next game too. 

Already ejected, then shoves Green, could argue he threw a punch. 

All because instead of James getting a T for trash talking, they give Thompson an ejection instead.

[GGGG]

Tristan Thompson should be ejected for the next game too. 

Already ejected, then shoves Green, could argue he threw a punch. 

All because instead of James getting a T for trash talking, they give Thompson an ejection instead.

James, Curry, etc. we’re just talking. No biggie.

That wasn’t a flagrant foul by Thompson. But he should have got a technical.

[forgetful]

James, Curry, etc. we’re just talking. No biggie.

That wasn’t a flagrant foul by Thompson. But he should have got a technical.

I agree, but think the flagrant on Thompson was called to quiet the trash talking.  If they are going to call something there, it should have been against Lebron (better no call). 

The refs should have just let it end, but they didn't. 

But Thompson should be ejected from the next game for what happened after the ejection.  The initial flagrant was a bad call, but what happened afterward is not acceptable. 

[GGGG]

I agree, but think the flagrant on Thompson was called to quiet the trash talking.  If they are going to call something there, it should have been against Lebron (better no call). 

But Thompson should be ejected from the next game for what happened after the ejection.  The initial flagrant was a bad call, but what happened afterward is not acceptable. 

LeBron didn’t do anything tech worthy and they’re not going to suspend Thompson for another game. (And Curry was talking just as much anyway.) That wouldn’t even draw a regular season suspension.

[forgetful]

LeBron didn’t do anything tech worthy and they’re not going to suspend Thompson for another game. (And Curry was talking just as much anyway.) That wouldn’t even draw a regular season suspension.

You'd know better than me, as you follow the NBA closer.

Don't like what Thompson did at all. 
 

[forgetful]

Another point on the screw up by JR at the end of regulation.  Media is already wanting to fault him for the loss, because of that mistake.

There would have been zero opportunity for that mistake to occur if it wasn't for the fact that JR outworked Durant to get the rebound in the first place. 

He doesn't fight for the rebound, and there is no discussion about the mistake. 

Him getting the rebound, despite the error afterward, at least guaranteed them overtime.  He doesn't get the rebound the Warriors call time out and possibly win in regulation.

Dumb, yes, but the focus on it being what lost the Cavs the game (Stephen A. Smith) is a bit ridiculous. 

[Jockey]

It was a monumental Chris Weber-ish mistake.

[GGGG]

Another point on the screw up by JR at the end of regulation.  Media is already wanting to fault him for the loss, because of that mistake.

There would have been zero opportunity for that mistake to occur if it wasn't for the fact that JR outworked Durant to get the rebound in the first place. 

He doesn't fight for the rebound, and there is no discussion about the mistake. 

Him getting the rebound, despite the error afterward, at least guaranteed them overtime.  He doesn't get the rebound the Warriors call time out and possibly win in regulation.

Dumb, yes, but the focus on it being what lost the Cavs the game (Stephen A. Smith) is a bit ridiculous. 

Yep.  Also assumes that someone would have made a basket.

[jesmu84]

Everyone attacking JR for a world-class mistake.

No one mentioning George Hill missing the free throw

[MerrittsMustache]

Everyone attacking JR for a world-class mistake.

No one mentioning George Hill missing the free throw

This is exactly what I've been thinking. Hill has been let off the hook completely.

[MerrittsMustache]

You'd know better than me, as you follow the NBA closer.

Don't like what Thompson did at all.

Did you like Green waving good-bye to him then clapping and jawing at Thompson...before "being held back" once Thompson responded? Green is a good player but he's a clown.

[Its DJOver]

The last 5 seconds of OT were reffed terribly.  You know it's gonna take a lot to actually get suspended a game at this point so just let the players talk and the clock run down.  Understand why Livingston shot, understand why Thompson contested, but there was no need to blow the whistle at all at that point.

The one real gripe I had with the officiating was the reversal of the block/change call in regulation.  It's the hardest call to make in basketball, and you should be able to review to see if the defender is in the restricted area, but reversing the foul call should not be an option unless the call on the court was made with the wrong info regarding the restricted area.  Using replay to call fouls is a slippery slope IMO.  Lebron was clearly outside of the restricted area, so I don't even know why they were reviewing it at all.

[Juan Anderson's Mixtape]

This is exactly what I've been thinking. Hill has been let off the hook completely.

Missed free throws happen.  The attempt is free, the make isn't.

I actually think the refs are the ones being left off the hook.  Changing a 50/50 call from a charge to a block had a huge impact on the game.

They also got two other key calls wrong.  One play, Lebron got hit on the arm, no call, Warriors steal.  On another play, Hill stripped Durant cleanly but they called a shooting foul.  I understand refs get calls wrong but the Cavs really got the short end of the stick in crunch time.

[WarriorDad]

Missed free throws happen.  The attempt is free, the make isn't.

I actually think the refs are the ones being left off the hook.  Changing a 50/50 call from a charge to a block had a huge impact on the game.

They also got two other key calls wrong.  One play, Lebron got hit on the arm, no call, Warriors steal.  On another play, Hill stripped Durant cleanly but they called a shooting foul.  I understand refs get calls wrong but the Cavs really got the short end of the stick in crunch time.

The refs were not good throughout.  That 50-50 call reversal was NBA RIGGED CONSPIRACY THEORISTS DREAM exhibit.  Even in the OT, you do not throw a guy out for trying to block a shot.

[MUfan12]

Ken Mauer is an awful referee. Tony Brothers isn't far behind. The way Brothers handled Tristan's "flagrant" was a total joke.

I don't have a problem with them changing the charge/block call. They got it right on review. I have a problem with them initiating the review on a play where LeBron was two feet outside the restricted area.

Also, nobody let college hoops know about that rule. We'll be in for 3.5 hour games.

[forgetful]

Missed free throws happen.  The attempt is free, the make isn't.

I actually think the refs are the ones being left off the hook.  Changing a 50/50 call from a charge to a block had a huge impact on the game.

They also got two other key calls wrong.  One play, Lebron got hit on the arm, no call, Warriors steal.  On another play, Hill stripped Durant cleanly but they called a shooting foul.  I understand refs get calls wrong but the Cavs really got the short end of the stick in crunch time.

I'm guessing you want the Cavs to win.  There were a lot more key calls wrong than that (or which could have been called wrong). 

Yes, Lebron did get hit on the hand there, but that is rarely called in the NBA, as the defender also hit the ball clearly. 

If the strip on Lebron is a foul, than the strip on Durant is certainly a foul.  He was hacked across both arms.  There was another play just like this not too long earlier that was called a clean strip that gave a steal to the Cavs that was a clear foul.

Lebron's 3-pt play, was not a foul.  He shouldn't have been shooting an and 1. 

The 50/50 call was not a 50/50 call.  It was a clear blocking foul.  The ref clearly wasn't sure which way to call it, he hesitated for a good 5 seconds, trying to consult with the other official.  Apparently the other official wasn't sure either.  That is why they allow replay.  They made a call, because it didn't matter what they choose they could over-rule it on replay. 

The Lebron drive to close it to a 4 point game was an obvious travel.  Took 3 full steps before jumping after picking up his dribble.

There are a number of other calls that are similar.  Overall, officiating benefitted the Cavs (game long) more than the warriors. 

I agree though, the refs were not good in this game.