Decided to chuck some cards together to make a mailday of some old school players or coaches whose names are either in the HOF or arguably should be. The fact that lots of peeps don't even know who these guys are or what they've achieved blows me away sometimes...
Cue music....
Lou Carneseca in HOF (on card) - 24 years in charge of the St Johns Red Storm with a .725 winning record speaks for itself. Never missed the post season invitation in his tenure and churned out respectable pros such as Chris Mullin and Mark Jackson.
Doc Rivers not in HOF (on card) - While I think he's been lucky to have played on some great teams as a rather mediocre player and has had the opportunity to coach some absolutely loaded teams....chances are the Hall will call at some point in time.
Wes Unseld in HOF #8/25 - An undersized centre at 6'7' the guy battled giants on a nightly basis on his way to his famed, bull in a China shop, 14rpg career average. Not a huge scorer he was known to help on the offensive end of the court with his 'brick wall' screens and racking up 3.9apg, most notably by starting the fast break with his outlet passes. ROY and MVP (in the same year!), made the NBA Finals four times and earned a championship ring in 1978. An inspiration to undersized ballers everywhere - the guy has heart!
Sid 'The Squid' Moncrief not in HOF #42/100 - In his prime this guy could score with the best of them and put up great rebounding and assist numbers for one of the early combo guard. Standing 6'4' he might not have had the height to achieve success at SG or the quickness at PG but he had the nouse to cover both spots in earning back to back DPOY awards. Helluva nickname for a lockdown defender - the Squid (note to self, look out or an inscription). Bad knees cut his career short but was one of the best all-rounders of his time. Sadly never made it to the NBA Finals in the shadows of the Lakers and more notably the Celtics teams of the 80s. From the mouth of MJ himself "When you play against Moncrief, you're in for a night of all-around basketball. He'll hound you everywhere you go, both ends of the court. You just expect it."
Paul Westphal not in HOF #17/49 (on card) - Earned an early championship ring with the Celtics as a role player before starring with the Suns as a deadeye high scoring shooter. Also coached the famed Phoenix Suns squad featuring KJ, Sir Charles and Thunder Dan which went down to the Bulls in the 92 Finals. 5 great years as a player and 1 or 2 as a coach - HOf worthy? Perhaps....
Bob Dandridge not in HOF /199 (on card) - High scoring SF who did it with a high percentage playing alongside noted NBA stars in their latter years. Helped legends Oscar Robertson win a title with the Bucks and Wes Unseld and Elvin Hayes with the Bullets to their only NBA titles. A real glue guy he stepped up his play when it mattered most in the Playoffs and Finals. Clutch. Winner. Team Player. HOF worthy.
Mark Eaton / Darrell Griffith both not in HOF /50 - Firstly, Darrell Griffith. He had five good high scoring years and could really dunk a ball. Truth be told though those teams were very average and some of them even downright 'sucked'. Mark Eaton on the other hand helped turn things around for the Jazz and most notably teamed with Stockton and Malone to form the all-star trio that would be one of the most fundamentally squads ever take the court. NBA/ABA all time leading shot blocker - GOAT in that respect. Almost everyone can dunk in the NBA - but not on this guy! 2 time DPOY and 5 time All NBA Defensive Team selections. That's some serious lane presence. Somebody get the Hall on the line....
Elgin Baylor in HOF /75 - Scoring machine! Big bag of tricks and was known for his hang time long before there was MJ. Capable of putting up Jordanesque type scoring output he averaged 27ppg for his career and was a top shelf rebounder with a career average of 13.5rpg. Took the Lakers to 8 NBA Finals appearances but sadly never won a ring. Knee injuries ended his career 9 games into the 71-72 season in which the Lakers ironically won a title without him.
George "Iceman' Gervin in HOF #3/25 and on card - Another high flying, high scoring guard who led the league in scoring in 4 seasons. MJ before there was MJ. #12 all time scorer in NBA / ABA history but his teams we're never truly in title consideration. In 13 trips to the post season Gervin only made it to the second round twice....
Calvin Murphy in HOF on card inscription /299 - Pint sized PG who could rack up some big scoring numbers. Shortest player in the HOF! Had the pleasure of meeting this guy in person and I can honestly say he's a real down to earth (no shortness pun intended) guy who bleeds Rockets red and gold!
Darryl 'Chocolate Thunder' Dawkins not in HOF on card inscription /99 - Numbers don't lie and based on his stats Dawkins isn't even close to the HOF. Below average rebounder, decent scorer, bit of a black hole with the ball and a mediocre shotblocker. So why is he here? Well if it's all about making significant contributions to basketball Mr Chocolate Thunder broke two backboards and introduced the breakaway rim era. 99% sure that still doesn't qualify as HOF material - but had to feature this guy in a mailday somehow! Note to NBA players, sign your name along with the inscription - pretty sure you charge for the extra effort!
Jerry West in HOF /149 - Mr Logoman was actually a very high scoring PG who also contributed on the boards and in handing out assists. More all NBA and All Defensive Team selections than you could poke a stick at, this iconic (literally!) Laker only managed to win a single NBA title.
Well that's it for now folks - nothing major but hopefully the little history lesson provides a little context to those old school autos they keep chucking into new releases. They might not be the next Andrew Wiggins but at least they have their runs on the board and some even have their name in the Hall...or arguably should have their name in the hall!
Thanks for stopping by and especially those who took the time to read! Comments always appreciated too.
Cue music....
Lou Carneseca in HOF (on card) - 24 years in charge of the St Johns Red Storm with a .725 winning record speaks for itself. Never missed the post season invitation in his tenure and churned out respectable pros such as Chris Mullin and Mark Jackson.
Doc Rivers not in HOF (on card) - While I think he's been lucky to have played on some great teams as a rather mediocre player and has had the opportunity to coach some absolutely loaded teams....chances are the Hall will call at some point in time.
Wes Unseld in HOF #8/25 - An undersized centre at 6'7' the guy battled giants on a nightly basis on his way to his famed, bull in a China shop, 14rpg career average. Not a huge scorer he was known to help on the offensive end of the court with his 'brick wall' screens and racking up 3.9apg, most notably by starting the fast break with his outlet passes. ROY and MVP (in the same year!), made the NBA Finals four times and earned a championship ring in 1978. An inspiration to undersized ballers everywhere - the guy has heart!
Sid 'The Squid' Moncrief not in HOF #42/100 - In his prime this guy could score with the best of them and put up great rebounding and assist numbers for one of the early combo guard. Standing 6'4' he might not have had the height to achieve success at SG or the quickness at PG but he had the nouse to cover both spots in earning back to back DPOY awards. Helluva nickname for a lockdown defender - the Squid (note to self, look out or an inscription). Bad knees cut his career short but was one of the best all-rounders of his time. Sadly never made it to the NBA Finals in the shadows of the Lakers and more notably the Celtics teams of the 80s. From the mouth of MJ himself "When you play against Moncrief, you're in for a night of all-around basketball. He'll hound you everywhere you go, both ends of the court. You just expect it."
Paul Westphal not in HOF #17/49 (on card) - Earned an early championship ring with the Celtics as a role player before starring with the Suns as a deadeye high scoring shooter. Also coached the famed Phoenix Suns squad featuring KJ, Sir Charles and Thunder Dan which went down to the Bulls in the 92 Finals. 5 great years as a player and 1 or 2 as a coach - HOf worthy? Perhaps....
Bob Dandridge not in HOF /199 (on card) - High scoring SF who did it with a high percentage playing alongside noted NBA stars in their latter years. Helped legends Oscar Robertson win a title with the Bucks and Wes Unseld and Elvin Hayes with the Bullets to their only NBA titles. A real glue guy he stepped up his play when it mattered most in the Playoffs and Finals. Clutch. Winner. Team Player. HOF worthy.
Mark Eaton / Darrell Griffith both not in HOF /50 - Firstly, Darrell Griffith. He had five good high scoring years and could really dunk a ball. Truth be told though those teams were very average and some of them even downright 'sucked'. Mark Eaton on the other hand helped turn things around for the Jazz and most notably teamed with Stockton and Malone to form the all-star trio that would be one of the most fundamentally squads ever take the court. NBA/ABA all time leading shot blocker - GOAT in that respect. Almost everyone can dunk in the NBA - but not on this guy! 2 time DPOY and 5 time All NBA Defensive Team selections. That's some serious lane presence. Somebody get the Hall on the line....
Elgin Baylor in HOF /75 - Scoring machine! Big bag of tricks and was known for his hang time long before there was MJ. Capable of putting up Jordanesque type scoring output he averaged 27ppg for his career and was a top shelf rebounder with a career average of 13.5rpg. Took the Lakers to 8 NBA Finals appearances but sadly never won a ring. Knee injuries ended his career 9 games into the 71-72 season in which the Lakers ironically won a title without him.
George "Iceman' Gervin in HOF #3/25 and on card - Another high flying, high scoring guard who led the league in scoring in 4 seasons. MJ before there was MJ. #12 all time scorer in NBA / ABA history but his teams we're never truly in title consideration. In 13 trips to the post season Gervin only made it to the second round twice....
Calvin Murphy in HOF on card inscription /299 - Pint sized PG who could rack up some big scoring numbers. Shortest player in the HOF! Had the pleasure of meeting this guy in person and I can honestly say he's a real down to earth (no shortness pun intended) guy who bleeds Rockets red and gold!
Darryl 'Chocolate Thunder' Dawkins not in HOF on card inscription /99 - Numbers don't lie and based on his stats Dawkins isn't even close to the HOF. Below average rebounder, decent scorer, bit of a black hole with the ball and a mediocre shotblocker. So why is he here? Well if it's all about making significant contributions to basketball Mr Chocolate Thunder broke two backboards and introduced the breakaway rim era. 99% sure that still doesn't qualify as HOF material - but had to feature this guy in a mailday somehow! Note to NBA players, sign your name along with the inscription - pretty sure you charge for the extra effort!
Jerry West in HOF /149 - Mr Logoman was actually a very high scoring PG who also contributed on the boards and in handing out assists. More all NBA and All Defensive Team selections than you could poke a stick at, this iconic (literally!) Laker only managed to win a single NBA title.
Well that's it for now folks - nothing major but hopefully the little history lesson provides a little context to those old school autos they keep chucking into new releases. They might not be the next Andrew Wiggins but at least they have their runs on the board and some even have their name in the Hall...or arguably should have their name in the hall!
Thanks for stopping by and especially those who took the time to read! Comments always appreciated too.
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