Player 2 is the original Horsetooth, Bill Walton. Bill had one above average year and two excellent years with Portland, but then he might as well have died in a plane crash. His legs gave out on him and he started hobbling all over the court, like Chris Webber, only much more crippled.
Known for his Ross-like Wafro and lumberjack beard, Bill walked into the hall of fame for two reasons, John Wooden and Red Auerbach. Playing for organizations run by one of those two already grants you fame, but playing for both, well thats just golden. Yea, I know about his college player of the year awards, but if the Hall of Fame gave you entry for extreme college excellency, then Danny Manning should be a shoo-in.
“Give me 18 months. I’ll give you a career,” said Alonzo Harris to Jake Hoyt in Training Day, but he might as well have been speaking to Bill Walton. That short time in Portland and then playing for the Celtics gave him a free pass into the Basketball Hall of Fame and also earned him a place on Adrian Dantley’s list of people to kill.
Player 3 is the A-Train, Artis Gilmore. Despite all of Artis’ achievements, you might be surprised to know that Artis is currently ineligible for the Basketball Hall of Fame. It will be 2012 before he gets another crack at earning a place in the Naismith because for three straight years Artis received no votes at all. An 11 time All Star, MVP, Playoffs MVP and ABA Champion could not get a single vote.
Through the years, Gilmore has gotten to watch fellow ABA’ers Rick Barry, Dr. J the Iceman and Connie Hawkins make their way into 1000 West Columbus Avenue, but still no love for him. Perhaps if you threw a tied-dye shirt on him, bleached his skin and had him play for two media beloved basketball teams he could squeak in…
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