Pacers Legend Mel Daniels Going to the Hall of Fame

Indiana Pacer Mel Daniels has been announced as a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame according to Josh Robbins.

Daniels was the ABA Rookie of the Year with the Minnesota Muskies before being traded to the Indiana Pacers. In 1969 and 1971 Daniels won ABA Most Valuable Player honors and led the Pacers to three ABA titles. Daniels led the ABA in rebounding average in three different seasons, and is the ABA’s all-time leader in total rebounds (9,494) and career rebounding average (15.1 rebounds per game).

After his playing career, Mel Daniels became an assistant at Indiana State where he coached Larry Bird. In 1986 Mel Daniels joined the Indiana Pacers front office, and was the Director of Player Personnel until 2009.

Good news and bad news for Pacers fans. Reggie Miller is a finalist for the Hall of Fame, meanwhile Slick Leonard (who should have went in a long time ago) got snubbed by the committee once again. How does a shoe executive get into the Hall of Fame over Slick Leonard? Ridiculous.

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"This year’s list includes four first-time finalists: five-time NBA All-Star Reggie Miller, five-time NCAA Final Four coach Rick Pitino, two-time NBA Coach of the Year Bill Fitch and two-time Olympic gold medalist Katrina McClain.  Previous finalists included again this year for consideration are Maurice Cheeks, Bernard King, Dick Motta,Don Nelson, Hank Nichols, Ralph Sampson, Jamaal Wilkes and the All American Red Heads.  The Class of 2012 will be unveiled at the NCAA Final Four in April."

 

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