Artis Gilmore is a Hall of Famer, So Why Isn't He In?

Artis Gilmore should be a representative for the NBA in the Basketball Hall of Fame, yet he has not been enshrined. The funny thing the NBA has had Bill Walton as a member of the NBA's 50th Anniversary All-Time team and in 1993 was also inducted into the Basketall Hall of Fame.

You have to ask yourself how in the world is Bill Walton in the Hall of Fame and Artis Gilmore is not? Walton's numbers aren't even comparable to Gilmore's and even Gilmore was overlooked by the NBA when they had the 50th Anniversary All-Time team and Walton made it ahead of Gilmore again.

In 2012 Gilmore has the ability to be voted onto the ballot for induction to the Basketball's Hall of Fame and hopefully the right decision is finally made in 2012 when Gilmore becomes eligible again.

Gilmore started his career in the ABA where he averaged 22.3 points per game, 17.1 rebounds, three assists, .7 steals, and 3.4 blocks. On top of that he was extremely effective around the basket. He shot 55.7 percent for his ABA career and 66.8 percent from the free throw line.

When the ABA disbanded Gilmore was drafted by the Chicago Bulls in the seventh round and was the 117thoverall pick in the draft. Gilmore also had stints with the San Antonio Spurs, went back to Chicago for half a season and went to Boston for the remainder of that season.

For his NBA career he averaged 17.1 points per game, 10.1 rebounds, two assists, .5 steals, and 1.9 blocks. From the floor Gilmore shot 59.9 percent and 71.3 percent from the free throw line.

When Gilmore's stats are combined with both NBA and ABA stats his numbers look like this 18.8 points per game, 12.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, .6 steals, and 2.4 blocks. Shooting percentage wise he was at 58.2 percent and from the free throw line 69.8 percent.

As we have taken a look at his averages let's take a look at his career totals which are 24,941 points, 16,330 rebounds, 3,050 assists, 648 steals, and 3,178 blocks.

Looking at the Recognitions for Gilmore are these:

Five-Time ABA All-Star

Six-Time NBA All-Star

ABA MVP and Rookie of the Year for the 1971-1972 Season

All-Star MVP in 1973-1974 for ABA

ABA Playoffs MVP 1974-1975

ABA All-Rookie Team

Five-Time ABA First-Team Selection

Four-Time ABA All-Defense

One-Time NBA Second Team All-Defense

10th All-Time in Games Played

Eighth All-Time in Minutes Played

19th All-Time in Field Goals Made

No. 1 All-Time in Field Goal Percentage in both ABA and NBA

15th All-Time in Free Throws Made

Eighth All-Time in Free Throws Attempted

Second All-Time in Offensive Rebounds

Fifth All-Time in Total Rebounds

Fourth All-Time in Blocked Shots

19th All-Time in Points

15th All-Time in Rebounds Per Game

14th All-Time in Blocks Per Game

Gilmore's resume speaks for itself. What's hard to believe with those numbers there is that a guy like Walton can be in the Hall of Fame based on what could have been, when Gilmore has put up incredible numbers, but hasn't even been considered, it's just mind boggling.

In 2012 let's that the NBA finally makes the right decision and inducts Gilmore to the Hall of Fame where he should have been a long time ago.