[imgr]http://cache.nba.com/media/history/djohnson_350_1988.jpg[/imgr]The last two days the NBA has celebrated the Hall of Fame enshrinement of five new members. Former NBA coach and broadcaster, Hubie Brown headed the class, along with LSU head coach Sue Gunter, Connecticut coach Jim Calhoun, Syracuse's head coach Jim Boeheim and Brazilian women's star Hortencia Marcari. One of three names who were not included was Boston Celtics very own, Dennis Johnson. Along with Joe Dumars and Dominique Wilkins, DJ was a snub for this year's Hall of Fame class. Dennis Johnson won three titles in his career (one with Seattle in 1979) and two with the Celtics in 1984 and 1986. DJ was also a 5 time All-Star, when being an All-Star actually meant something in the league. He established himself as one of the best defensive guards in the league and performed well in the clutch. Who could ever forget this play made famous by Bird and DJ in the playoffs.... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">May 26, 1987 Once, it was John Havlicek who stole the ball. Today, it's Larry Bird. The Detroit Pistons are poised to take a 3-2 lead in the Eastern Conference finals in Boston Garden. With the Celtics trailing by a point, Bird's shot is blocked by rookie Dennis Rodman and the ball goes out of bounds off Boston's Jerry Sichting with five seconds left. Pistons guard Isiah Thomas, whose jumper had given Detroit a 107-106 lead with 17 seconds left, takes the ball out from the side, and lofts a pass to center Bill Laimbeer, who is alone and has his arms up near Boston's basket. Out of nowhere comes Bird, who anticipates the throw as he leaves his man. He intercepts the toss and almost instantly passes to a cutting Dennis Johnson, whose layup with a second left gives the Celtics a 108-107 victory. Bird finishes with 36 points, 12 rebounds, nine assists and, yes, one steal. The Pistons will win Game 6 at home, but the Celtics will take the series with a seventh-game victory in Boston. </div> "The best player I ever played with was Dennis Johnson." -- Larry Bird. Despite his accolades Dennis Wayne Johnson was overlooked by the selection committee. Unfairly, in my humble opinion.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Heat4Life:</div><div class="quote_post">This is a great article. Short, sweet, and to the point. I agree that DJ should've been in the HOF.</div> It was more of a personal rant, than an article, but I'm glad you enjoyed it. I question the selection committee for omitting all the players I mentioned. These were premiere players in their era of basketball and have continued to give to the sport after they retired. Joe Dumars is now a successful President of Operations for the Pistons, Dominique Wilkins is part owner of the Hawks, and Dennis Johnson had a stint coaching the LA Clippers & Celtics (as an assistant), is currently head coach for the Florida Flame of the NBDL, and was recently named to the USA Basketball team coaching staff. More of his credentials... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Playing in 1,100 regular season games and another 180 Playoff games, Johnson compiled in his 14 regular seasons 15,535 career points (14.1 ppg.), 4,249 rebounds (3.9 rpg.), 5,499 assists (5.0 apg.) and 1,477 steals (1.3 spg.). In NBA Playoff games his averages improved to 17.3 ppg., 5.6 apg., 4.3 rpg. and 1.4 spg. Johnson retired following the 1989-90 season as just the 11th player in NBA history to amass more than 15,000 points and 5,000 assists. </div>
Well, it was an interesting mention, but there is one aspect (one that answers your question) that is missed. The Hall of Fame is all about publicity these days. It very much has a 'what have you done for me lately?' feel to it. With the recent success of Calhoun, Boeheim, as well as the brief comeback of Hubie Brown, and the decidedly 'diverse' feel of the other inductees named, it was a snub that only the HOF could tolerate, nevermind allow. Although I feel that 'Nique will probably never get in, not because of his abilities mind you, Dumars is an inevitability for next year. DJ may or may not get in at some point, but it will be in a year that the Hall doesn't owe favors to foreign leagues. This move is for publicity and diplomacy only, don't hold this against any basketball minds, hold it strictly against the Hall of Fame.
