Hall of Fame Finally Calls for Adrian Dantley

The Basketball Hall of Fame revealed its seven newest members on Monday: Hakeem Olajuwon, Patrick Ewing and Pat Riley were all accepted in their first year of eligibility while Adrian Dantley, announcer Dick Vitale, Pistons owner Bill Davidson and women's collegiate coach Cathy Rush were finally accepted after falling short as finalists in the past.

Much will be written about the three big names to get the nod -- Olajuwon, Ewing and Riley -- and deservedly so, but I'm most happy for Dantley, who had to suffer through being a finalist in six of the past seven years before finally getting the nod. Dantley, who's currently a Nuggets assistant coach, was so used to being stuck as the bridesmaid that he almost didn't answer the phone when the Hall called on Thursday. From the Denver Post:

Dantley found out Thursday. "He's a funny cat, because he didn't want to take the phone call because he thought he was going to get rejected again," [Nuggets coach George] Karl said. "I kept saying: 'Tell him to take the phone call! It's gonna be a yes!' "

Dantley never has been shy about talking about his apprehension to answering the phone when the Hall calls. "Every time around the last week of March, I start feeling kind of funny, seeing whether they are going to say yea or nay," Dantley said in an interview with The Post in February. "It's a weird feeling when the guys say, 'Sorry you didn't make it, you're eligible for next year.' . . . The last couple of years I haven't even answered my phone."

I think part of the reason it was easy to overlook Dantley's contributions to the game is because he spent the bulk of his prime years in relative obscurity with the (pre-Stockton/Malone era) Utah Jazz. But he retired as one of the league's top 10 scorers of all-time, and he's still in the top 20. Had he played in the spotlight of a major market like New York, he'd have been a shoe-in years ago.

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

4-07-2008 @ 4:11PM

Kahuna said...

It's about time. Dantley richly deserves this.

4-07-2008 @ 4:49PM

anonymous said...

Moving "AD" was one of the bittersweet moments of the 2-year NBA Championship seasons/run for Detroit Piston fans. Well-deserved recognition!!!

4-07-2008 @ 7:05PM

tleeuw said...

is phil jackson in there yet? he's a miracle man.

4-07-2008 @ 5:00PM

Arthur Cohn said...

Dantley was a truly great player. He was a very strong offensive rebounder.He could dribble and set up his own shot inside.He derserves to be in the Hall.

Riley is another matter. Why should he be in ahead of Don Nelson? Nelson was a far better player. As a coach, It was riley's poor coaching that caused the Knicks to lose to the Bulls.Every big man of the Bulls had 5fouls, or had already fouled out, Ewing already had 33 points in the third quarter, when Riley stupidly pulled Ewing from the bucket, and had him walk around aimlessly out side hoping to set a screen for the guards.Riley could hve sent one of the forwars outside to set screens, probably more effectively. Ewing would probably scored 50 points against the decimated Bull's big men, and the Knicks would have won the game, and most likely the Championship. .

4-08-2008 @ 12:05AM

James said...

Congratulations to Adrian Dantley . He is one of my
all time favorite basketball players,he knew how to
use the backboard .Young players should take note of his game as well as his professional attitude on and off the court .

Also congratulations to Pat Riley ,Patrick Ewing
Hakeem Oulajuwon,Dick Vitale and the rest of the honorees .They all have served the game with pride.

4-07-2008 @ 8:14PM

radja9697 said...

DENNIS JOHNSON

4-07-2008 @ 6:42PM

larrywhy said...

Nellie over Riley? As a coach? No way. I love Nellie, love the Warriors, have issues with Riley, but ...... how many titles has Nelson won? And Riley. The defense rests.

Bob said...

Finaly a true gentleman and huge talent gets the recognition he deserves..congrats from Michigan!!

4-07-2008 @ 6:58PM

sailhawk05 said...

I lived next door to AD's mom in DC in '78 & '79; Adrian spent time there during the off season. Three things i remember:
- he was always polite and well-spoken.
- he'd regularly set a radio on the front porch and skip rope - hard - for 90 minutes at a time.
- he'd also show up occasionally at the local outdoor court - asphalt and chain nets - and play half-court with friends.
Adrian definitely deserves the spotlight for his accomplishments and the hard work that got him there...