Supersonicsoul - The Sonics Blog!

Seattle NBA / NHL arena Special on KING-5 tomorrow

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Merrill) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 19:22:00 +0000

It looks like KING 5 is going full-blown WEATHERBLAST 2012 with the new Seattle sports arena story, dedicating an entire hour of prime-time to a special news report:

Seattle, WA – KING 5 is producing a one-hour 10:00 PM special airing Thursday, February 23rd, titled “Seattle Arena: Billion Dollar Hat Trick.” KING 5’s Jean Enersen and Sports Director Paul Silvi will report on the plans for a world class sports arena to be built in Seattle as home for professional basketball and hockey franchises.

The three-part hat trick Jean and Paul explore:

the financing and building of a state-of-the-art sports arena to be built in Seattle’s Sodo district

what it’s going to take for this billion dollar arena to be the new home for an NBA team

what it’s going to take to bring an NHL team to the Puget Sound.

KING 5 examines details of the arena plan including the private financing proposed and its potential impact on taxpayers as well as the future of Key Arena. Jean and Paul will also report on the personalities involved, from Seattle and King County politicians to the Seattle native and self-made multi-millionaire Chris Hansen who’s behind the mega deal.

KING 5’s Chris Daniels reports from Orlando, where the NBA All-Star game is taking place this weekend. The NBA and Sacramento must make a decision soon about the future of the Sacramento Kings franchise. The special will also feature reports from Phoenix and New Orleans, two areas where sports franchises face uncertain futures.

“Seattle Arena: Billion Dollar Hat Trick” will also be simulcast on 710 ESPN Seattle radio. It replays on NWCN on Friday, February 24th at 8:30 PM.

Damn. If Jean Enersen is involved, you know Shit Just Got Real ™.

Not Being a Douche: Sonics 2.0 Fan Edition

noreply@blogger.com (chunkstyle23) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 19:37:00 +0000

I won’t speculate on what will be announced later today (or next month, or next year, or… ever) regarding a professional basketball team returning to Seattle. I can say that whatever it is will have to factor in these two certainties:

They aren’t making any new basketball teams.
Meaning if we are going to get a team here, it’s coming from another town.

Better writers than I have examined the dilemma this creates for Supes fans. On the one hand, you’re still mad that your team got took. On the other hand, you know that to have a team again, you have to take one from someone else.
If you’ll forgive another awful sports analogy, it’s like needing a heart transplant. You hope you get one, but it is beyond macabre to actively root for another person to die. But if one does become available, it’s not like you would say “No thanks, I’ll wait until science is able to clone hearts and sell them at Costco.” (note to self: a cartoon might have worked better here)
So what can we do? We are constantly assured that Seattle will get a team back, from somewhere, sometime. What we can do, when/if that day comes, is steer clear of gloating douchebag territory. Having been the recipients of scorn from Other Klassy Citizens these past 4 years, I’ve been mentally compiling a list of tips for avoiding their habits when the situations are reversed.

Don’t leave taunting comments on the aggrieved fanbase’s blogs and forums. Just… don’t be like those guys.
Don’t perpetuate the meme that it was “the fans’ fault” for not supporting the team enough. I don’t know how many times I’ve read an OKC fan parrot the “You guys didn’t support your team” excuse. WE guys absolutely did support our team. The mayor, commissioner, the coffee tycoon—THOSE are the guys that didn’t support US. The same kind of crap likely contributed to the other team’s demise.
Don’t talk about which city “deserves” a team or not. Deserve ain’t got nothing to do with it. It has everything to do with revenue streams and public subsidies.
Don’t tell grieving fans to “stop whining” or “get over it already.” You just come across as classless winners when you get the team AND act like you can lecture the old fans on how to cope with loss.
Don’t boast about how much better your city is than the old city, or how much better off the team is in your town.
Don’t say that it’s okay for us to steal because we were stolen from. It’s still not okay. At minimum, acknowledge the feelings of the other fans. There were a miniscule number of OKC fans who expressed sympathy on comments here and at other Sonics sites who redeemed their fanbase a tiny bit.

Non-douchey additions/suggestions welcome.

Seattle NBA/NHL arena press conference today at 2pm

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Merrill) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:35:00 +0000

Mayor McGinn (looking eerily like John Wayne Gacy in this photo) is reportedly going to have a press conference at 2pm today about a potential new NBA / NHL arena for Seattle. Stay tuned to Supersonicsoul for the latest news and/or handwringing about ARENA GATE 2012!

Anyone have $85 to spare?

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Merrill) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:22:00 +0000

Wow! Either an unpaid intern at the P.I. forgot to add an "M" on that headline, or new arenas are REALLY cheap in Sacramento!

UPDATE: Three hours later and it's still not fixed. I am really the only person that still reads the P.I.?

Hold tight, Sonics fans: New NBA / NHL arena could be announced Thursday

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Merrill) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 03:23:00 +0000

Supersonicsoul sources tell us there might be a big announcement on Thursday about a potential new NBA/NHL arena and maybe a little more about plans to bring an NBA and/or NHL team to Seattle:

From the Seattle P.I.:

A news conference is set for Thursday at City Hall to announce details around a potential new NBA arena deal in Seattle, according to reports.

Christopher Hansen, the Seattle-born hedge-fund manager behind the project, is currently in Seattle,King 5 reports — and may be ready to reveal more about the possibility of the NBA returning to Seattle.

Hansen owns property south of Safeco Field, and has reportedly been developing a plan with the city and the NBA for a year. If Seattle were to get the Kings, the team could play at KeyArena — the Sonics’ old home — on a temporary basis, until a new venue is finished. Before the Sonics even left for Oklahoma City, and became the Thunder, the NBA had declared KeyArena an unsuitable venue.

It’s unclear if Thursday’s news conference will answer whether Seattle will soon have a new NBA team, but Hansen and Mayor Mike McGinn have an announcement regarding a new sports complex, according to reports. The news conference is scheduled for 2 p.m.Read the rest here.

Zoinks! Stayed tuned, true believers!

Blake Griffin's Swift Dunk of Justice

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Merrill) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 21:57:00 +0000

I don't know if Blake Griffin was a Seattle Supersonics fan growing up. Maybe he had a Shawn Kemp poster over his bed or a Jack Sikma growth chart on the back of his door. Maybe he reenacted Terence Stanbury's Statue of Liberty Dunk on his nerf hoop.

I'd like to think all of these things are true, and the bone-crushing, soul-stomping dunk Griffin threw down on Kendrick Perkins of the Oklahoma Atrocities last night was a strike against injustice. A mighty blow against evil. A smack-down against all that is wrong with the NBA.

It wasn't, of course, but for an instant it was nice to imagine. If nothing else, at least I have a new team to root for.

Stern softens on Key Arena?

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Merrill) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 01:36:00 +0000

According to the Bring Back Our Sonics Facebook page, David Stern may be changing his tune (at least in the short-term) about Key Arena:

Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times was on with Ian Furness during @FurnessShow Kelley said he's heard talks that David Stern has said he's willing to let a team play in Key Arena for 2 years, if a new arena is being built for the future. - Jeff

So what does this mean for our beloved Sonics? Is Stern offering an olive branch to the heartbroken, discarded fans of Seattle or just more smoke and mirrors from The Wizard of Blahs? No one knows for certain, but longtime Sonics fans will recall that not long ago Stern was a big fan of Key Arena, so anything is possible.

Snow Day!

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Merrill) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 04:43:00 +0000

Drive safely out there, knuckleheads!

Worst Owner Ever?

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Merrill) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 17:19:00 +0000

And you thought Howard Schultz was bad!

From Deadspin:

Last month, we shared with you the bare details of Dan Borislow's brief, messy reign as owner of magicJack, the franchise that Women's Professional Soccer elected to terminate in late October after just a single season of play in Boca Raton, Fla.

Borislow was uncooperative with the league; he refused to set up a front office or a website and he alienated longtime WPS sponsors. But why would someone run a team he'd purchased into the ground? Then, this week, a tipster sent along the WPS's filing against Borislow's motion for temporary injunction (viewable below, along with the accompanying exhibits). It turns out that Dan Borislow might just be a terrible human—or maybe he just comes off that way in his emails.

In summary, this guy was allegedly such a horrible owner that not only did the league banish him, but they got rid of his entire team. Can you imagine if this happened in the NBA? Which team would you erase (I mean, besides the obvious)?

Kemp is back! (In Kent?!)

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Merrill) — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:25:00 +0000

According to the Kent Reporter (and my brother), Shawn Kemp will be making an appearance at a fund-raiser for K-M basketball this weekend. Also, SHAWN KEMP LIVES IN MAPLE VALLEY?!?

Marvena Kemp says it's doubtful her husband Shawn Kemp will play in the inaugural Hoopfest at Kent-Meridian High School.

"He might but I doubt it," Kemp said about the former NBA player who lives in Maple Valley. "He's rehabbing from flag football. But he will come out to support it."

Teams can still sign up for the Dec. 3-4 event. Games will run from about 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Proceeds will benefit the Kent-Meridian girls basketball team to help pay for uniforms , travel to tournaments and other expenses.

Read the whole story here.

The fact that Shawn Kemp now lives in the small town that all three of the Supersonicsoul writers grew up in is my nomination for Ironic Twist of The Year. If he ends up coaching at Tahoma, I might explode.

The NBA takes basketball away from Seattle AGAIN!

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Merrill) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 21:18:00 +0000

Even LeBron feels our pain.

As if taking our team away wasn't enough, the stupid NBA ended their stupid strike over the stupid weekend, thus killing the closest thing we'll have to pro basketball in Seattle for a while.

Due to a weekend agreement ending the NBA lockout, and players reporting to training camps on December 9, the Jamal Crawford H206 Classic scheduled to take place December 15 at the Alaska Airlines Arena at the University of Washington has been canceled. All tickets purchased will be refunded by noon this Thursday, December 1^st. Crawford and A PLUS Youth Program are discussing possible dates for a rescheduled summer 2012 game. Updates will be given via the H206 website (www.hoops206.com) and via Facebook and Twitter (FB: Hoops 206 Charity Basketball Classic) (@jcrossover and @hoops206).

EVERYTHING IS STUPID!!!

Your Christmas List . . .

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Merrill) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 22:53:00 +0000

. . . should include this!

Wheedle's Groove: Seattle's Finest In Funk & Soul 1965-1979 Limited Editions 45s Box Set. The pinnacle prize of vintage Seattle soul!

First 50 PRE-ORDERS AFTER NOVEMBER 25th received 2 autographed photos and a set of 16 replica Seattle SuperSonics trading cards!

For more info, go here! (Thanks to the Light In The Attic's Pat Thomas for the tip!)

O really?

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Merrill) — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 02:36:00 +0000

Not related to basketball, but there's an article on Deadspin that Supersonicsoul scribe and University of Oregon fanatic Pete Nussbaum should think about while watching his favorite team play this weekend . . .

The New York Times shared an important revelation out of Eugene, Ore. yesterday, and we wanted to pass it on because we are immature: the spade-shaped Oregon "O" that Ducks fans so enthusiastically make to show support for the team means "vagina" in American Sign Language.

Read the rest on Deadspin.

Keltner List: Jack Sikma

noreply@blogger.com (PN) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 20:06:00 +0000

In lieu of the previous story about Spencer Haywood and his Hall of Fame bona fides, here's a Keltner List for Jack Sikma.

1. Was he ever regarded as the best player in basketball? Did anybody, while he was active, ever suggest that he was the best player in basketball? Only once in his long career did Sikma get any first-place votes for MVP (4 votes in 1978-79) and that had likely as much to do with his team’s spectacular season as it did to his play, so I think it is safe to say that he was never really considered the best player in the league. Considering that in his best season statistically (1981-82) he finished ninth in the voting, it is utterly realistic to answer NO to both questions.

2. Was he the best player on his team? YES. Sikma led the Sonics in win shares seven of the nine seasons he spent there, and twice in Milwaukee.

3. Was he the best player in basketball at his position? NO. Sikma had the misfortune of being a center alongside Moses, Kareem, and Hakeem, so even in his very best season (1981-82) he was second fiddle to Malone.

4. Did he have an impact on a number of NBA Finals or Conference Finals? YES. Sikma was a crucial piece of the Sonics’ back-to-back appearances in the Finals, and their three straight appearances in the Western Conference Finals. Further, he led the bucks to within a game of defeating the mighty Celtics in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in 1986-87.

5. Was he good enough that he could play regularly after passing his prime? YES. In his final season, at age 35, Sikma started 44 games for a Milwaukee team that finished 48-34 and served as the team’s sixth man in a first-round playoff loss to Philadelphia.

6. Is he the very best (eligible) basketball player in history who is not in the Hall of Fame? NO. According to Basketball Reference, Sikma ranks 4th in Hall of Fame probability among those eligible for the Hall who have not been selected, trailing Jo-Jo White, Willie Naulls, and Chet Walker. He is essentially tied with Mitch Richmond and Bob Dandridge.

7. Are most players who have comparable statistics in the Hall of Fame? YES and NO. Wes Unseld, Bob Lanier, Pat Ewing, Robert Parish are among those with comparable statistics to Sikma, although his field goal percentage is significantly lower due to his proclivity for outside jumpers (his TS% - true shooting percentage – is more in line with the enshrinees). However, Sikma is also alongside players such as Kevin Willis and Otis Thorpe; certainly great players, but not Hall of Famers.

8. Do the player’s numbers meet Hall of Fame standards? YES. There are 16 players in NBA history with 17,000 points and 10,000 rebounds and Sikma, Willis, and Thorpe are the only eligible candidates not currently in the Hall.

9. Is there any evidence to suggest that the player was significantly better or worse than is suggested by his basic statistics? YES. As mentioned earlier, Sikma’s shooting percentage was always lower than most superstar centers, but his ability to hit 3’s, knock down free throws, and rebound like a maniac were underappreciated during his career. Want to hear something amazing? With a career 24.8 defensive rebounding percentage, Sikma ranks higher than Wes Unseld, Patrick Ewing, and Nate Thurmond, and his offensive rebounding percentage of 7.6 is almost equal to Karl Malone, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Ewing. Many basketball followers allowed themselves to be fooled by the afro and skin color, but Sikma was more than just a guy who hit outside jumpers. He twice led the league in defensive win shares and topped the NBA with a 28.0 DRB in 1981-82. Finally, since the merger, Sikma is the only center to lead the league in free throw percentage.

10. Is he the best player at his position who is eligible for the Hall of Fame? YES. I can’t think of another center more deserving than Sikma right now.

11. How many MVP-type seasons did he have? Did he ever win an MVP award? If not, how many times was he close? NONE and NO. Sikma received some consideration in 1978-79, but that was his high-water mark.

12. How many All-Star-type seasons did he have? How many All-Star games did he play in? Did most of the players who played in this many All-Star games go into the Hall of Fame? Sikma participated in seven consecutive All-Star games from 1979 to 1985. He deserved consideration for a couple seasons in Milwaukee, but none that qualified as ridiculous oversights. However, almost every player with seven All-Star appearances is in the Hall of Fame (Chet Walker and Jo-Jo White join Sikma as eligible non-enshrinees).

13. If this man were the best player on his team, would it be likely that the team could win an NBA title? YES. Sikma led the 1978-79 Sonics in win shares and they won the title. Enough said?

14. What impact did the player have on basketball history? Was he responsible for any rule changes? Did he introduce any new equipment? Did he change the game in any way? Was his college and/or international career especially noteworthy? Not much to see here. Sikma certainly got some notice for being such a productive outside shooter as a big man, paving the way for others to do the same, but it’s not as if the NBA was inundated with 6’11” 3-point shooters after he retired. His college career was spent in the anonymity of Illinois Wesleyan and he had no international experience of which I am aware. More than anything, Sikma is remembered for his distinctive hairstyles.

Verdict? Sikma clearly ranks on the fringe of NBA Hall of Famers. Had he spent his career in Boston or New York, it’s rather obvious he’d be in the Hall already as there are plenty of statistically inferior examples who don’t have to pay to get into Springfield.

However, Sikma spent his career in Seattle and Milwaukee, which is great if you’re interested in cheese, lattes, or beer, but not so great if you’re interested in grabbing national headlines. As an overlooked member of an overlooked championship team, Sikma’s achievements never registered the attention he deserved.

Enough blathering, you say: Does Jack Sikma deserve to be inducted into the Hall of Fame? My answer? Yes.

BREAKING NEWS: Players Union Rejects Deal, Season in Jeopardy

noreply@blogger.com (Paul Merrill) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 19:18:00 +0000

According to ESPN, the NBA Players Association has rejected the latest collective bargaining agreement proposal from the owners, making it even more likely there will be no NBA basketball this season. You can see the official Supersonicsoul response here.

Lockout Cards: Adam Silver

noreply@blogger.com (PN) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 17:01:00 +0000

Lockout Cards: David Stern

noreply@blogger.com (PN) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 17:15:00 +0000

Lockout Cards: Derek Fisher

noreply@blogger.com (PN) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:25:00 +0000

Lockout Cards: Billy Hunter

noreply@blogger.com (PN) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:15:00 +0000

Collect them all!

Spencer and Crew

noreply@blogger.com (PN) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 22:13:00 +0000

Pictured left to right: "Downtown" Julie Brown, Flavor Flav, Chuck D, Spencer Haywood, and Vernell DeSilva (a long-time friend of Haywood's). Photo was taken in the early 1990s (that Sox logo didn't show up in Chicago until 1991). Reproduced from Haywood's book The Rise, The Fall, The Recovery, written with Scott Ostler.

George Karl Talking Sonics

noreply@blogger.com (PN) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 16:13:00 +0000

The Denver Nuggets' website has been running a series of interviews with George Karl, each focusing on a different year of Karl's amazing coaching career.

Naturally, a large chunk of those clips are focused upon Karl's work in Seattle, and ... wait, did you think this was going to be about the Sonics/Nuggets series? Seriously, how much self-loathing do you think I have? Do you think I flail myself while looking at a poster of Dikembe Mutombo every night before bed? Still?

No, no, no. This particular video covers the Sonics' great run in the 1993 playoffs, as they knocked off Utah and Houston before falling to Phoenix (and their two "helpers") in the Western Conference Finals.

To me, the most amazing part is Karl's incredible ability to recollect facts from those games, nearly 20 years later. More than anything, it illustrates the gap between fan and participant; as fans we enjoy these games, then go about our lives afterwards, but to those involved closely, they are their lives. The fact Karl was able to recall that the Sonics scored only 30 points in the first half and followed it up with 70 in the second half of Game 5 against Utah is marvelous (you can see the box score here).

If nothing else, check out the video to see Sam Perkins hit multiple threes. It will forever remain a mystery to me how that shot never got blocked.

Halloween: Sonic Edition II

noreply@blogger.com (PN) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 23:43:00 +0000

Should have thrown this up there instead. Still funny/painful.

Halloween: Sonic Edition

noreply@blogger.com (PN) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 18:22:00 +0000

From the archives:

Hey kids, Halloween is inching closer, and if you haven’t grabbed your costume yet and you’re hoping to infuse your evening with green and gold, look no further!

Herewith our recommendations for the Top 5 Sonic Halloween Outfits:

1. The Danny Fortson
If you’re in the need of the costume that delivers the goods, go with Da Fort! With the way Da Fort grabs rebounds, you can only imagine how fast he can grab a Tootsie Roll! Comes with hair extensions, stomach pouch, and “rump filler.”

2. The Shawn Kemp
Nothing says b-a-d like a loaded pistol and a bag of mysterious substances. You can trick AND treat with this great costume! Plus, ask some neighbourhood kids to come with you and you’ve got your own “Kemp family posse!” Optional “rump filler” included with “Orlando Shawn” outfit.

3. The Michael Cage
There are good Halloween looks and then there are great Halloween looks. Your costume will come with a 26-oz. container of “Soul Glow” hair gel, shoulder enhancers, and lime green leisure suit. If that kid in front of you at Mrs. Johnson’s house thinks he’s getting those Kit-Kats, he better come correct, or not at all.

4. The George Karl
Finding that you’ve been struggling through the first half of your candy collecting evening? Then fire your underperforming costume and get The George Karl! Comes with imitation moustache scar, mock turtleneck, and 4-page booklet “Getting Candy the Karl Way.” Bob Kloppenburg puppet optional. Please note that costume will begin to fall apart in 2nd and 3rd year of use.

5. The Frank Brickowski
Sometimes, you’ve got to want the candy more than the other kids. With the “Brick” costume, you’ll be ready to roll to the corner of the door frame. Comes with “Pushing for Pop Rocks” booklet and faux flat top hair cut.

http://blog.supersonicsoul.com/2005/10/halloween.html

Schultz for President?!

noreply@blogger.com (PN) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:11:00 +0000

Doyle McManus of the LA Times reports that a group called "Americans Elect" is aiming to put a third-party presidential candidate on the ballot in all 50 states, and one of their possible candidates is long-time Sonic supporter, Howard Schultz.

To be fair, Schultz is the last of more than a handful of possibilities McManus mentions, so please don't think of this as anything more than pure speculation, but, still, it makes one wonder:

*Just how effective would a man obsessed with five-year plans do when confronted with a four-year term of office?

*Is it possible that after three years of frustration in leading the country, Schultz would sell the U.S. to a Canadian oil tycoon, who would in turn move the U.S. to Winnipeg?

*Offended at the lack of respect shown towards him, would Schultz deal Jon Stewart to Belgium for a comedian to be named later?

*Might he replace milk in school cafeterias with cappuccinos?

*Lecture everyone about how to do things the right way, all the while continuing to further erode America's economy by expanding from 50 to 137 states in 2 years, then being forced to cut back to 39 states (sorry, Dakotas) after he nearly bankrupted the nation?

I'm betting on the last one.

(via Seattle PI)

Spencer Haywood: Keltner List

noreply@blogger.com (PN) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 18:35:00 +0000

With the possible induction of Spencer Haywood in the Basketball Hall of Fame, and in deference to the wonderful Basketball-Reference and Bill James, here's a Keltner List for the former Mr. Iman.

1. Was he ever regarded as the best player in basketball? Did anybody, while he was active, ever suggest that he was the best player in basketball? It’s possible. Haywood never finished higher than fifth in MVP voting, although he did receive two first-place votes in 71-72 and four in 72-73. By the loosest definition, some people felt he was the most valuable player in the league, albeit a very small number of people, so, yes, he was considered the best player in basketball. Also of note, Haywood was the MVP of the ABA in his rookie season.

2. Was he the best player on his team? Absolutely. From his first pro season in Denver, his entire career in Seattle, and into his first campaign with the Knicks, Haywood was the best player on his team.

3. Was he the best player in basketball at his position? I think it could be safely argued that Haywood was the premier power forward in the ABA in 69-70 and in the NBA in 71-72 and 72-73. He turned over that crown to Elvin Hayes in 73-74, then, well, the rest was history.

4. Did he have an impact on a number of NBA Finals or Conference Finals? No. Haywood had a chance in 1979-80 with the Lakers, but a debilitating drug addiction proved his undoing. He did, however, lead the Denver Rockets to the ABA Finals in 69-70.

5. Was he good enough that he could play regularly after passing his prime? Yes. This is a difficult one to answer, but I think that the fact that even after destroying his career with drugs and spending a year in Italy, Haywood was able to come back to the NBA with Washington for two seasons indicates that his talent was enough to sustain him even after his prime had come and gone.

6. Is he the very best (eligible) basketball player in history who is not in the Hall of Fame? No. According to B-R, Haywood ranks 107^th in Hall of Fame probability, trailing Jamaal Wilkes, Bob Dandridge, Jack Sikma, Chet Walker, Willie Naulls, Mel Hutchins, and others.

7. Are most players who have comparable statistics in the Hall of Fame? A mixed bag. Again, turning to B-R, Haywood’s similarity score companions are not, for the most part, HOFers. Of the 10 players most similar to Haywood, only two are in the Hall. It should be noted, however, that the player who truly most resembles Haywood, Connie Hawkins, is in the HOF. However, if you look at players with 19 ppg, 9 rpg, and TS% of 52.1, you’re looking at, basically, Hall of Famers.

8. Do the player’s numbers meet Hall of Fame standards? Yes. Haywood is at the bottom of the list due to his lack of games played, but his compatriots are, generally, either in the Hall or will be. However, it’s worth noting that his HOF probability (via B-R) is 51.6%. What does that mean, you ask? Well, Vince Carter’s is more than 85%, so take that into consideration.

9. Is there any evidence to suggest that the player was significantly better or worse than is suggested by his basic statistics? No. As the premier offensive option on his team, Haywood reaped the benefits of having the ball whenever he needed it for the first half of his career. Considering that his primary skill was in scoring and grabbing rebounds, and that those two statistical categories are the most rewarded in NBA history, I think he got his due.

10. Is he the best player at his position who is eligible for the Hall of Fame? Ironically, Haywood’s chief competition is another former Sonic, Jack Sikma. It’s a classic case of peak value vs. career value. On the one hand, you’ve got a superstar who grabbed All-NBA honors for a five-year span, but who was useless for the latter half of his career. On the other, you’ve got a crucial member of numerous playoff teams who was an excellent player well into his 30s. If forced to choose, and with no outside considerations factoring in, I think the Hall would opt for Sikma first and Haywood second.

11. How many MVP-type seasons did he have? Did he ever win an MVP award? If not, how many times was he close? One MVP in the ABA, none in the NBA. He was in the top five in voting once, but never made the top five in win shares at any point in his NBA career.

12. How many All-Star-type seasons did he have? How many All-Star games did he play in? Did most of the players who played in this many All-Star games go into the Hall of Fame? Haywood played in four NBA All-Star games and one ABA All-Star game. It is relatively certain that had he spent all of 1970-71 on a basketball court rather than a federal one he would have made it to five NBA All-Star games. Even giving credit to Haywood for 1970-71, his fellow five-timers include Brad Daugherty, Marques Johnson, Wayne Embry, Rudy LaRusso, Rudy Tomjanovich, Chris Webber, and Paul Westphal. To make it more extreme, you could give Haywood credit for 1969-70, giving him six appearances, tying him with (wait for it) … Shawn Kemp! Anyways, back to the original question; Haywood played in four All-Star games, tying him with 41 other players, of whom 34 are eligible for the Hall. Of those 34, nine are in the HOF.

13. If this man were the best player on his team, would it be likely that the team could win an NBA title? Well, Haywood was the best player on his team for half a decade, and none of those teams made the Conference Finals, let alone the NBA Finals. Does that mean that if he had been drafted by, say, the Knicks rather than the Sonics in the early 1970s he would have been making annual appearances in the NBA Finals? I’d say no. Haywood’s off-court problems seemed to surface no matter where he went, and I think his best situation was as a big fish in a small pond.

14. What impact did the player have on basketball history? Was he responsible for any rule changes? Did he introduce any new equipment? Did he change the game in any way? Was his college and/or international career especially noteworthy? Well, now. He helped overturn the NBA’s rule against early-entry, so, yeah, he certainly had a major impact in that way. Further, he earned a Gold Medal for the US in the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City, and was the leader for that team as well.

Verdict? At his peak, Spencer Haywood was a first-ballot Hall of Famer. However, that peak was sadly cut short by injuries and drugs. The argument, essentially, comes down to this: Does his involvement in ending the early-entry rule push his candidacy from borderline to certainty? To many, the answer is yes, and considering how cavalierly the Hall hands out membership, I don’t think it’s ridiculous to suggest that he “deserves” enshrinement. Personally, I would vote no, simply because his on-court career was lacking, and that he – rather than outside forces – was responsible for that. But, hey, if the Hall can induct the entire roster of the 1960s Boston Celtics, then, yes, I suppose there’s room for Mr. Haywood.