Dominique Wilkins denied from the HoF.

[Dex]

Can't find a link, but they were just talking about it on TNT.

Still an atrocity, IMO. Even if the guy never did win a championship, he was a perrenial All-Star and helped to transform the league along with Bird, Jordan, etc...

Apparently playing for the Hawks looks worse on your resume than everybody realizes.

[whottt]

He'll probably make it eventually...although Artis has been waiting a loooooong time.

[Kori Ellis]

Wilkins falls short of Hall on first try

By TIM TUCKER
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 03/31/05

Dominique Wilkins was informed Thursday that he will not enter the Basketball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility, the former Hawks superstar told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"I was shocked," said Wilkins, the ninth leading scorer in NBA history. "I think everybody will be when they hear that announcement."

The announcement of this year's inductees won't come until Monday, but Wilkins said he received word from a Hall of Fame official Thursday afternoon that he came up short in the voting.

"I got a call that I wasn't going in this year but that I'm eligible again next year," Wilkins said. "I'm disappointed about it, but I'm confident that I will be going in in the very near future. My career speaks for itself."

Wilkins' career seemingly brimmed with Hall of Fame-type credentials: 26,668 total points, 24.8 points per game, nine All-Star Game selections. The Hawks had considered him all but a shoo-in.

"The news is disappointing this year," Hawks part-owner Michael Gearon Jr., a longtime fan and friend of Wilkins', said Thursday night. "Dominique is a very special person, and he was a great basketball player.

"Hopefully the Hall will recognize Dominique's enormous accomplishments next year," Gearon said, "and hopefully he'll have an opportunity then to be in the Hall with the other great players."

The Hall of Fame, located in Springfield, Mass., and officially called the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, includes not only former NBA stars, but also stars of women's and international basketball. Owners, pro and college coaches and other "contributors" also are eligible.

Wilkins was named one of this year's 16 finalists for the Hall in February. Finalists are chosen by screening committees and must get 18 of 24 votes - 75 percent - from the "honors committee" for induction.

"I have no idea" why the voters bypassed him, Wilkins said, "but over the years I've learned to be very strong and deal with things as they come. . . I just have to sit back and wait.

"Of course, I'm disappointed, definitely, not to go in on the first ballot. I have done just as much as some guys who have gone in. . . . Some of my peers have gone in, and I want to be in amongst those guys. But I've learned to stay hopeful and confident in my life.

"Hey, next year it's going to be a different ballgame," he said. "Hey, we might not be having this same conversation next year."

Wilkins, known as the "Human Highlight Film," played his college ball at the University of Georgia and his first 11-plus NBA seasons for the Hawks. He is the franchise's all-time leading scorer.

Traded by the Hawks in February 1994 in one of the most controversial deals in Atlanta sports history, Wilkins ended his NBA playing career in 1999.

Now a Hawks vice president, Wilkins had made preliminary plans to travel this weekend to college basketball's Final Four in St. Louis, where this year's Hall of Fame inductees will be named on Monday.

"I'll be staying home now," Wilkins said.

[Rummpd]

Inane, this was a great, great player in his prime. Many of today supposed stars could not hold a handle to DW.

[Slo spurs fan]

Is this joke? (April, 1st)

[Solid D]

No, it's not an April Fool's joke. Hopefully, Dominique will be humble and careful with his remarks in dissapointment. It is very odd that he would not go in 1st ballot, though.

[alamo50]

He needs to stop whining.
It's an honor to be in the HOF.
Not a common thing.

Wait your turn Nique!
You weren't even voted as one of 50 best so you already knew how you were thought about.

[Gerryatrics]

If it's true, that's harsh. I don't think any of the other finalists are more deserving then the Human Highlight Film. Even without the rings, you just have to look at how much of an impact he has had on the game. I'm sure he'll get in next year if he doesn't make it this year, but that still seems like a bit of a slap to the face for such an important player.

[2pac]

Apparently he was denied for his role in tanking the 97 season to get Duncan.

[T Park]

Supposed to be a joke?^^


How many years do you have to wait after retirement, 5 years?

Id like to know as well, how come Artis Gilmore is not in the hall of fame.

[duncan2k5]

Don't thrash me on this one, im just the messenger, but while i was watching TNT, one of my friends from australia who plays college ball in my college said that when he was home there was this guy who played with them for a while. trying out for their team or something like that. the guy told him that when he was there he realized that many people on the team didn't teally respect him that much. then after a while he realized because he was gay (or had sex with guys or whatever). the guy who told me so was serious, he isnt the type to fabricate stories. i dont know whether its true or not but thats what was being said. dont bash me, remember im just the messenger.

[T Park]

dominique is gay??

Hmmm, I would have figured Kevin Willis to be gay before Dominique.

[alamo50]

How many years do you have to wait after retirement, 5 years?

That is correct.

[ShoogarBear]

Pretty funny, because one of my ex-roommates went to undergrad in Atlanta and hated 'Nique. I found out later from one of his boys it was supposedly because 'Nique stole a woman from him.

[duncan2k5]

hmmm...

[SenorSpur]

To coin the words of one Charles Barkley on this topic "Dominique not getting in on this first ballot is a disgrace". I agree with him.

This guy was a 9-time NBA all-star and a 24.8 PPG scorer, who single-handedly restored a franchise to respectability and perennial playoff contention.

I don't know what those @ssholes on the voting committee were thinking when they passed him by. Who gives a shit about Jim Boeheim and Jim Calhoun?

Hopefully he'll get in next year.

Big props to Mo Cheeks and Adrian Dantley, who are both on the ballot and deserve their share of consideration also.