Artis Gilmore in the HOF

[SenorSpur]

Fantastic news!

It's about damn time and long over due!

Congrats to the A-Train - and still the strongest player to ever wear an NBA uniform ~

[SenorSpur]

One of the first Spurs games I ever went to at Hemisfair somehow I had great seats right under the basket almost and it happened to be Akeem Olojuwan's first game against the Spurs. I was amazed how Artis "educated" him under the hoop. Those guys were huge, I dont think people today have any idea just how damn big Gilmore was. His shot was hitting a little short dunk under the basket and I remember him leading the league in accuracy for years (he didnt take many shots, but when he did, he made them all). He will probably go in as a Bull but Im glad for the guy, he deserved it.

Damn right!

Gilmore was a beast. He shot damn near 60% from the field for years. In fact, he is still the NBA's all-time career leader in FG% - 59.9%

Of course, he amassed this by never having ventured outside the paint, a tactic that Shaq adopted for most of his career. When you're that big and that strong, there's really no need to venture out of the paint area.

Gilmore was a nightmare for the Spurs, when he was both a Kentucky Colonel and a Chicago Bull. He was a force during his Spurs years as he helped give Abdul-Jabber and the Fakers, all they could handle.

This honor is a long time coming and I'm so very happy for him.

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Awesome...shouldn't A-Train's number be hanging in the SBC?

[ace3g]

[LakerHater]

Finally!

[polandprzem]

Awesome...shouldn't A-Train's number be hanging in the SBC?

Who knows

If it would existed though

[ChuckD]

Awesome...shouldn't A-Train's number be hanging in the SBC?

I never hear anything about him being in touch with the Spurs. He's had 4 chances to come and sit with the old timers and ride a river barge, and I don't recall him ever being there.

[pjjrfan]

Great News, I am happy for the A-Train.

[wildbill2u]

Oh wow. I wonder if there will be an issue with the Spurs retiring his number. He didn't end his career over here but did spend about 5 years over here, but longer with the Bulls at 6 years (wikipedia).

GREAT!

I think the player gets to choose his jersey for the HOF. He was one of the heroes of the ABA that made the league respectable with his skills. Artis had some good years here although he was closing out his great career.

The thing that really impressed me, however, was how well he adapted to SA and was so cordial to the fans, including the Baseline Bums. The A-Train was truly a gentle giant off the court, a gentleman, and didn't have any Superstar at ude.

(But take my word for it--DO NOT play volleyball against this guy unless you want a visit to the dentist to remove the ball.)

[CubanMustGo]

The A-Train has pulled into the HOF at last. Congratulations, Artis!

[20beastie45]

Nice!!!! Congrats!

[Spurologist]

Finally where he belongs

[FromWayDowntown]

I wonder who will present Artis in Springfield.

I also wonder if Dennis Rodman will have David Robinson as his presenter.

[baseline bum]

The thing that really impressed me, however, was how well he adapted to SA and was so cordial to the fans, including the Baseline Bums. The A-Train was truly a gentle giant off the court, a gentleman, and didn't have any Superstar at ude.

Yeah, we used to shoot the breeze with Artis before and after games sometimes. A great player and great all-around guy too. He's about as friendly a person as you'll ever meet.

[Capt Bringdown]

It's about time.

[bigfan]

It's about time.

The Whopper getting whopped by the A Train. Gotta dig his afro, Artis had the cool big hair back in the day.

[CubanMustGo]

[tlongII]

Great player and long overdue induction. Arvydas Sabonis was named to the Hall of Fame today as well.

[JR3]

Gilmore was the man. Wish he played for the Spurs more years though.

[venitian navigator]

My favourite Spurs player of all time and the reason I choose the Spurs like my favourite team.
Never understood how could they refuse to induce him in the HOF...he was one of the only players playing his position that, in his prime, was able able to carry a team on his shoulders.

[SenorSpur]

I wish he had come over in his prime. That would have been a treat for the NBA.

If the world could've seen Sarbonis in his prime, mouths and jaws would literally drop. He was a young player, with unbelievable skills and court vision.

[Capt Bringdown]

Artis still holds the NCAA Div 1 highest career rebound average of 22.7 per game.
A special player, one of the best!

[easy7]

A-train was a bad mofo... I still remember watching him play alongside of the Iceman. Great memories..

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

Umm no. Wilt was.

That's debatable. Wilt and Artis weren't nearly as thick as Shaq was. Shaq in his prime was probably the most powerful player ever. Wilt was 7'1 and about 275. Artis probably never was above 265 lbs and an inch taller. Shaq played his college ball at around 300 lbs and was around 325 during his prime pro years. He would have probably powered through Wilt like he did everyone else.

Wilt was easily the most athletic of those three, though.

[polandprzem]

Wilt could lift cars. No joke.

Proof?


There have been so many stories about those days ...
Was it about Wilt that he had broken someones foot by slamming the ball through the hoop?