Congratulations also to the family of the late Carl Braun, the 1950s Knick star whose shooting practice led to him saying, "Swish!" as the ball hit nothing but net, inspiring Knick broadcaster Marty Glickman to use it in broadcasts, and later Warner Wolf to use it on 11:00 news broadcasts. Braun's election is long overdue.
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For this list, I'm only including NBA players, coaches and executives, not guys who got in mostly on the basis of their college or pre-NBA pro tenure. I'm also relaxing the 4-season rule that I put in for baseball and pro football, because a lot of guys were with teams for less than that but were still vital contributors to an NBA title with a team.
I'm also amending my separate-cities rule to include all Nets -- "New York" (Long Island), "New Jersey" and "Brooklyn," ABA and NBA -- as the same franchise. And I'm not doing this because I still root for them. At the moment, I remain an NBA free agent, a fan without a team.
Players are listed in chronological order of their arrival with the team.
Ties broken by most players, then by fewest seasons in the league (more HOFers per year), then by most non-broadcasters.
1. Boston Celtics, 25: Bob Cousy (also a broadcaster), Chuck Cooper, Ed Macauley, Bill Sharman, Frank Ramsey, Tommy Heinsohn (elected as player & a coach, was also a broadcaster), Bill Russell (player & coach), Sam Jones, K.C. Jones (player & coach), Tom "Satch" Sanders, John Havlicek, Bailey Howell, Jo Jo White, Dave Cowens, Larry Bird, Nate "Tiny" Archibald, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish, Dennis Johnson, Dino Radja, Ray Allen, Walter Brown (founder & owner), Red Auerbach (coach & executive), Bill Fitch (coach), Johnny Most (broadcaster).
Hard to believe the Celtics don't have the most. That won't last, though: Due to having won the 2008 title, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce will probably be elected, and Rajon Rondo might be.
Don Nelson played for the Celtics, but was elected as a coach, and has never coached the Celtics, so he can't be counted here.
2. New York Knicks, 23: Carl Braun, Harry Gallatin, Dick McGuire (player, coach & executive), Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton, Richie Guerin, Tom Gola, Willis Reed, Walt "Clyde" Frazier, Bill Bradley, Dave DeBusschere, Jerry Lucas, Earl "the Pearl" Monroe, Spencer Haywood, Bernard King, Patrick Ewing, Joe Lapchick (coach), Red Holzman (coach), Pat Riley (coach), Ned Irish (owner), Marty Glickman (broadcaster), Bob Wolff (broadcaster), Marv Albert (broadcaster), John Andariese (broadcaster).
Hubie Brown coached the Knicks, but was elected as a broadcaster, and not for the Knicks. Phil Jackson played for the Knicks, but was elected as a coach, and has never coached them. His maneuvers as team president haven't yet been Hall-worthy, either. Larry Brown only coached one season, possibly the worst of his career, partly the fault of general manager Isiah Thomas. Because he never played for the Knicks, and he was not elected as an executive, you can't count Isiah as a Knick HOFer -- and why would you want to?
3. Los Angeles Lakers, 17: Elgin Baylor, Jerry West (player & executive), Gail Goodrich, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Jamaal Wilkes, Earvin "Magic" Johnson, Bob McAdoo, James Worthy, Vlade Divac, Shaquille O'Neal, Bill Sharman (coach), Pat Riley (coach), Phil Jackson (coach), Tex Winter (assistant coach), Jerry Buss (owner), Chick Hearn (broadcaster).
Kobe Bryant will join them, since his Colorado incident has been unofficially swept under the rug by the NBA establishment. Rod Hundley played for the Lakers, but was elected as a Utah Jazz broadcaster.
4. Philadelphia 76ers, 15: Hal Greer, Chet Walker, Wilt Chamberlain, Billy Cunningham (player & coach), Julius "Doctor J" Erving, Bobby Jones, Maurice Cheeks, Moses Malone, Charles Barkley, Allen Iverson, Alex Hannum (coach), Jack Ramsay (coach), Larry Brown (coach), Harvey Pollack (executive), Bill Campbell (broadcaster).
Doug Collins, who both played for the Sixers and was their head coach, has been elected as a broadcaster, but not for the Sixers, and thus can't be counted with them. Dolph Schayes was the team's 1st coach after it moved from being the Syracuse Nationals in 1963, but can't be counted as a Sixers' HOFer.
5. Detroit Pistons, 14: Bailey Howell, Dave DeBusschere, Dave Bing, Bob Lanier, Isiah Thomas, Joe Dumars, Adrian Dantley, Dennis Rodman, Grant Hill, Chuck Daly (coach), Larry Brown (coach), Fred Zollner (owner), William Davidson (owner), Bob Wolff (broadcaster). If Grant Hill is ever elected, it will be for what he did at Duke, but he can be counted here.
6. San Francisco/Golden State Warriors, 13: Guy Rodgers, Wilt Chamberlain, Al Attles (player, coach and executive), Nate Thurmond, Rick Barry, Jamaal Wilkes, Robert Parish, Chris Mullin, Mitch Richmond, Sarunas Marciulionis, Don Nelson (coach), Pete Newell (executive), Rick Welts (executive).
Since they've only moved within the San Francisco Bay Area since 1962 (San Francisco to Oakland in 1971, and will move back to San Francisco for the 2019-20 season), I'm counting them as a single team.
Bill King was the longtime radio voice of all 3 Oakland teams -- the Athletics, the Raiders and the Warriors -- but, for all the respect he earned, strangely, never received any of sport's Hall of Fame's award for broadcasters during his lifetime, and still hasn't since his death.
As for Steph Curry and Kevin Durant, they certainly look like they're headed for Hall qualification. Klay Thompson, Draymond Green and Andre Iguodala are also possibilities.
7. Chicago Bulls, 12: Chet Walker, Artis Gilmore, Jerry Sloan, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Dennis Rodman, Phil Jackson (coach), Tex Winter (coach), Jerry Reinsdorf (owner), Rod Thorn (executive), Jerry Krause (executive), Jim Durham (broadcaster).
Jerry Sloan was elected for his coaching with the Utah Jazz, not for his playing with the Bulls, although he could, conceivably, join the few people elected to the Hall as both a player and a coach. If he does, he'd be the 1st one elected as a coach first.
8. Houston Rockets, 11: Elvin Hayes, Calvin Murphy, Moses Malone, Ralph Sampson, Hakeem Olajuwon, Clyde Drexler, Charles Barkley, Yao Ming, Dikembe Mutombo, Tracy McGrady, Bill Fitch (coach). Oddly, former player and coach Rudy Tomjanovich has not yet been elected.
St. Louis Hawks, 9: Bob Pettit, Cliff Hagan, Ed Macauley, Slater Martin, Alex Hannum (player-coach), Clyde Lovellette, Lenny Wilkens, Zelmo Beaty, Richie Guerin.
Philadelphia Warriors, 9: Joe Fulks, Paul Arizin, Andy Phillip, Neil Johnston, Tom Gola, Guy Rodgers, Wilt Chamberlain, Eddie Gottlieb (founder & owner), Bill Campbell (broadcaster).
9. Milwaukee Bucks, 9: Oscar Robertson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Sidney Moncrief, Bob Lanier, Jack Sikma, Ray Allen, Don Nelson (coach), Wayne Embry (executive), Eddie Doucette (broadcaster).
10. Phoenix Suns, 9: Connie Hawkins, Paul Westphal, Charles Barkley, Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, Grant Hill, Jerry Colangelo (owner), Rick Welts (executive), Al McCoy (broadcaster).
Rochester Royals, 7: Al Cervi (player & coach), Bob Davies, Red Holzman, Arnie Risen, Bobby Wanzer, Maurice Stokes, Les Harrison (owner). Holzman was elected as a Knicks coach, but could have been elected as a player anyway, so I'm counting him here.
11. Indiana Pacers, 8: Roger Brown, Mel Daniels, George McGinnis, Reggie Miller, Chris Mullin, Bob "Slick" Leonard (coach), Jack Ramsay (coach), Larry Brown (coach). Although Larry Bird was a head coach and executive for them, that's not why he was elected, and so he can't be counted here.
12. Portland Trail Blazers, 6: Bill Walton, Clyde Drexler, Arvydas Sabonis, Scottie Pippen, Jack Ramsay (coach), Bill Schonely (broadcaster). Pippen was only a Blazer for 3 seasons, but that included a trip to the Western Conference Finals, when they were probably cheated out of the NBA Finals by the Lakers, so I'm counting him here.
Minneapolis Lakers 6: George Mikan, Jim Pollard, Vern Mikkelsen, Slater Martin, Clyde Lovellette, John Kundla (coach). Essentially, their starting 5 and their head coach for their 5 NBA Championships in 6 seasons, 1949-54. Bud Grant, the Hall of Fame coach of the Minnesota Vikings, also played for the Minneapolis edition of the Lakers, but obviously he can't be counted here.
13. Denver Nuggets, 6: Bobby Jones, Dan Issel, David Thompson, Alex English, Dikembe Mutombo, Larry Brown (coach).
Seattle SuperSonics, 5: Lenny Wilkens (player & coach), Spencer Haywood, Jack Sikma, Dennis Johnson, Gary Payton.
14. Miami Heat, 5: Alonzo Mourning, Shaquille O'Neal, Gary Payton (2 years, they wouldn't have won the 2006 title without him, so I'm relaxing the rule for him), Ray Allen (2 years, they wouldn't have won the 2013 title without him, so I'm relaxing the rule for him), Pat Riley (coach & executive). Dwyane Wade and LeBron James will be elected. Tim Hardaway and Chris Bosh also might be.
15. Atlanta Hawks, 5: Walt Bellamy, Pete Maravich, Dominique Wilkens, Dikembe Mutombo, Lenny Wilkens (coach). 'Nique and Lenny spell their names differently, and are not related. Lenny played for the Hawks, but that was in St. Louis.
Fort Wayne Pistons, 5: Bobby McDermott, Andy Phillip, Bob Houbregs, George Yardley, Fred Zollner (owner).
16. Utah Jazz, 5: Adrian Dantley, John Stockton, Karl Malone, Jerry Sloan (coach), Rod Hundley (broadcaster).
17. New York/New Jersey/Brooklyn Nets, 5: Julius Erving, Drazen Petrovic, Jason Kidd, Rod Thorn (executive), Bill Raftery (broadcaster). Eventually, Vince Carter will be added. As should Buck Williams, but he probably won't make it.
No, you can't count Rick Barry (played briefly for them in the ABA), Billy Cunningham (ditto), Lou Carnesecca (coached them to an ABA Division title between stints at St. John's), Larry Brown (coached them 2 seasons), Chuck Daly (ditto), or even, due to his later broadcast work for the Nets, Marv Albert (appropriately, on the network named YES!).
Baltimore Bullets, 4: Buddy Jeannette (player-coach), Gus Johnson, Earl Monroe, Wes Unseld. There were actually 2 separate teams with this name, 1947-54 and 1963-73. Unseld spent most of his career with the franchise in Washington, but played 5 seasons with them in Baltimore.
Cincinnati Royals, 4: Jack Twyman, Wayne Embry, Oscar Robertson, Jerry Lucas.
18. Washington Bullets/Wizards, 4: Elvin Hayes, Wes Unseld, Bernard King, Mitch Richmond. No, you can't count Michael Jordan.
19. San Antonio Spurs, 4: George Gervin, Artis Gilmore, David Robinson, Larry Brown (coach). Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and coach Gregg Popovich will join them, and Tony Parker might.
Syracuse Nationals, 4: Al Cervi (player & coach), Dolph Schayes, Earl Lloyd, Danny Biasone (owner, whose idea for the 24-second shot clock may have made the NBA's long-term survival possible).
20. Cleveland Cavaliers, 4: Wayne Embry (player & executive), Lenny Wilkens (coach), Bill Fitch (coach), Joe Tait (broadcaster). LeBron James, of course, will be added eventually.
21. Orlando Magic, 3: Shaquille O'Neal, Tracy McGrady, Grant Hill.
22. Dallas Mavericks, 3: Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Don Nelson (coach). Dirk Nowitzki will make it.
23. Sacramento Kings, 2: Nate "Tiny" Archibald, Mitch Richmond.
24. Toronto Raptors, 2: Tracy McGrady, Lenny Wilkens (coach). Vince Carter will probably be elected, and can be counted as a Raptor. No, you can't count Isiah Thomas as a Raptors executive -- and why would you want to?
Buffalo Braves, 2: Bob McAdoo, Jack Ramsay (coach).
25. Charlotte Hornets, 1: Alonzo Mourning. No, you can't count owner Michael Jordan.
New Orleans Jazz, 1: Pete Maravich. He only played half of the team's first season in Utah, yet he has his Number 7 retired by both the Jazz and the Pelicans.
San Diego Clippers, 1: Bill Walton. His tenure with his hometown team was riddled with injury, but he qualifies.
26. Los Angeles Clippers, 1: Bill Fitch (coach). He just got elected, and he was their head coach for 4 seasons, so he qualifies. No, you can't count longtime executive Elgin Baylor. Nor can you count Bill Walton, who hardly played for the franchise, and left before they were moved from San Diego to Los Angeles. If Chris Paul or Blake Griffin is elected, either can be counted with this franchise.
27. Oklahoma City Thunder, none: A bit too soon to tell, but Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook could be their 1st 2 HOFers.
28. New Orleans Pelicans, none: If Chris Paul is elected, he can be counted with this franchise, even though he only played for them as the Hornets.
Baltimore Bullets, 4: Buddy Jeannette (player-coach), Gus Johnson, Earl Monroe, Wes Unseld. There were actually 2 separate teams with this name, 1947-54 and 1963-73. Unseld spent most of his career with the franchise in Washington, but played 5 seasons with them in Baltimore.
Cincinnati Royals, 4: Jack Twyman, Wayne Embry, Oscar Robertson, Jerry Lucas.
18. Washington Bullets/Wizards, 4: Elvin Hayes, Wes Unseld, Bernard King, Mitch Richmond. No, you can't count Michael Jordan.
19. San Antonio Spurs, 4: George Gervin, Artis Gilmore, David Robinson, Larry Brown (coach). Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobili and coach Gregg Popovich will join them, and Tony Parker might.
Syracuse Nationals, 4: Al Cervi (player & coach), Dolph Schayes, Earl Lloyd, Danny Biasone (owner, whose idea for the 24-second shot clock may have made the NBA's long-term survival possible).
20. Cleveland Cavaliers, 4: Wayne Embry (player & executive), Lenny Wilkens (coach), Bill Fitch (coach), Joe Tait (broadcaster). LeBron James, of course, will be added eventually.
21. Orlando Magic, 3: Shaquille O'Neal, Tracy McGrady, Grant Hill.
22. Dallas Mavericks, 3: Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, Don Nelson (coach). Dirk Nowitzki will make it.
23. Sacramento Kings, 2: Nate "Tiny" Archibald, Mitch Richmond.
24. Toronto Raptors, 2: Tracy McGrady, Lenny Wilkens (coach). Vince Carter will probably be elected, and can be counted as a Raptor. No, you can't count Isiah Thomas as a Raptors executive -- and why would you want to?
Buffalo Braves, 2: Bob McAdoo, Jack Ramsay (coach).
25. Charlotte Hornets, 1: Alonzo Mourning. No, you can't count owner Michael Jordan.
New Orleans Jazz, 1: Pete Maravich. He only played half of the team's first season in Utah, yet he has his Number 7 retired by both the Jazz and the Pelicans.
San Diego Clippers, 1: Bill Walton. His tenure with his hometown team was riddled with injury, but he qualifies.
26. Los Angeles Clippers, 1: Bill Fitch (coach). He just got elected, and he was their head coach for 4 seasons, so he qualifies. No, you can't count longtime executive Elgin Baylor. Nor can you count Bill Walton, who hardly played for the franchise, and left before they were moved from San Diego to Los Angeles. If Chris Paul or Blake Griffin is elected, either can be counted with this franchise.
27. Oklahoma City Thunder, none: A bit too soon to tell, but Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook could be their 1st 2 HOFers.
28. New Orleans Pelicans, none: If Chris Paul is elected, he can be counted with this franchise, even though he only played for them as the Hornets.
29. Memphis Grizzlies, none: So far, the only player who's played for the Grizzlies and been elected is Allen Iverson, and he was there only briefly. No, you can't count Jerry West for his time as a Grizzlies executive. Nor can you count Hubie Brown for his time as their head coach. If Pau Gasol is elected, he can be counted, although he'll most likely be remembered mainly as a Laker.
30. Minnesota Timberwolves, none: No, you can't count Kevin McHale (coach & executive). You can, when he is elected, count Kevin Garnett. If Christian Laettner is ever elected, it will be for what he did at Duke, but he can be counted here.
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