2012 Olympics: Men's Basketball Teams

As reigning world and Olympic champions, Team USA will enter the London Olympics as major favorites. And rightfully so; with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and other NBA superstars expected to participate, Mike Krzyzewski's club will be absolutely loaded.

But Coach K's club won't be the only team in London with NBA talent. In fact, most of the twelve teams participating in the men's basketball tournament will sport a few names very familiar to American basketball fans. Here's a look at the field.

View the original article here

2012 Olympic Basketball Roster Taking Shape

USA Basketball will release its preliminary 18-man roster pool for the 2012 Olympic men's basketball tournament on January 18th, ESPN is reporting.

The latest edition of the Dream Team will be built, primarily, of players that participated in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Turkey. Blake Griffin is the only player that didn't play in either tournament that is expected to make the initial cut, while Jason Kidd, Michael Redd, Carlos Boozer and Tayshaun Prince have all reportedly been ruled out.

As much as I love Griffin's game - and who doesn't - I don't think he's a player I'd bring to London. Team USA already has an embarrassment of riches at the forward position, with LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Bosh already in the mix. And the international game often favors big men who can shoot from the outside, which isn't Griffin's strength.

Assuming Dwight Howard is on the team - and I believe he will be - Team USA might be better off with a floor-stretching forward who can also fill in at center. I think Kevin Love - who did play in Turkey in 2010 - is ideal for the job.

The list of options at guard - point guard in particular - is also outrageously deep. So deep that, in the first-draft 2012 Olympic roster I proposed just after the 2010 World Championships, I couldn't find a spot for either Derrick Rose or Russell Westbrook.

I'll revise that prediction once USA Basketball announces their top 18, but for now I'll replace Deron Williams with Rose. Westbrook gets added if Kobe Bryant opts not to play or if Stephen Curry's ankle doesn't cooperate. (Westbrook is a better all-around player than Curry, but I'd rather have Steph as a zone-breaker.)

With those changes in mind, here's my updated 2012 Olympic Men's Basketball roster:

Guards: Chris Paul, Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, Stephen Curry
Forwards: LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Andre Iguodala
Centers: Dwight Howard, Kevin Love

Who would you bring to London? Make your suggestions here.

View the original article here

Fantasy Basketball 101

Top 100 Players | Point Guards | Shooting Guards | Small Forwards | Power Forwards | Centers | Team Breakdowns

Fantasy basketball is, at a high-level, a very simple game.

1. Draft a team of NBA players
2. Watch as their statistics accumulate over time
3. The team with the best aggregated statistics wins

Of course, if you have any interest in actually winning a league, you might want to dig a little deeper.

Types of Leagues

There are as many configurations as there are leagues, but most fantasy NBA games fall into one of the following groups:

1. Draft vs. Auction: In a "draft" league, owners simply take turns selecting players. Most leagues tend to use a "snake" draft format - the player who picks first in the first round picks last in the second, etc. In an auction, each team has a budget used to acquire players, and owners fill their teams by "bidding" on individual players.
2. Rotisserie vs. Fantasy Points: In Rotisserie scoring, player stats are totaled up, then each team gets points according to its rank in a given category. For example, in an eight-team league, the team in first place in assists would get eight points, the second-place team gets seven, and the last-place team gets one. A "points" league assigns fantasy points to different statistics… a basket might be worth one point, a rebound one point, a turnover -1, etc. Rotisserie scoring is the most commonly-used format. Most fantasy NFL games use fantasy point scoring.
3. Head to Head vs. Cumulative Scoring: In a head-to-head league, you compete against a single team for a set period of time - usually a week. Head-to-head leagues typically use fantasy point scoring systems. Cumulative leagues have scoring based on stats accumulated over the entire season - the team in first place when the season ends wins. The head-to-head format is more common in fantasy football.
4. Daily vs. Weekly Transactions: This is a particularly important factor to consider in basketball, because game schedules aren't balanced… a given team might play two games one week and five the next. In a weekly transaction league, you could wind up with your five-game guy stuck on the bench while a two-game player enjoys his time off.

The typical default setting for a league hosted on one of the big providers - ESPN.com, Yahoo!, CBS or NBA.com - is a draft-style with rotisserie scoring and daily transactions.

Roster Composition

A typical NBA fantasy roster includes:

• One Point Guard
• One Shooting Guard
• One Guard (Either point or shooting guard)
• One Small Forward
• One Power Forward
• One Forward (Either small or power)
• Two Centers
• One or two Utility players, who can play any position

Most leagues also allow some number of bench players. Players on the bench don't count towards your team statistics; they're extras that can be moved into and out of your starting lineup as you like.

Trades and Waivers

Most leagues allow players to be traded between teams. Some might have a "trade approval" or "trade protest" option to prevent trades that are unbalanced or otherwise unfair.

Players that don't get drafted are considered "free agents" and can be picked up by teams during the season, usually on a first-come, first-served basis.

Fantasy Statistics

The statistical categories used in most fantasy basketball leagues are:

• Points
• Rebounds
• Assists
• Steals
• Blocks
• Three-pointers Made
• Field Goal Percentage
• Free Throw Percentage

The first six categories are "counting stats" - simply add up each player's total to get your team's score. The last two - field goal and free throw percentage are percentage stats… meaning your score is based on your team's total shooting percentage.

To figure your team's percentage in either category, divide the total number of shots made by the total number of attempts.

Some leagues substitute assist-to-turnover ratio for assists, while others add turnovers, three-point percentage or other categories to the mix.

Winning

In standard rotisserie-style leagues, the team with the most points at the end of the season is the winner.

View the original article here

Basketball Related Income (BRI)

Definition: Basketball Related Income - BRI, for short - is a term used to describe most of the revenue generated by NBA teams. BRI includes revenue generated by:

• Ticket Sales (regular season, exhibition and playoffs)
• Television Contracts (ESPN, TNT, etc.)
• Concessions
• Parking
• "Temporary" Stadium advertising

BRI also includes a portion of the revenues generated by stadium naming rights deals, luxury suites and "fixed" advertising signage.

BRI, the Salary Cap and the CBA

The BRI number is important because it is used, under the current NBA collective bargaining agreement, to set the league's annual salary cap. Under the deal set to expire on June 30, 2011, the players receive 57 percent of BRI as their salaries.

The owners object to that split, partly because BRI does is based on gross revenue. Expenses are not factored in. A team can increase attendance by spending more on marketing and promotions; the players get the benefit from the increased attendance, but don't have to share in the investment that generated that revenue.

The NBA's initial proposal for a new collective bargaining agreement reportedly included a 61-39 split of BRI in favor of the owners.

Examples:

One of the biggest issues to be settled in the NBA's next collective bargaining agreement: how will the league and players decide to split basketball related income?

View the original article here

Basketball Related Income (BRI)

Definition: Basketball Related Income - BRI, for short - is a term used to describe most of the revenue generated by NBA teams. BRI includes revenue generated by:

• Ticket Sales (regular season, exhibition and playoffs)
• Television Contracts (ESPN, TNT, etc.)
• Concessions
• Parking
• "Temporary" Stadium advertising

BRI also includes a portion of the revenues generated by stadium naming rights deals, luxury suites and "fixed" advertising signage.

BRI, the Salary Cap and the CBA

The BRI number is important because it is used, under the current NBA collective bargaining agreement, to set the league's annual salary cap. Under the deal set to expire on June 30, 2011, the players receive 57 percent of BRI as their salaries.

The owners object to that split, partly because BRI does is based on gross revenue. Expenses are not factored in. A team can increase attendance by spending more on marketing and promotions; the players get the benefit from the increased attendance, but don't have to share in the investment that generated that revenue.

The NBA's initial proposal for a new collective bargaining agreement reportedly included a 61-39 split of BRI in favor of the owners.

Examples:

One of the biggest issues to be settled in the NBA's next collective bargaining agreement: how will the league and players decide to split basketball related income?

View the original article here

How Basketball Teams Qualify for the Olympics

Sep 14 2011

In July of 2012, twelve teams will head to London to compete for Olympic gold in men's basketball. Twelve others will be going for the gold in women's hoops. But in reality, the competition started years ago; simply qualifying to compete in the Olympics is an arduous process that plays out over the course of several years.

Host Country

Generally, the first berth in the Olympic basketball tournament is reserved for the host country. In 2012, that's Great Britain. But the British aren't exactly known as a hoops power. FIBA, basketball's international governing body, asked Great Britain to make substantial improvements in its basketball programs before agreeing to give them a host nation berth in the tournament.

London was awarded the games back in 2005, but was not officially given the berth until March of 2011.

Reigning FIBA World Champions

The reigning FIBA World Champion also gets an automatic slot in the Olympic games. Team USA has that honor for the 2012 games, thanks to Kevin Durant, Derrick Rose and the other NBA stars that won gold at the 2010 FIBA World Championships in Turkey.

FIBA Regional Championships

Seven more spots in the Olympic field are distributed based on the results of tournaments held in each of FIBA's five geographic divisions:

• Two from Europe
• Two from North and South America
• One from Africa
• One from Asia
• One from "Oceania" - essentially, Australia and New Zealand

Those berths go to the champions - in Europe and the Americas' case, the champions and runners-up - of tournaments held in each region.

The Olympic Qualifying Tournament

That leaves three unfilled slots. Those are filled by the top three finishers in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, which matches up twelve of the lower-tier finishers from the FIBA regional tournaments.

The Olympic Qualifying Tournament includes the third through sixth-place finishers from Eurobasket, the third through fifth from the Americas, the second and third-place teams from Africa and Asia, and the Oceania tournament runner-up.

Criticisms of the Process

There are some pretty significant problems with the geographic divisions, due to the fact that most of the world's best basketball teams hail from Europe or the Americas. According to FIBA's 2010 rankings of men's national teams, eight of the world's top twelve squads - Spain, Greece, Lithuania, Turkey, Italy, Serbia, Russia and Germany - are European. Two more come from the Americas - the United States and Argentina - with Puerto Rico and Brazil just outside the top dozen at 15 and 16.

Australia and China are the only representatives from Oceania or Asia in the top twelve. Africa's top team, Angola, rated 13th.

Under the current format, two European squads qualify for the games based after Eurobasket, and four more get invites to the qualifying tournament. But that means the seventh-best European club doesn't even get a shot at the qualifiers.

But according to the FIBA rankings, the seventh-best team from Europe is the eleventh-best team in the world.

Meanwhile, Oceania is guaranteed a spot in the Olympics and another in the qualifying tournament, despite the fact that the entire region has only two teams of note. In 2011, the Oceania "Tournament" that determined an Olympic berth was actually a best-of-three series between Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand went 0-2 against their rivals, but will still get a chance to qualify for London ahead of a European club that ranks several spots higher on FIBA's list.

Improving the Process

Zach Lowe of Sports Illustrated published a number of suggestions to improve Olympic basketball qualifying and ensure that more of the world's top teams are seen on the biggest stage. First off, he recommends expanding the tournament field to sixteen teams, a change that FIBA has pushed for some time but Olympic organizers have rejected. He also recommends combining the Oceania and Asia regions for the purposes of Olympic qualifying.

Olympic Women's Basketball Qualifying

The qualifying process for the women's Olympic basketball tournament is very similar. Automatic berths are given to the host nation and reigning FIBA World Champion (Team USA). But only the champion of each regional FIBA tournament advances - one each from Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and Oceania. That leaves five slots to be determined by the Olympic Qualifying Tournament for Women, which will take place in London prior to the official start of the games.

The qualifying tournament includes the second through fifth-place teams from Europe, the second through fourth from the Americas, the second and third-place teams from Asia and Africa, and the Oceania runner-up.

View the original article here

College Basketball Power Rankings

Midnight Madness is still weeks away... but here's an early look at how the top teams of 2011-12 stack up in the eyes of your intrepid guide to basketball.

1. North Carolina

Getty Images / Streeter Lecka

With Harrison Barnes and John Henson opting to stay in school for one more year, the Tar Heels are absolutely stacked this season. The emergence of Kendall Marshall as a legit point guard could be the key to an NCAA title run.

2. Kentucky

Getty Images / Streeter Lecka

Another year, another ridiculously-talented recruiting class for John Calipari's wildcats. Incoming freshmen Anthony Davis and Marquis Teague could be NBA lottery picks. Plus, the wildcats return Terrence Jones from last season's Final Four squad.

3. Ohio State

Getty Images / Andy Lyons

Jared Sullinger would have been a top-five pick in this year's NBA Draft. His return gives Thad Matta's Buckeyes a dominant big man to play off a talented backcourt featuring Aaron Craft and William Buford.

4. Duke

Getty Images / Kevin C. Cox

The Dookies lose Kyrie Irving, Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith, but bring back the Plumlee brothers, Seth Curry and Andre Dawkins, and add Austin Rivers - Celtics' coach Doc Rivers' son and one of the top incoming freshmen of 2011-12.

5. Syracuse

Getty Images / Jim McIsaac

Jim Boeheim's 27-8 team returns mostly intact, with Rick Jackson the only loss. His production could be replaced by the continued development of big man Fab Melo.

6. Connecticut

Obviously, the loss of Kemba Walker is huge. But Jeremy Lamb could be Jim Calhoun's next superstar, and most of the champs' supporting cast is back to defend their title.

7. Vanderbilt

Kentucky runs the SEC with a never-ending series of one-and-dones. Vandy has taken a different route - returning every player from last year's 23-11 team - and could wind up competing with the Wildcats for the conference crown.

8. Louisville

Rick Pitino's squad out-performed expectations last season. They'll have a lot more hype this year, thanks to the incoming freshman tandem of Wayne Blackshear and Chane Behanan.

9. Memphis

Josh Pastner's squad may not reach the same heights as John Calipari's best Tiger teams, but with Adonis Thomas joining a very solid returning core, Memphis should be the class of Conference USA.

10. Florida

Guard play is key in college basketball, and Billy Donovan's club will be knee-deep in talented guards. The Gators return Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker and add Rutgers transfer Mike Rosario and freshman Brad Beal. If they can get anything out of center Patric Young, this team will be very dangerous in March.

View the original article here

College Basketball Power Rankings

11. Pittsburgh

Jamie Dixon loses Gibert Brown and Brad Wanamaker, but returns leading scorer Ashton Gibbs. Is this the year the Panthers finally break through for a deep March run?

12. Wisconsin

Badger point guard Jordan Taylor is one of Division I's most anonymous superstars. Bo Ryan needs someone to step up to replace shooter Jon Diebler.

13. UCLA

The Bruins lost Tyler Honeycutt and Malcolm Lee to the NBA Draft, but have outstanding size in the frontcourt with UNC transfers David and Travis Wear set to join Josh Smith and Reeves Nelson.

14. Baylor

Quincy Miller and Perry Jones are likely NBA lottery picks, but the Bears will go as far as JUCO point guard Pierre Jackson can take them. That may be a long way; Jackson could be a better fit for this team than shoot-first guard LaceDarius Dunn.

15. Kansas

Bill Self's squad loses the Morris brothers and Josh Selby but returns Tyshawn Taylor, Elijah Johnson and Thomas Robinson, which should be enough to compete for yet another Big 12 title.

16. Xavier

Guard Tu Holloway is one of the nation's best, and the Musketeers also return their second and third-leading scorers from last year's 24-8 club.

17. Marquette

Coach Buzz Williams returns most of last year's Sweet Sixteen squad.

18. Texas A&M

Coach Mark Turgeon departed for Maryland, but left behind a talented roster anchored by future NBA wing Khris Middleton.

19. Alabama

The Crimson Tide just missed the NCAA Tournament last season after posting a 25-12 overall record (12-4 in the SEC), but rallied to reach the NIT Final. Look for Anthony Grant's club to reach the Big Dance this year.

20. Michigan

The Wolverines would have ranked much higher if Darius Morris returned to school. Tim Hardaway Jr., will need to step up to replace him if Michigan is going to challenge Ohio State and Wisconsin for a top spot in the Big Ten.

View the original article here

College Basketball Power Rankings

21. Arizona

Derrick Williams' departure leaves a major hole in Sean Miller's rotation, but the Wildcats return most of last year's Elite Eight squad.

22. Cincinnati

The Bearcats bring back the top four scorers from a team that reached the second round of the 2011 NCAA Tournament.

23. Missouri

The Tigers have the talent to be competitive this season, but they'll have to deal with controversy, as new coach Frank Haith may have been aware of improper benefits given some of his players at his last stop - the University of Miami.

24. Butler

The losses of Shelvin Mack and Matt Howard will obviously hurt, but I'm not about to bet against the team that has reached the last two NCAA title games.

25. Gonzaga

Elias Harris and Robert Sacre make for a very imposing frontcourt... if the 'Zags can get consistent point guard play, they should do well.

View the original article here

College Basketball Power Rankings

Midnight Madness is still weeks away... but here's an early look at how the top teams of 2011-12 stack up in the eyes of your intrepid guide to basketball.

1. North Carolina

Getty Images / Streeter Lecka

With Harrison Barnes and John Henson opting to stay in school for one more year, the Tar Heels are absolutely stacked this season. The emergence of Kendall Marshall as a legit point guard could be the key to an NCAA title run.

2. Kentucky

Getty Images / Streeter Lecka

Another year, another ridiculously-talented recruiting class for John Calipari's wildcats. Incoming freshmen Anthony Davis and Marquis Teague could be NBA lottery picks. Plus, the wildcats return Terrence Jones from last season's Final Four squad.

3. Ohio State

Getty Images / Andy Lyons

Jared Sullinger would have been a top-five pick in this year's NBA Draft. His return gives Thad Matta's Buckeyes a dominant big man to play off a talented backcourt featuring Aaron Craft and William Buford.

4. Duke

Getty Images / Kevin C. Cox

The Dookies lose Kyrie Irving, Kyle Singler and Nolan Smith, but bring back the Plumlee brothers, Seth Curry and Andre Dawkins, and add Austin Rivers - Celtics' coach Doc Rivers' son and one of the top incoming freshmen of 2011-12.

5. Syracuse

Getty Images / Jim McIsaac

Jim Boeheim's 27-8 team returns mostly intact, with Rick Jackson the only loss. His production could be replaced by the continued development of big man Fab Melo.

6. Connecticut

Obviously, the loss of Kemba Walker is huge. But Jeremy Lamb could be Jim Calhoun's next superstar, and most of the champs' supporting cast is back to defend their title.

7. Vanderbilt

Kentucky runs the SEC with a never-ending series of one-and-dones. Vandy has taken a different route - returning every player from last year's 23-11 team - and could wind up competing with the Wildcats for the conference crown.

8. Louisville

Rick Pitino's squad out-performed expectations last season. They'll have a lot more hype this year, thanks to the incoming freshman tandem of Wayne Blackshear and Chane Behanan.

9. Memphis

Josh Pastner's squad may not reach the same heights as John Calipari's best Tiger teams, but with Adonis Thomas joining a very solid returning core, Memphis should be the class of Conference USA.

10. Florida

Guard play is key in college basketball, and Billy Donovan's club will be knee-deep in talented guards. The Gators return Kenny Boynton and Erving Walker and add Rutgers transfer Mike Rosario and freshman Brad Beal. If they can get anything out of center Patric Young, this team will be very dangerous in March.

View the original article here

College Basketball: 2011-12 Preseason Top 25

NBA fans continue to curse the lockout that has shuttered the pro game for 55 days and counting. But college hoops fans in Chapel Hill, Columbus and Waco think the Association's hiatus is just spiffy.

The NBA's labor battle is one reason why college superstars like UNC's Harrison Barnes, Ohio State's Jared Sullinger and Baylor's Perry Jones opted to return to school this year. And their presence on campus and in uniform is the biggest reason I'm giving North Carolina, Ohio State and Baylor prominent positions in my preseason top 25. Carolina gets the top spot, followed by Kentucky - thanks to John Calipari's latest steller recruiting class - and the Buckeyes. Duke and Syracuse round out the top five, with the reigning national champion Connecticut Huskies at six.

Baylor starts the season at number 14, but could shoot up the rankings if JUCO transfer Pierre Jackson emerges as a top point guard.

• 2011-12 Preseason Power Rankings

View the original article here

New Pro Basketball League Launches in Canada

More and more NBA players are chasing contracts overseas, and we've seen little cause for optimism that the NBA lockout will be settled any time soon. But basketball fans will be able to see pro games on this continent this fall.

It just might be a longer drive than we're used to.

The new National Basketball League of Canada will begin play this fall, with seven teams set to play a 36-game schedule.

The league will include three existing franchises:

• Halifax (Nova Scotia) Rainmen
• Quebec Kebs
• Saint John (New Brunswick) Mill Rats

New teams will be formed in:

• Oshawa, Ontario
• London, Ontario
• Moncton, New Brunswick
• Prince Edward Island

(Please, let the PEI team be called "The Mussels." I don't ask for much.)

The new league is holding a draft - if you'd like to make yourself eligible, you'll need to register for the scouting combine, being held in Toronto on August 20 and 21.

Good luck, eh?

View the original article here

2011 Basketball Hall of Fame Nominees

The Hall of Fame's classes of 2009 (Michael Jordan, David Robinson, John Stockton) and 2010 (Karl Malone, Scottie Pippen, the 1992 and 1960 Olympic teams) contained plenty of star power. But as Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com points out, this year's class has considerably less wattage. Reggie Miller probably the only layup in the group, which could create an opportunity for some others to sneak in. Here's a look at some of this year's nominees and their chances of making it all the way to Springfield.

1. Reggie Miller

One of the greatest shooters of his generation, Miller set NBA records for three-pointers made and attempted, was a five-time all-star and a gold medalist with the 1994 World Championship and 1996 Olympic teams. But he's best-known for his playoff heroics -- primarily against the New York Knicks. His performance in game one of the 1995 Eastern Conference semifinals -- scoring eight points in the final 8.9 seconds to give the Pacers a shocking win -- was recently featured in ESPN's "30 for 30" documentary series.

• Reggie Miller Career Stats

2. Chris Mullin

Mullin has been a finalist each of the last four seasons, but hasn't made the final cut. Without a Michael Jordan/David Robinson/John Stockton or Karl Malone/Scottie Pippen combo at the top of the class, this could be Mullin's best -- and last -- chance. Remember -- it's not the NBA Hall of Fame. College and international play counts too, and Mullin was truly outstanding at St. John's.

• Chris Mullin Career Stats

3. Bernard King

Looking at King's career inevitably leads to a series of "what ifs". What if he hadn't hurt his knee? What if doctors knew more about treating knee injuries during King's career? Unfortunately, we're forced to consider what King was able to accomplish despite the injuries that cost him two full seasons of his prime -- but his numbers are still pretty impressive.

• Bernard King Career Stats

?

4. Don Nelson

Interesting timing on this... Nellie recently passed Lenny Wilkens on the all-time NBA coaching wins list. He was also fired by Golden State's new ownership group, after allowing his team to become something of a disaster.

• Don Nelson Career Coaching Record

?

5. Dennis Rodman

One of best rebounders and defenders in league history, and a key part of the "Bad Boy" Pistons and Jordan's Bulls. He'll moon-walk into the Hall, right? Maybe not. "The Worm" didn't even make the first cut last year; it seems there's a decent chance that his off-court antics have already killed his chances.

• Dennis Rodman Career Stats

6. Rick Pitino

Another case of unfortunate timing... Pitino's chances would seem much greater if we hadn't seen quite so much of his personal dirty laundry over the last 18 months.

• Rick Pitino Career NCAA Coaching Record

7. Mark Jackson

Jackson didn't make the initial ballot last year -- his first of eligibility -- despite the fact that he ranks third on the all-time assists leaderboard. As a long-time Knicks and St. John's fan, it pains me to say this... but Jackson probably won't make the final cut. His lofty placement on the all-time lists is more a testament to his longevity than his greatness.

• Mark Jackson Career Stats

8. Maurice Lucas

Lucas could be a sentimental choice; Portland's "Enforcer" died recently after a long battle with cancer.

• Maurice Lucas Career Stats

9. Other nominees

From the North American committee:

• Jamaal Wilkes
• Rudy Tomjanovich
• Cotton Fitzsimmons
• Tex Winter
• Spencer Haywood
• Maurice Cheeks
• Ralph Sampson
• Bill Fitch
• Dick Bavetta
• Joe B. Hall
• Jim Valvano
• George Raveling
• Marty Blake

Veteran's Committee:

International:

• Arvydas Sabonis
• Sarunas Marciulionis

Women's:

• Tara VanDerVeer
• Teresa Edwards

View the original article here

2011 Basketball Hall of Fame Nominees

The Hall of Fame's classes of 2009 (Michael Jordan, David Robinson, John Stockton) and 2010 (Karl Malone, Scottie Pippen, the 1992 and 1960 Olympic teams) contained plenty of star power. But as Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com points out, this year's class has considerably less wattage. Reggie Miller probably the only layup in the group, which could create an opportunity for some others to sneak in. Here's a look at some of this year's nominees and their chances of making it all the way to Springfield.

1. Reggie Miller

One of the greatest shooters of his generation, Miller set NBA records for three-pointers made and attempted, was a five-time all-star and a gold medalist with the 1994 World Championship and 1996 Olympic teams. But he's best-known for his playoff heroics -- primarily against the New York Knicks. His performance in game one of the 1995 Eastern Conference semifinals -- scoring eight points in the final 8.9 seconds to give the Pacers a shocking win -- was recently featured in ESPN's "30 for 30" documentary series.

• Reggie Miller Career Stats

2. Chris Mullin

Mullin has been a finalist each of the last four seasons, but hasn't made the final cut. Without a Michael Jordan/David Robinson/John Stockton or Karl Malone/Scottie Pippen combo at the top of the class, this could be Mullin's best -- and last -- chance. Remember -- it's not the NBA Hall of Fame. College and international play counts too, and Mullin was truly outstanding at St. John's.

• Chris Mullin Career Stats

3. Bernard King

Looking at King's career inevitably leads to a series of "what ifs". What if he hadn't hurt his knee? What if doctors knew more about treating knee injuries during King's career? Unfortunately, we're forced to consider what King was able to accomplish despite the injuries that cost him two full seasons of his prime -- but his numbers are still pretty impressive.

• Bernard King Career Stats

?

4. Don Nelson

Interesting timing on this... Nellie recently passed Lenny Wilkens on the all-time NBA coaching wins list. He was also fired by Golden State's new ownership group, after allowing his team to become something of a disaster.

• Don Nelson Career Coaching Record

?

5. Dennis Rodman

One of best rebounders and defenders in league history, and a key part of the "Bad Boy" Pistons and Jordan's Bulls. He'll moon-walk into the Hall, right? Maybe not. "The Worm" didn't even make the first cut last year; it seems there's a decent chance that his off-court antics have already killed his chances.

• Dennis Rodman Career Stats

6. Rick Pitino

Another case of unfortunate timing... Pitino's chances would seem much greater if we hadn't seen quite so much of his personal dirty laundry over the last 18 months.

• Rick Pitino Career NCAA Coaching Record

7. Mark Jackson

Jackson didn't make the initial ballot last year -- his first of eligibility -- despite the fact that he ranks third on the all-time assists leaderboard. As a long-time Knicks and St. John's fan, it pains me to say this... but Jackson probably won't make the final cut. His lofty placement on the all-time lists is more a testament to his longevity than his greatness.

• Mark Jackson Career Stats

8. Maurice Lucas

Lucas could be a sentimental choice; Portland's "Enforcer" died recently after a long battle with cancer.

• Maurice Lucas Career Stats

9. Other nominees

From the North American committee:

• Jamaal Wilkes
• Rudy Tomjanovich
• Cotton Fitzsimmons
• Tex Winter
• Spencer Haywood
• Maurice Cheeks
• Ralph Sampson
• Bill Fitch
• Dick Bavetta
• Joe B. Hall
• Jim Valvano
• George Raveling
• Marty Blake

Veteran's Committee:

International:

• Arvydas Sabonis
• Sarunas Marciulionis

Women's:

• Tara VanDerVeer
• Teresa Edwards

View the original article here