On Friday the finalists were announced for this years Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame inductees. Retired commissioner David Stern was given an automatic entry to the hall while retired players like Tim Hardaway and more were named as finalists.
Just a couple of weeks after he retired following 30 years as NBA Commissioner, it was announced Stern was picked by the Hall of Fame’s Contributor Direct Election Committee — he is in, he doesn’t have to go up for another vote.
While Stern is in, 10 finalists were named and still have to go through one more round of voting. Those finalists are:
• Tim Hardaway, the guy with maybe the best crossover the game, who was a five-time All-Star and a member of the Warriors legendary Run TMC teams.
• Mitch Richmond, another member of Run TMC and a six-time All-Star.
• Spencer Haywood, a legendary NBA big man and four-time All-Star.
• Kevin Johnson, the three time All-Star who also has helped keep the NBA in Sacramento as mayor.
• Alonzo Mourning, who was a seven-time All-Star and continues to work with the Miami Heat and the league.
• Nolan Richardson, the former college coach of the year who had a legendary “40 minutes of hell” program at Arkansas.
• Eddie Sutton, four time college coach of the year.
• Gary Williams, who coached two teams to NCAA titles.
