Seven Indiana Pacers in the loop for 2012 Hall of Fame: NBA Update
As the nominations for the 2012 Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame began, it was reported that seven former players, general managers and coaches of Indiana Pacers were chosen as the nominees.
This long list of nominees has the likes of former NBA star “Knick Killer” Reggie Miller, Tim Hardaway and Mark Jackson.
Former American Basketball Association players were also included in this list; George McGinnis and Mel Daniels. The ex-coach category was filled by current radio play-by-play announcer Bobby “Slick” Leonard and Donnie Walsh, the
ex-president and general manager of the Pacers.
Reggie Miller was nominated because of his excellent record and 18 years long service for the Pacers, during which he worked in different capacities for the organization. During his NBA career, he was selected as an All-Star on
five occasions and made it to the All-NBA Third Team three times. Reggie was well known among the Pacers because of his excellent shooting skills especially from the field goal and three-point region.
Reggie’s team-mate Mark Jackson, who had also spent equal amount of seasons (6 seasons) with the Pacers and won the NBA Rookie of the Year award back in 1988 also made the cut. Jackson and Reggie were the part of the Pacers when
they marched into the 2000 NBA Finals.
Both are now working in different capacities. Jackson is the current head coach of the Golden State Warriors and Reggie, who had also won a gold medal in 1996 Summer Olympics, is currently working as an NBA commentator for TNT.
Former ABA players George McGinnis and Mel Daniels had also won several honours in their pro careers that made them eligible to get nominated in the 2012 Hall of Fame. McGinnis was the part of the team that won back to back ABA
championship in 1972 and 1973. A year later after winning his second championship, McGinnis won the Most Valuable Player in 1975. Daniels on the other hand won the championship on three occasions and before that he was twice selected as the MVP with the Pacers.
Prior joining the Pacers as an assistant coach in 1984, Donnie Walsh served as the coach of the numerous college teams. However, when he joined the Pacers it didn’t took him much time to make the best use of the opportunity, as
he quickly made his place in the front office of Indiana and took the role of the General Manager. Later he was promoted as the CEO and then President of the Pacers. One of the most important gambles that Daniels took in his pro career was to select Reggie
Miller from the NBA Draft over the native hero Steve Alford, which later paid great dividends.
Bobby “Slick” Leonard was not just the first overall pick of his time in the draft he had also served the Pacers as head coach after playing a long time for them as a player. The major highlights of his career are 529 victories
that he achieved as a coach, which is a franchise record. Apart from this the Pacers won three ABA championships under his tenure.
Tim Hardaway was termed as one of the best point guards of his time during his prime. Hardaway was well known for his crossover dribble, this move really got popular among the youngster of that time. Tim was selected as an All-Star
on five occasions and once made it to the All-NBA First Team in 1997. Hardaway spent just his last season with the Pacers. He remained with Miami Heat and the Warriors during his pro-career. His No. 10 jersey was retired by the Heat in 2009.
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