Artis Gilmore Enters The Hall, Belatedly

by A.J. Coltrane

“Rodman, Mullin, Highlight Hall Class Of 2011”

I guess that’s sort of accurate, Dennis Rodman and Chris Mullin *are* going into the Basketball Hall of Fame — but really… look at the charts, starting with career totals:

That’s one way to look at it; the 7’2″ Gilmore had more points and more rebounds than Mullin and Rodman, combined.

Gilmore *did* play forever, maybe his per game stats suffered:

That one favors Gilmore too.

How about career Win Shares and Win Shares per 48 minutes?

There it is again — Gilmore had more career value than Rodman and Mullin combined *and* he contributed at a higher rate per 48 minutes.

I’m of the suspicion that the Hall wanted to admit Rodman due to his seven rebounding titles, five championships and the fact that he was Defensive Player of the Year two times. If Rodman was going in it meant that the Hall finally had to take Gilmore.

Here’s a piece on NBA.com about Gilmore. Check out the highlight reel, though it only sort of does him justice (and try to ignore the commercial at the beginning.)

The two players directly behind him in career points are Ewing and Iverson. (Gilmore is 20th all-time.) He’s also 5th all-time in career rebounds, about 4,700 (41%!) ahead of Ewing. Ewing is already in the Hall of Fame. 

Really, Gilmore should have been admitted 15 years ago.