Adrian Dantley was one of the most prolific basketball players of all time.
Scoring 23,177 career points, he ranks 16th on the NBA all-time scoring
ist  -- ahead of such greats as Larry Bird, Dr. J, Magic Johnson and Elgin
Baylor.  At 6-foot-5-inches, Dantley was a fierce competitor who dominated
the game  -- and much larger players -- with his quick first-step and array
of post-up moves that earned him accolades including "one of the greatest
post-up players of all-time," by NBA legend Wilt Chamberlain and "a ballet
dancer in basketball sneakers" by Utah Jazz play-by-play announcer Hot Rod
Huntley.

Why isn't Dantley in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame?  Considering he
is the only eligible player among the top 24 scorers in NBA history not
inducted, it raises a number of questions.

Statistically, there's no question Dantley belongs.  In addition to his
23,177 points, Dantley was a six-time All-Star and was voted to the starting
team five of those six years.  During his 15-year career, he won two NBA
scoring championships (1981, 1984), averaged 30 points per game (ppg) or
better four times, was named NBA Comeback Player of the Year (1984), was
named to the All-NBA Team twice and was Rookie of the Year in 1977.  In
addition, he was a two time collegiate First Team All-American and led the
USA to the Gold Medal in the 1976 Olympic Games scoring a game-high 32
points in the championship game against Yugoslavia.

In the community, Dantley's contributions are also very impressive.  Unlike
many of today's superstars who call a press conference anytime they do
anything remotely philanthropic, A.D.'s motives were genuine and void of
self promotion.  Dantley had a special love for children and was active with
a number of local children's causes and conducted annual summer basketball
camps in Salt Lake City and Washington DC.

So what does it take to get into the Hall of Fame?  No one knows exactly.
That's because the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is shrouded in secrecy.
The organization not only keeps the names of its voting members from the
public, it also does not reveal voting totals or the reasons why worthy
nominees are excluded.

Some have speculated that character issues kept Dantley from being inducted
in 1998 (the first and only year he appeared on the ballot).  These have
been refuted by Dantley's former teammates and even a former coach (Tom
Nissalke, who called Dantley "one of the easiest guys I ever coached.")
Even one of Dantley's biggest foes, Frank Layden, has made amends with the
former superstar and has encouraged the Utah Jazz to retire his number.

Even if there were some minor character issues, should this disqualify
Dantley from the Hall of Fame?  After all, Indiana Coach Bobby Knight has
been inducted and probably did more than anyone else to embarrass the game.

Dantley was a model citizen.  He was never in trouble with the law, he didn't choke his coach and he condemned drugs and alcohol.  If he wasn't a media
darling like Magic Johnson, or didn't have the happy on-court persona of Isiah
Thomas, so what?  At 6'5 inches, Dantley played better than the vast
majority of his peers.  For his contributions on the court and the
community, Dantley deserves the honor and recognition of the Hall of Fame.
 

About the writer:  Chris Thomas, chris.thomas@Fans4Dantley,org, is a
six-year alum of Adrian Dantley's basketball camp. Chris recently launched a
campaign to build a groundswell of public support for Dantley's induction
into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the retiring of his number by the
Utah Jazz.  As part of the effort, which Thomas launched to express his
appreciation to Dantley for the positive impact Adrian has had on his life, a Web
site has been launched at  www.Fans4Dantley.org .  The site includes
information about Dantley's illustrious career, arguments as to why Dantley
should be inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame and an online petition
and message board for fans to show their support.

June 9, 2000
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