Bob Mcadoo should have been included in the top 50 players of all time in 1997.

[Lebron23]

I think the NBA made a big mistake by not including him in the 50 greatest player of all time despite having a better professional career than some of the players that was chosen in 1996.


Mcadoo was the only former NBA MVP that was not included in the NBA 50 Greatest Player of all time, and he won his MVP Trophy during the dominating reign of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the 1970's.

During the 1975-76 Season, the 6'9" Bob McAdoo averaged 34.5 points, 14.1 rebounds and 2.12 blocks, with an incredible shooting of 51.2 from the field and an impressive free throw percentage of 80.5. In the same season, he also led the NBA in fan voting for the All-Star Game.

Sports Illustrated also quoted that Mcadoo was "the quickest tall man, finest shooter and most astounding outside scoring machine ever to play basketball"

He was also a former NBA 3 times Scoring Champion, and one of the best shooting big men during his time.

Russell called him the greatests shooting big men in the 1970's. Mcadoo played the PF and Center position during his prime., and he was also a great rebounder, and a very effective shot blocker while playing for the Buffalo Braves and New York Knicks.

Rebounds Per Game

1973-74 NBA 15.1 (3)
1974-75 NBA 14.1 (4)
1975-76 NBA 12.4 (7)
1976-77 NBA 12.9 (5)
1977-78 NBA 12.8 (8)

Blocks Per Game

1973-74 NBA 3.3 (3)
1974-75 NBA 2.1 (6)
1975-76 NBA 2.1 (6)

I think Bob McAdoo was more worthy of a slot in the Top 50 players of all time, and it's a shame that the NBA didn't recognized his past accomplishment because he played on some bad teams just like Pistol Pete Maravich.

I mean, Maravich was a decent player, but there’s no way he should be on the list before McAdoo.

Mcadoo was one of the best player in the 1970's and with his skills set i still think that he can also dominate in the modern era. he was a genuine freak of nature.

He also won 2 NBA titles as a role player for the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1980's.





But the sad part of it he was named in the 50 Greatest Euroleague Contributors, but the NBA failed to include him in their lists.


Honors:


First overall pick in the 1972 NBA Draft
2x NBA champion (1982, 1985)
3x NBA Scoring Champion ( 74, 75, 76)
1x NBA MVP (1975)
1x All-NBA First Team (1975)
1x All-NBA Second Team (1974)
NBA Rookie of the Year (1973)
1972-73 All-NBA All-Rookie First Team
5x NBA All-Star (1974-78)

International Career

2X Euroleague Championship in 1987 and 1988
Former Euroleague MVP


Regular Season Stats


Games: 852
Points: 18787
PPG: 22.9
RPG: 9.4
APG: 2.3
SPG: 1.0
BPG: 1.5
FG%: 0.503
FT%: 0.754


NBA and College Highlights

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lD4vbr-280Q&fmt=18

[hawkfan]

Yep.

[L.Kizzle]

Who do you take out? And yes, he was the biggest omission?

[Lebron23]

It would help if you posted players that made it over him and compared their resumes. Just a suggestion.

Pistol Pete Maravich
24 yrs.old Shaquille O'Neal - He only played less than 5 seasons in the NBA. He was a beast, but Mcadoo had the longevity on his side.
Lenny Wilkens

[pudman13]

McAdoo was amazing in his prime, and even after it (as a role players on some 80s Lakers championship teams), but here's my question about him. Why is it that there was a period (1976-1980), when he was still capable of 30 points a game, when he was traded from team to team, basically not wanted by anyone? Was he not a good team player? Not a good defender? Does anyone have any insight into this? I did read a book about the Celtics' 1978-79 season and they really didn't want him there at all, feeling (though they didn't entirely explain why) that he messed up team chemistry.

Anyway, here are people in the top 50 he should have ranked above:

Dave Bing
Billy Cunningham
Dave DeBusschere
Hal Greer
Bill Sharman
Nate Thurmond
James Worthy

Some others are questionable too, but McAdoo does have a brief peak period going against him, I suppose.

[bizil]

Who do you take out? And yes, he was the biggest omission?

I agree! I think him and Nique were the biggest ones. McAdoo with those three scoring titles, an MVP, two NBA titles, and redefining the C and PF positions should have been a lock. That team had too many supporting cast type of players on it. For those kind of lists, u HAVE to look at the most dominant alpha dog players then the most dominant specialists or intangibles kind of players (like a Russell or Stockton). Some guys on that squad weren't DOMINANT ENOUGH to make the team. Guys like McAdoo and Nique EASILY WERE! To me, it was a forgone conclusion that they would make it.

[L.Kizzle]

I agree! I think him and Nique were the biggest ones. McAdoo with those three scoring titles, an MVP, two NBA titles, and redefining the C and PF positions should have been a lock. That team had too many supporting cast type of players on it. For those kind of lists, u HAVE to look at the most dominant alpha dog players then the most dominant specialists or intangibles kind of players (like a Russell or Stockton). Some guys on that squad weren't DOMINANT ENOUGH to make the team. Guys like McAdoo and Nique EASILY WERE! To me, it was a forgone conclusion that they would make it.

Wasn't McAdoo into drugs in the late 70. Bogger Sugar? That has to be the reason for not making NBA at 50 and not going into the hall into 2000?

[Round Mound]

Agree...But What Players Would You Have Taken Out Of The Top 50 Tu Put Bob Mcadoo?

[bizil]

Wasn't McAdoo into drugs in the late 70. Bogger Sugar? That has to be the reason for not making NBA at 50 and not going into the hall into 2000?

I've heard that before to. It wouldn't surprise if some judgemental assholes held that against McAdoo in order to get their buddies on the list. At the time of the list, they say McAdoo was THE ONLY MVP not to make the list. But they have Walton on there who was injury prone as hell and they have Shaq who was only in the L for five years. Having those two in there over McAdoo and Dominique is a travesty! The mark McAdoo left on the game can STILL be seen today.

At least offensively, Dirk is the most similar to Bob but with more three point range. Also in many ways, Durant is like a hybrid version of McAdoo, Gervin, T-Mac, and a bit of Bird all in one. This stretch PF craze that's going on today has Bob's footprint all over it. But the key to McAdoo (unlike strecth PF's like a Love, Ryan Anderson, etc) is the fact that he had an elite swingman's kind of scoring skillset at PF or C. Just Dirk has today.

[L.Kizzle]

Agree...But What Players Would You Have Taken Out Of The Top 50 Tu Put Bob Mcadoo?

Sharman

[pudman13]

At least offensively, Dirk is the most similar to Bob

When I first watched Dirk, that was exactly what came to mind: "This guy is another McAdoo." Everyone wanted to compare Dirk to Bird because, well, people are unimaginative and compare every white guy to another white guy, just like every female singer in a psychedelic band gets compared to Grace Slick.

Anyway, McAdoo in his prime was just amazing to watch. For a year or two, that Braves team with McAdoo, Ernie D. and Randy Smith was just about the most fun team in the history of the NBA.

[Miller for 3]

Agreed. The sad thing is Lebron would not make the current top 50. His era too weak, teams too stacked, too many paid refs, too many collisions, too many PEDs, etc. Maybe top 50 3rd options ever? But if your life deepened on it, would you really take Bran over Bibby or Pressey? Nah

[aj1987]

Agreed. The sad thing is Lebron would not make the current top 50. His era too weak, teams too stacked, too many paid refs, too many collisions, too many PEDs, etc. Maybe top 50 3rd options ever? But if your life deepened on it, would you really take Bran over Bibby or Pressey? Nah

Are you on drugs?

[stalkerforlife]

Agreed. The sad thing is Lebron would not make the current top 50. His era too weak, teams too stacked, too many paid refs, too many collisions, too many PEDs, etc. Maybe top 50 3rd options ever? But if your life deepened on it, would you really take Bran over Bibby or Pressey? Nah

[Pointguard]

I've heard that before to. It wouldn't surprise if some judgemental assholes held that against McAdoo in order to get their buddies on the list. At the time of the list, they say McAdoo was THE ONLY MVP not to make the list. But they have Walton on there who was injury prone as hell and they have Shaq who was only in the L for five years. Having those two in there over McAdoo and Dominique is a travesty! The mark McAdoo left on the game can STILL be seen today.

At least offensively, Dirk is the most similar to Bob but with more three point range. Also in many ways, Durant is like a hybrid version of McAdoo, Gervin, T-Mac, and a bit of Bird all in one. This stretch PF craze that's going on today has Bob's footprint all over it. But the key to McAdoo (unlike strecth PF's like a Love, Ryan Anderson, etc) is the fact that he had an elite swingman's kind of scoring skillset at PF or C. Just Dirk has today.

Great post as always.

In fairness to McAdoo, he was a superior post player than Dirk and could penetrate from the top of the key. In his prime had years where he blocked more than 3 a game, had more than 4 assist per game and more than 15 rebounds per game. McAdoo, had one of the best all around games in the history of the league. He outscored Kareem in his prime by huge ppg numbers. While not long lasting, it was an undeniable skill set and as you said, had more influence on todays game as much as anybody. McAdoo was shooting from 3 point land despite there not being a line there.