Two of the greatest centers of all time lead the ballot for the NBA Hall of Fame. Patrick Ewing and Hakeem Olajuwon were the new age of big men. The two met throughout their careers in big games. Ewing and his Georgetown Hoyas bested Olajuwon’s Houston in the 1984 NCAA championship. The Dream got his revenge beating Ewing in the 1994 NBA Finals.
Also a finalist, Miami Heat coach Pat Reilly, winner of five NBA titles (Lakers, 4; Heat, 1). Still in the running are Chris Mullin, Adrian Dantley, Dennis Johnson and Golden State coach Don Nelson. Also on the ballot, Dick Vitale (announcer), Richie Guerin (player/coach), Johnny “Red” Kerr (player/coach), Pistons owner Bill Davidson, Cathy Rush (Immaculata women’s coach), Victor Bubas (Duke coach) and international candidates Togo Soares and Maciel Ubiratan Pereira of Brazil.
Winners will be announced April 7th. The induction ceremony will be held at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass. on September 5th.
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