NBA: 50 greatest players who aren’t in the Basketball Hall of Fame

AUBURN HILLS, UNITED STATES: Chauncey Billups of the Detroit Piston celebrates with the fans after the Pistons defeated the Lakers 100-87 to win the 2004 NBA championship final, in Auburn Hills, MI, 15 June 2004. The Pistons won the best-of-seven NBA championship series 5-1 and Billups was the series MVP. AFP PHOTO / Robyn BECK (Photo credit should read ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images) /

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50 greatest players who aren’t in the Basketball Hall of Fame: 40. Freddie Lewis

When the ABA announced its All-Time Team in 1997, a long list of Hall of Famers was honored with a new type of distinction. Unfortunately, there were also players who were selected who aren’t in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Considering the ABA is the league that gave basketball its swagger, perhaps that shouldn’t be the case.

One of the most egregious ABA omissions from Springfield is Indiana Pacers legend, multi-time champion, and statistically elite combo guard Freddie Lewis.

Lewis ranks sixth in ABA history in scoring at 11,660 points. He also ranks fourth in ABA history in assists. That’s a statistical combination of facts that at least puts him in the conversation for the Hall of Fame.
The reality of Lewis’ case, however, is that it’s made in the Playoffs.
Lewis helped the Pacers win three separate ABA Championships, including back-to-back titles in 1972 and 1973. He won ABA Playoffs MVP in 1971-72, which should tell you all you need to know about his value to the Indiana teams that won it all.

For perspective, he’s one of just two players who won that award but are not in the Hall of Fame. The other is Warren Jabali, whose only real detraction is the length of his career.

For further context: Lewis led the Pacers past Rick Barry and the New York Nets to win the title in 1972. He averaged 22.8 points and 5.3 assists per game during that Finals series.

Lewis is one of the all-time great Pacers players and a champion point guard. The ABA deserves enough respect for Lewis to be in.