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

By Maxwell Ogden

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)
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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ABA legend Mack Calvin
NEW YORK – CIRCA 1978: Mack Calvin #20 of the Denver Nuggets dribbles the ball while guarded by Jim Cleamons #35 of the New York Knicks during an NBA basketball game circa 1978 at Madison Square Garden in the Manhattan borough of New York City. Calvin played for the Nuggets from 1974-75 and 1977-78. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

50 greatest players who aren’t in the Basketball Hall of Fame: 37. Mack Calvin

As previously acknowledged, this list wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging some legends of the ABA who are not currently in the Hall of Fame. One of the most egregious ABA omissions from the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is Mack Calvin.

For perspective on what he meant to that league, Calvin received the most votes of any player on the All-Time ABA Team who isn’t currently in the Hall of Fame.

At a time when the NBA was without a plethora of elite players, including Rick Barry, Julius Erving, George Gervin, Artis Gilmore, and David Thompson, Calvin was one of the best players in the league they called home.

During his seven seasons in the ABA, Calvin averaged 19.9 points, 5.8 assists, and 1.7 steals over the course of 533 games played. Those numbers inevitably led to significant accolades. He was named All-ABA in four different seasons.

That includes three years during which he was named All-ABA First Team and five that he was an ABA All-Star.

The ABA may not have been as deep as the NBA, but it had similar star power at the top of the proverbial food chain. The fact that Calvin was routinely named as a player who was at the same level as the aforementioned legends should provide all the context one needs as to just how great he was.

Calvin ranked eighth all-time amongst ABA players in scoring and second all-time in steals.

The ABA was too important to the history of basketball for Calvin not to be in the Hall of Fame with his legendary peers.