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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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Red Kerr had an undeniable impact
CHICAGO – MARCH 06: A detail of a patch is seen on the jersey of Kirk Hinrich #12 of Chicago Bulls in memory of former Bulls coach and announcer Johnny “Red” Kerr as well as former Bulls Player Norm Van Lier (who wore the #2 while with the Bulls) against the Milwaukee at the United Center on March 6, 2009 in Chicago, Illinois. Both Kerr and Van Lier passed away on February 26. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

50 greatest players who aren’t in the Basketball Hall of Fame: 50. Red Kerr

Red “Johnny” Kerr played 11 NBA seasons between 1954-55 and 1965-66. During his time with the Syracuse Nationals, Philadelphia 76ers, and Baltimore Bullets, he became one of the sports original walking double-doubles, alongside Hall of Famers such as Dolph Schayes and Hal Greer.

Kerr would later find success and notoriety as a head coach and commentator, but it was his time as a player that has him quite close to Hall of Fame status. Between 1956-57 and 1963-64, Kerr averaged 15.3 points and 12.9 rebounds per game. He also appeared in 76 playoff games, helping the Nationals win the championship in 1954-55.

Kerr helped Syracuse reach the 1956 Eastern Division Finals, as well, and added two more appearances in 1959 and 1961.

While he may not have been the go-to offensive player on those teams, his contributions as a scorer and rebounder provided stability down low for a long list of teammates and coaches. It also added up in an impressive manner.

Statistically, Kerr finished his career with 12,480 points and 10,092 rebounds. For perspective, only five players who debuted during the 1950s accumulated at least 10,000 points and 10,000 rebounds: Elgin Baylor, Bob Pettit, Bill Russell, Dolph Schayes, and Kerr.

The other four players are all-time greats who are comfortably in the Hall of Fame. Kerr is the only individual in that group who remains on the outside looking in. Whether or not that should be the case, Kerr deserves more respect for his contributions to the growth of the sport.