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

50 greatest players who aren’t in the Basketball Hall of Fame: 29. Detlef Schrempf

Before European players were filling out rotations and starting lineups around the Association, Detlef Schrempf was helping break the mold. There were clearly others who helped pave the way, but Shcrempf experienced sustained success at a level that few European players before him had been able to in the NBA.

Schrempf spent 16 years in the NBA, earning awards and honors during the regular season and helping his teams play at a contending level in the postseason.

Schrempf is regarded by many as one of the greatest Sixth Men in NBA history. He’s one of just five players to have won the award on multiple occasions, and joins Kevin McHale and Lou Williams as the only individuals to secure the honor in consecutive seasons.

Perhaps most significant of all is the fact that Schrempf’s success actually translated to the 114 career postseason games that he played with the Dallas Mavericks, Indiana Pacers, Seattle SuperSonics, and Portland Trail Blazers.

Schrempf’s greatest claim to fame took place in 1995-96, when he helped the SuperSonics reach the NBA Finals. He started all 21 games for Seattle that postseason, providing consistent production as a scorer and unique playmaker who could create for others from either forward position.

It may seem like standard practice in the modern era, but it was rare for a 6’10” player to be able to facilitate and space the floor when Schrempf was playing. He did so to the tune of 6.0 assists per game in 1992-93 and 51.4 percent shooting from three-point range in 1994-95.

A case could be made that, due to a combination of his prowess and his influence, Schrempf should join his fellow European influencers in the Hall of Fame.