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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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Former NBA DPOY Alvin Robertson
LOS ANGELES – FEBRUARY 3: Alvin Robertson #21 of the San Antonio Spurs dunks against the Los Angeles Clippers during a game played February 3, 1989 at the Los Angeles Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California. Copyright 1989 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images) /

50 greatest players who aren’t in the Basketball Hall of Fame: 22. Alvin Robertson

Over the course of 12 NBA seasons, Alvin Robertson proved to be one of the most dominant defensive forces in the NBA. He also established himself as a capable scorer and productive facilitator, thus emerging as one of the more valuable combo guards in the Association.

The accolades are present and the status as an elite defender is undeniable, thus combining to make Robertson one of the best two-way players of his generation.

Robertson made four All-Star Game appearances during his career, as well as an All-NBA Second Team during the 1985-86 campaign. He won Defensive Player of the Year that season, as well as earning the NBA Most Improved Player award.

Robertson is also one of just four players in NBA history to record a quadruple-double.

In total, Robertson made six All-Defensive Teams and led the league in steals in three different seasons. He was just the second player in league history to have three seasons at the top of the steals leaderboard, following only Micheal Ray Richardson.

Robertson’s accolades continue on the global scene, as he helped Team USA win the gold medal at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles—before NBA players called international play a second home.

Throw in three 30-point games during the Playoffs and Robertson has a combination of statistics and accolades that make for quite the intriguing candidacy.

For perspective on just how good Robertson was during his prime, he averaged 16.5 points, 6.0 rebounds, 5.7 assists, and 3.1 steals per game on 48.4 percent shooting between 1985-86 and 1990-91.

If nothing else, Robertson ranking 10th all-time in steals is a significant feat.