Legendary hoopsters Gervin, Thompson lead new crop of Basketball Hall of Fame inductees

George Gervin, David Thompson and four others recently were chosen to enter the Basketball Hall of Fame. Gervin and Thompson, who both started their professional basketball careers as American Basketball Association (ABA) stars, introduced artistry and high-flying antics to NBA fans after the league merged with the ABA in 1976.

Gervin, 43, who played most of his 14-year career with the San Antonio Spurs, was known as the "Iceman". He put fear in the hearts of the most unrelenting defenses with effortless and flawless hook shots, picture-perfect finger rolls and a long-range shooting touch.

The 12-time NBA All-Star is only one of seven players to score 2,000 points in six consecutive seasons. He is one of only three players to win four or more scoring titles.

"It's truly an honor to be going in with David. We had quite a few battles," Gervin said, remembering how they battled for the 1978 scoring title up to the final regular season game.

Thompson scored 73 points for Denver to take an early advantage. But Gervin answered later that day with 63 points for the Spurs to win the title.

Thompson spent most of his career with the Denver Nuggets after leading North Carolina State to an NCAA title in 1974. Thompson, who was only 6-foot-4, was called "Skywalker" because of his uncanny ability to elevate high above the rim and power slam dunks over much larger opponents.

Thompson, 41, was a three-time All-American at North Carolina State and was named the College Basketball Player of the Year twice. He was also the Most Outstanding Player of the NCAA Championship tournament in 1974.

He was the ABA Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player in the All-Star game that year. He played in four All-Star games and is the only player to become an All-Star MVP in both leagues.

Also elected to the Hall were smooth-shooting lefty Gail Goodrich of the Los Angeles Lakers and UCLA Bruins, women's star Nancy Lieberman-Cline, Kresimir Cosic, a Croatian player who died last May at the age of 46, and early NBA scoring star George Yardley

Enshrinement ceremonies will be held on May 6 at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, MA.