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Former Washington High School, IU and Pacers legend, George McGinnis will finally enjoy his long-overdue enshrinement into the Naismith Hall of Fame on Friday evening in Springfield, MA.
How the career, production and winning of Big Mac, delivered in a bruising package with explosive athleticsm didn't garner the HOF honor many years ago is hard to fathom. Sadly, the only reason rests with the Hall's anti-ABA bias which is where McGinnis did some of his best work with the Pacers. Fortunately, the Veterans Committee took care of business.
Regardless, tonight is the night for the Indiana hoops legend to join the greatest players of all-time in Springfield thanks to a game that was like a first gen amalgamation of LeBron James and Karl Malone. "Get out the way!" and "Too late!" are familiar phrases for defenders left in the wake of a McGinnis finish.
As a two-time ABA champion, first-team All-NBA player in his first NBA season and then playing on Philadelphia 76ers’ 1977 runner-up team that let a 2-0 lead slip away in the NBA Finals, McGinnis did plenty of winning to go along with his 20-point double-doubles. Now the game gives back to Big Mac!
Make sure you check out Mark Montieth's excellent work on McGinnis at Pacers.com here and here.
NBA Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony
When: Friday, Sept. 8, 2017
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET (red carpet show), 7:30 p.m. ET (ceremony)
TV: NBA TV
Online: NBA.com