Send the college hoopsters back to school for their finals and “bracket fans” (posing as basketball fans) back to whatever they do during the regular basketball season. March Madness is over and the real basketball season begins. It’s NBA Playoff time.

The greatest athletes in the world, a.k.a. professional basketball players, begin their quest for that elusive ring and NBA glory. Not everyone can boast of 11 or six rings as can Bill Russell and Michael Jordon, respectively. Rings are hard to come by. Just ask Kevin Garnett, who thought he was on his way to ring number two this year, only to learn his balky knee likely won’t allow him to even compete for another.

You can play the college bracket-game all you want…but give me the NBA Playoffs as the best and most exciting time of the year for real hoop fans. Which other sport do we even dream to consider that amateur athletes provide more entertainment than the pros? Don’t get me wrong, college basketball can be exciting – but I prefer watching the greatest athletes in the world play – especially during the playoffs.

So with Garnett reportedly out of the picture, it appears we’re down to two teams legitimately vying for the 2009 NBA Championship. Aren’t we destined to see a LeBron–Kobe match-up? If so…God, spare me the hype! They are indeed the two greatest players on the planet – and we’ll surely be reminded daily of their greatness for weeks. I assure you, the four-letter network and ABC have already started shooting special segments in preparation for a LA–Cleveland finals that they desperately want to occur. If you hate Kobe now, wait until the end of the playoffs. And, even the likeable LeBron might be so over-hyped that he, too, will get too much face-time. The media can hurt an athlete’s appeal as much as it helps. That is, unless your Jordon or Tiger.

So, is there any real threat to either the Lakers or Cavs gaining the finals? In the east, the Garnett-less Celtics will have a tough time getting by Orlando to face Cleveland. But even without Garnett, the C’s are a bigger threat to LeBron than the Magic. The Cavaliers might have a tougher time with the Pistons in the first round than they would against Orlando in the eastern conference finals.

In the west, I’d like to see the Trail Blazers get by the Rockets and eventually face the Lakers in the finals. Kobe has lost eight-straight games in Portland’s Rose Garden to the athletic, Brandon Roy-led Blazers. I’d love to see if that success can carry over to the playoffs.

All that said; get ready for the Kobe – LeBron hype. It’s inevitable. To all NBA conspiracy theorists…it’s post time.

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame recently announced its 2009 Induction Class – and it could be one of its greatest classes ever. Hell, anything in basketball including Michael Jordon’s name has to be considered one of the best. Joining Jordon are fellow players David Robinson and John Stockton, plus Coaches Jerry Sloan and Vivian Stringer. And while all may be deserving of this great honor, I continue to wonder why Artis Gilmore has been the forgotten man in the Basketball Hall of Fame process.

Let me first admit; Artis Gilmore is my friend. I have known Artis since he arrived on the Florida campus of Jacksonville University in 1969. He became my fraternity brother, and remains my friend today. So, while my comments may be somewhat prejudiced, they are no less factual.

Secondly, let’s remember that it’s the Basketball Hall of Fame – not the National Basketball Association Hall of Fame. Nowhere in the Hall of Fame eligibility rules do I read anything relating to the NBA. Therefore, shouldn’t a player’s entire professional and college career be considered by voting members? And that includes American Basketball Association (ABA) numbers.

For those who snicker at the mention of the ABA, lest you forget some of the great players of that era (1967-1976) came out of the “outlaw” red, white, and blue league. Along with Artis (voted #2 greatest ABA player ever), there was its greatest player, Julius (Dr. J.) Erving; plus: George Gervin, Connie Hawkins, Rick Barry, George McGinnis, Dan Issel, David Thompson, Spencer Haywood, Charlie Scott, Moses Malone, Billy Cunningham, Maurice Lucas, Marvin Barnes, Louie Dampier, and Roger Brown. So, there should be no doubt about the quality of play in the ABA.

Therefore, ABA numbers not being included in a player’s overall professional career is questionable. Remember, the ABA didn’t actually fold. In June 1976, the two leagues made peace, and four ABA teams merged into the NBA (New York Nets, Denver Nuggets, Indiana Pacers, and San Antonio Spurs). Comparably, the ABA was not the World Football League. It should be considered more like the American Football League, which merged with the NFL.

Including Gilmore’s ABA stats of 22.3 points and 17.1 rebounds per game, and 750 total blocked-shots, Artis would be ranked 4th all-time in rebounding (only behind Chamberlain, Russell, and Jabbar), 9th in blocked shots, and 14th in total points. Even without ABA stats, Gilmore’s NBA numbers rank him in the top ten in rebounds, blocked shots, games played, and minutes played…and among the top 25 all-time in points. He also ranks first overall in field goal percentage. No other player with comparable statistical accomplishments has been omitted from the Hall of Fame. Unfortunately, Artis is now ineligible for enshrinement until 2012.

Regarding Artis’ college career, he led the NCAA in rebounding both his junior and senior years while at Jacksonville. He holds the Division I college rebounding record of 22.7 rebounds per game and is one of only a few players in college basketball history to average 20 points and 20 rebounds for his college career. He also led tiny Jacksonville University to the 1970 NCAA finals against mighty UCLA.

Take a look at some of Artis’ individual accomplishments – and if you can, tell me why this man is not in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

•    ABA All-time team
•    ABA MVP 1972
•    ABA Rookie of the Year 1972
•    5x ABA All-Star
•    5x ABA First Team
•    5x ABA All-Defensive Team First Team
•    6x NBA All-Star
•    1x NBA All-Defensive Team
•    NBA Career Leader in Field Goal Percentage (59.9%)

Artis Gilmore is the most glaring omission to a respective Hall of Fame. The Basketball Hall of Fame should see the error of its way and allow Artis to have his rightful place among his peers when once again eligible in 2012.