Artis Gilmore - why is he not in the Basketball Hall of Fame

Gilmore may be the greatest basketball player not in the Hall of Fame. Why is beyond me. I am not sure what it is he did in life that caused Sports Writers not to like him. Many of his stats rank him among the elite. His stats are also superior to many others that are in the Hall of Fame.

Gilmore began his pro career with the Kentucky Colonels of the ABA. He quickly became one of the ABA's biggest superstars and best players. He holds the ABA record in field goal percentage .557,career blocked shots 750, blocked shots in a season 287 during the 1973-74 season and most rebounds in a game with 40. He was also the 1974 Finals MVP.

As a NBA player, Gilmore was also a star. He was a 6 time all-star. He led the NBA in field goal percentage four consecutive seasons and holds the NBA record for career field goal percentage at .599.

Below are his career highlights

5x All-ABA First Team (1972-76)
5x ABA All-Defensive First Team (1972-76)
5x ABA All-Star (1972-76)
ABA MVP (1972)
ABA Rookie of the Year (1972)
ABA All-Star Game MVP (1974)
ABA Playoff MVP (1975)
1x NBA All-Defensive Second Team (1978)
6x NBA All-Star (1978, 1979, 1981-83, 1986)
ABA's All-Time Team (1997)
NBA career leader in field goal percentage

Gilmore is among pro-basketball's top 25 all-time scorers, top ten career rebounds and blocked shots.

His career stats are clearly superior to people such as Kevin Mchale, Joe Dumas and James Worthy, among many others. One would think Gilmore would have been an easy choice as a Hall of Famer. For odd reasons Gilmore has never been elected.