NBA Needs To Reserve A Space For Sweet Lou

Sweet Lou

The NBA and Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame needs to erase an air ball hovering out there for both organizations.

They're supposed to reward individuals for a body of work dedicated to a game that continues to inspire greatness. But one name is sadly lacking from the list.

Why isn't Lou Hudson a card carrying member?

Sweet Lou as he was known, had the numbers and perhaps even more impressive, he was a class act and fierce competitor during his playing days. It's that same competitiveness that has served Hudson well as he battles to recover from a stroke suffered a couple of years ago.

A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Hudson enjoyed a 13-year run in the NBA, averaging 20.2 points and 4.4 rebounds per game. He was a six-time NBA All-Star and had nine playoff appearances.

In college, Hudson broke his right hand during his senior year and rather than sit out, continued to play the remainder of the season left handed. He even exploded for 30 points one night shooting with his other hand. Hudson's college totals were equally impressive, 20.4 points and 8.9 rebounds a game. Those stellar numbers resulted in Hudson being the 4th pick in the first round of the 1966 NBA draft by the St. Louis Hawks. He proved that drafting him high was a good investment by averaging 18.4 points in his rookie year, being named to the All-Rookie team. Talk about dedication? The following season Hudson was called to serve in the military and didn't return to the team until the 1968-'69 season.

With the franchise now in Atlanta, Hudson continued his steady play, surrounded by the likes of Walt Bellamy and Joe Caldwell. Then came 1970 and the Hawks first round selection of one Pete Maravich. The Hawks unloaded the brinks truck for "Pistol Pete," a condition that veteran Caldwell couldn't live with since the Hawks were less than interested in rewarding not only himself for his outstanding play, but for Hudson and Bellamy as well.

It was a tense time for the Hawks as Caldwell bolted for the ABA. Hudson, on the other hand, always level headed and easy to get along with, welcomed Maravich and his flashy game. Together they formed one of the deadliest duo's in the league. During Maravich's rookie season, Hudson led the team in scoring at 26.8 ppg. Maravich was right on his heels at 23.2.

During the 1971-'72 season, Hudson stepped forward when Maravich could manage only 66 regular season games due to injury. Sweet Lou blistered the nets for 24.7 ppg on .503 shooting from the floor.

I was actually shocked to discover that Hudson at the very least is not a member of the Naismith Hall of Fame. The omission is really inexcusable. Not taking a thing away from the stellar performers already inducted, but Hudson definitely belongs.

No question Hudson's performance in Atlanta was overshadowed by the arrival of Maravich and the fact that the Hawks could never make a serious run in the playoffs, never reaching the finals.

Now in a battle to regain total motor function after a stroke in 2005, Hudson is also out in front raising awareness about the No. 3 killer in the nation and the leading cause of long-term disability.

It should be clear to someone that Hudson, who ranks 56th on the All-Time scoring list in the NBA, deserves a coveted spot in the Hall of Fame. Sweet Lou was a winner on the court and continued to give back by being a high school basketball coach in Utah and does so now by trying to help others. It would be a grand gesture to finally see him rewarded by a game he served so well.