One of the NBA’s greatest players, Hal Greer, passed away on April 14. He was a 10-time all-star, a Hall of Famer, and a member of the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team. He was 81.
Here are a few stats you may not know about Hal Greer.
- Greer is one of 10 players in NBA history to play 800 or more games and have career averages of at least 19 points, five rebounds and four assists per game. The others on this list: Elgin Baylor, Larry Bird, Kobe Bryant, Wilt Chamberlain, Clyde Drexler, John Havlicek, LeBron James, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Tracy McGrady, Oscar Robertson, Chris Webber and Jerry West. He averaged 19.2 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game in the regular season in his career.
- He is one of 129 players in league history to play in more than 1,000 regular season games. He played in 1,122 games.
- Greer is one of 43 players to have played in 80 or more games in a season nine times or more (he played in 80 or more games nine times). Karl Malone tops this list with 17 seasons with 80 or more games played.
- Greer scored 21,586 regular season points in his career. He is one of 44 players to reach the 20,000-point milestone. He did not, however, ever have a 2,000-point season.
- He played in 92 playoff games averaging 20.4 points per game in the post-season. He is one of 34 players to play 80 or more playoff games and have a 20.0 points per game average.
- Greer was listed at 6’2”. He is one of only three players 6’2” or shorter to have 5,000 or more career rebounds (the others are Lenny Wilkens and Jerry West). In fact, of all players 6’2” and under, Greer tops the list with most career rebounds with 5,665.
- He is one of 13 players from Marshall Universty to play in the NBA. His 21,586 career points in the NBA are the most of any Marshall player. Jason Williams (“White Chocolate”) is second on the list for most points scored by a Marshall University player in the league.
- Greer was the 14th selection in the 1958 NBA Draft. Of the 87 players chosen in that draft, Greer ranks second in career points behind Elgin Baylor, third in rebounds behind Baylor and Wayne Embry, and second in assists behind Guy Rodgers.
Follow Jerry on Twitter @StatsonTapp
Sports Stats 'on Tapp' 
Hal Greer had a great jump shot. The 1966-67 team was loaded w talent. Wilt Chamberlain. Wali Jones. Chet “The Jet” Walker. Lucious Jackson (memorably kicked out of a game in Milwaukee and when leaving the court, gave a middle finger salute). Billy Cunningham. Loads of talent!
Loved watching those 76ers teams plus the Knicks, Celtics and Lakers of that era. That’s when I really became a fan of basketball. Nowadays, it’s hard for me to watch a whole NBA game. Thanks for the comments Bill.
Agreed. Watching the Celtics vs the 79’ers on Sunday afternoon on ABC with Jack Twyman and Chris Schenkel was a treat.
Today’s NBA is full of walks, palms, carry’s and self pontificating chest thumping. LeBron is talented but putting his head down and shouldering his way to the basket is unwatchable. He had 46 ugly points last night and I turned it off at the half. MJ remains the GOAT and Bill Russell remains the GWOAT. Greatest winner of all time.