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Perhaps spurred by the success of Pascal Siakam, illuminated by his performance in the NBA Finals for the Indiana Pacers, the question popped up in my mind: Who are the best-ever pro basketball players from the University of New Mexico and New Mexico State University?
At the same time, Geoff Grammer, my colleague at the Albuquerque Journal, was pondering the identical question. His list, published June 4, was very similar to the one I was working on. However, probably based on our age difference and my admitted biases, there were some differences.
Grammer came up with his top six, while I went with a starting five. Cue “Sirius,” the player introduction music for the Chicago Bulls made famous by the Alan Parsons Project. Let’s start with UNM’s Michael Cooper at No. 1.
I argued in these pages last year that Coop should be in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and, lo and behold, he was elected in 2024. You’re welcome.
Even though I was a mere child during Cooper’s playing days as a Lobo All-American, I covered him with the Lakers and when he coached the Albuquerque Thunderbirds of the G-League. Cooper won five NBA titles with the star-studded Showtime Lakers, and perfected the dunk that became known as the Coop-a-loop.
While he was never a great scorer, Cooper’s relentless defense garnered eight selections on the NBA All-Defensive Team including the NBA Defensive Player of the Year in 1987.
Many might argue that my next choice, UNM’s Mel Daniels, should actually lead the list. Daniels, also in the Hall of Fame, started in the old ABA, where he was a two-time MVP and three-time champion. If Daniels is No. 1 on your list, no argument from me.
Three and four came in as a virtual dead heat between a pair of Aggies — Siakam and Sam Lacey. I changed my mind in the past few weeks, and moved Siakam in front by a hair.
Siakam has an NBA title, with Toronto, and was this season’s Eastern Conference Finals MVP. His career has been quietly steady and effective. Finally, he is getting noticed.
As for Lacey, he led NMSU to its only Final Four appearance, in 1970 under Lou Henson. While his pre-pro time can’t be considered for this list, his career in the NBA, mostly with what is now the Sacramento Kings franchise, was excellent. Lacey averaged a double-double each of his first six seasons and is one of just five players to have 100 blocks and 100 steals in six straight seasons.
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After mulling over for days who should be the final member of my fab five, the fog cleared — UNM’s Danny Granger gets the call. Somewhat similar to Siakam in body-type and statistics, Granger wasn’t flashy but very productive.
Granger led the Pacers in scoring five straight years, once at more than 25 points per game. While an all-star and the NBA’s Most Improved Player, Granger’s career was shortened by injuries.
Cooper, Daniels, Siakam, Lacy and Granger. Not bad. Still, I feel guilty about who was left out. Former Lobo Kenny Thomas will give me grief.
KT, you almost made it. So did fellow-Lobo Luc Longley, a three time NBA champ. UNM’s Tony Snell had a really nice career, as did little guys Charlie Criss and Randy Brown of NMSU.
Willie Banks, who played professionally in New Zealand, deserves an honorable mention.
Speaking of little guys, Avery Johnson of New Mexico Junior College almost snuck into the starting lineup. The “Little General” won an NBA title with the Spurs and played more than 1000 games, most of anyone on this page. His resume also includes stints as an NBA coach and ESPN analyst, although those don’t factor into this ranking.
If you missed Geoff Grammer’s list, it includes in alphabetical order: Cooper, Daniels, Granger, Lacey, Siakam and John Williamson of NMSU. I had forgotten about Williamson, who had two ABA championships with the New York Nets and once averaged 29.5 points per game with the NBA’s New Jersey Nets. However, Williamson’s career only lasted eight seasons.
Compare and contrast. What is right? What is wrong? Oh, and I’m already working on a similar list for football.
