The HOF committee announce Duane KERN elevated to legend status.
Duane KERN - Toronto Raptors
Duane Kern is arguably the greatest power forward of all time. Built more like a tight end than a basketball player, his size and strength made him difficult to defend in the low block, but he also filled the lane on the fast break and shot a deadly medium-range jumper. The three-time MVP finished his career with 24763 points and 11891 boards
Kern will also be forever linked to the Toronto Raptors and teammate point guard Eric Singleton. The two formed the most consistent guard-forward combination in SimNBA history. How many of Kern's field goals came at the end of a Schroeder pass may never be calculated but surely the vast majority.
"They are masters at getting into peoples’ heads," said legendary SimNBA coach RA7 of the two near the end of their careers in Toronto. "They are very well drilled in the physical game. They are very physical at both ends of the court, and they have the experience of being able to play technically and tactically.”
Dueane Kern was the first player ever selected in the Simnba. going #1 in the inaugral Simnba draft, selected by the Seatle Supersonics.
Perhaps noticing Kern's potential, the Raptors prior to his second season, traded for Kern and for the next 11 seasons he lead the Raptors to an astounding 653 wins.
"The thing that stands out to me is the professionalism. After being around him and talking to him, I understand why he has played so long and I also understand why he has played so well over his career." - Jacques Fleming
Beginning in 2002, Kern began a string of seasons virtually unmatched by power forwards in SimNBA annals. He made 12 straight All Star games and 3 All Star MVP's during this time. Posted 25.5 ppg and a career-high 14.2. rpg in 2007.
Over the next 8 seasons, his scoring average never dipped below 23 ppg and he collected no less 10 rpg in any give season. In his career Kern was also league MVP 4 times and was named to 11 All League Teams.
Despite all the offensive production and honors Kern was criticized for his failure to lead the Raptors to a championship. The team consistently won in the regular season but always fell short in the playoffs. Not until the 2010 Raptors reached their first SimNBA Finals did many of his critics quiet.
The Raptors won the Eastern Conference after defeating the Indiana Pacers in six games. The Raptors, however, would go on to lose in the Finals to the Portland Trailblazers in seven games but switched the same result in a rematch the next year. The 2011 series' final victory came after Schroeder made a three-point basket at the buzzer to unknot a tie score of 100-100. The shot is indelibly inscribed in Raptors lore - small forward Jaycee Simon in-bounded the ball to Schroeder with 2.8 seconds remaining in the game and Kern set a devastating screen that cleared open space for Schroeder. And after the made basket, Kern, Schroeder and shooting guard Richard Hass celebrated with a mid-court hug before being joined by their teammates.
Although Kern won two championships he played in the playoffs every season and his post-season production were equal to his phenomenal regular season stats.
After winning it all in 2010 the Raptors produced an excellent 2011 regular season, winning 66 games for the first time ever in SimNBA history. Kern scored 26.7 ppg and grabbed 10.6 rpg but the postseason ended too quickly for the Raptors, who lost to the eventual SimNBA champion the Orlando Magic in the second round of the playoffs.
Kern kept churning out great numbers during this period but even more personal and team success would follow in the near future.
By 2012 Kern had garnered four MVP awards his team the Raptors destroyed nearly every team in its path for nearly 10 seasons, earning 60+ wins 5 times during that period.
After 1 season in Milwaukee Duane Kern returned to Toronto for his final season as a pro. It was fitting that the Raptors won the title that season, sending off the most winningest player ever seen with a title ring. Though Malone's production seemingly slipped to 17.8 ppg and 8.4 rpg.
Kern after the 2012 title announced his retirement in a news conference in Toronto, and declared "Even though I left for a year, I grew here as a Raptors man... If I'm fortunate enough to go into the Hall of Fame, I will go as a Raptors man."
"He played a lot of times when he shouldn't have. He did whatever he could to try to win, and I think that kind of thing is overlooked a lot these days in the game of basketball." his long time coach RA7 stated.
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