Former Blazers Coach Maurice Cheeks, Former Blazers Owner Harry Glickman Nominated For Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame

Scott Howard-Cooper of NBA.com reports that former Portland Trail Blazers coach Maurice Cheeks and Blazers founder Harry Glickman are among the 2013 nominees for the Naismith Basketball Hall Of Fame. Cheeks is nominated as a player, after missing the cut the last two years, and Glickman is a first-time nominee as a Contributor.

Cheeks coached the Blazers from 2001-2005, compiling a 162-139 (.538) record.

Glickman was one of the founders of the Blazers and has served as a front-office executive for decades, including stints as general manager, president and president emeritus.

This is the first step in the process. A pool of Hall Of Fame finalists will be named during 2013 All-Star Weekend and from there inductees will be selected.

In 2012, former Blazers center Arvydas Sabonis (here) and former Blazers broadcaster Bill Schonely (here) were both honored by the Hall of Fame.

Update (Tuesday): The Blazers sent out this release on behalf of Glickman.

Trail Blazers Founder Harry Glickman has been nominated for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame's Class of 2013, the Hall announced. Glickman is nominated in the Contributor category, which elects one member each year.

In addition to his Hall of Fame nomination, Glickman has been nominated for the 2013 John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by the Hall of Fame. The award is the highest and most prestigious honor presented by the Hall of Fame outside of enshrinement.

Glickman was the driving force that advocated for professional basketball in the Northwest. After founding the Trail Blazers in 1970, he oversaw the franchise's growth over its first 24 years, serving as executive vice president, general manager and president. During his tenure as the Trail Blazers' leader, he helped construct the roster that earned the Trail Blazers their first NBA Championship in 1977. He also guided the Trail Blazers' business operations to the all-time professional sports record of 814 consecutive sellouts. Due largely to his success, the Trail Blazers became a model franchise for small market NBA teams. Glickman retired as team president in 1994 and has since served as the team's president emeritus.

Nike co-founder Phil Knight was elected in the Hall of Fame's Contributor category in 2012, while longtime NBA executive Pat Williams won the John W. Bunn Award.

The Hall of Fame's Class of 2013 will be announced at the NBA's All-Star Weekend, February 15-17. The John W. Bunn and Curt Gowdy Media Award winners are also expected to be announced at that time.

-- Ben Golliver | benjamin.golliver@gmail.com | Twitter