Collins to receive honor at Hall

Even if Doug Collins doesn't agree with those who see his life in basketball as unfulfilled, he understands why the perception exists.

Collins was an Olympic star, but he had his dream of gold ripped away by the loss to the Soviet Union in the 1972 Munich Games.

He was the 1973 NBA No. 1 overall draft pick who played a major role in the rise of the Philadelphia 76ers from a 9-73 team. A knee injury forced him to retire in 1981, two years before the 76ers beat the Lakers for the 1983 NBA title.

He coached Michael Jordan, arguably the greatest player in NBA history, but he was fired before the Chicago Bulls began their run of six NBA titles. He coached Jordan again in Washington at the end of Jordan's career.

"If I ever was going to write a book, and I probably won't, the title would be 'Always a Winner but Never a Champion,'" Collins said Tuesday.

"I don't have hurt feelings about any of that stuff. That's a nice way to make yourself bitter and forget about all the wonderful things that have happened in my life."

There be more memorable events in the next 10 days.

Collins will receive the Curt Gowdy Media Award at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Thursday night for his work as a broadcaster.

Another honor will come next week. On Sept. 19, a statue of Collins and his college coach, Will Robinson, will be unveiled at Illinois State. The school already has named its court after Collins.

"My career is sort of a Fantasy Island," the 58-year-old Collins said. "They say dream big. Well, this is far greater. The career I've been able to have and have been given through the blessings of God is far greater than anything I could have dreamed."

The Curt Gowdy Award is given annually to members of the print and electronic media who have made a significant contribution to the game. Peter Vecsey, the longtime NBA columnist for the New York Post and USA Today, will receive the print award.

"The game has given so much to me, I don't feel like I could ever repay it," Collins said. "It's going to be a very emotional time."

Collins' work as an NBA broadcaster took him to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, where he experienced another emotional scene.

After the U.S. team won the gold medal, Lebron James jumped over the scorer's table, embraced Collins and said "This is for you."

Collins was so moved he had to put down his microphone.