The Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts announced yesterday that Harvey Pollack of the Philadelphia '76ers, Mr. Stats, is the recipient of the 2002 John Bunn Award for a lifetime of contributions to the game. He's been associated with the NBA from its beginning in 1946 and has been a keeper of the records and statistics of basketball for more than 60 years.



"Over the years, Pollack either wholly invented or became the first to chart such intrinsic game information as: minutes played, assists, steals, turnovers, blocked shots, and offensive and defensive rebounds. He coined the term "triple-double," to describe the accomplishment of a player who reaches double figures during a game in three categories."



Pollack was on hand for Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point game in Hershey in 1962, just as during his career he's seen him play in Philadelphia for Overbrook High, the Warriors and the '76ers, and continues to defend him as the greatest player in the history of the game.