Posted Sunday, August 01, 2010, 6:00 AM by Jason Remillard  - Original Article

Imagine walking onto your local playground’s basketball court and seeing a scene straight out of “Field of Dreams.”

A “Court of Dreams,” if you will.

Hall of Famers everywhere you turn ... who would you pick for your team?

Take one look at the list of legends expected to attend the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement festivities, which begin Aug. 7. If you thought back to when these players were in their prime, how many different five-somes could you come up with?

It would be a harder five to pick than Charles Barkley’s T-Mobile friend circle.

About 70 basketball legends with at least 76 NBA and 34 NCAA national championships between them (as players, owners and coaches) will descend upon Springfield from Aug. 7 to 13, and you don’t need a telescope to view this kind of star power.

In fact, this may be the biggest constellation of basketball stars ever under one roof – and the Hall of Fame will serve as one great sports planetarium.

“It really is amazing, one, to have the Hall of Fame in our city, so close by, and to have the festivities they’ve been having,” said Springfield native and University of Massachusetts men’s basketball head coach Derek Kellogg. “I hope people realize that no other city in the world has this, and I hope they take advantage of it.”

The 2010 class includes former NBA greats Karl Malone and Scottie Pippen, WNBA star Cynthia Cooper, Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss, legendary New Jersey high school coach Bob Hurley and the U.S. Olympic men’s basketball teams from 1960 and 1992. Being inducted posthumously are former Boston Celtics point guard Dennis Johnson, 1970s NBA star Gus Johnson and international legend Maciel “Ubiratan” Pereira.

The Class of 2010 takes its place in history at the Induction Ceremonies on Aug. 13 at Symphony Hall, with the ring ceremony the following day at Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Uncasville, Conn.

Kellogg’s Minutemen will have a day in their honor during Enshrinement Week, something the coach is excited about.

“I don’t know exactly what they want us to do on UMass Day, but we want to be involved,” Kellogg said. “I think it’s a great time to show we’re involved with the Hall of Fame, so we want to participate however we can.”

Multiple-time NBA champion – and controversial tabloid icon – Dennis Rodman will be at the Hall on Aug. 12 from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. to sign autographs. No word if “The Worm” will wear a wedding dress to the proceedings.