There has never been a league MVP that didn't make the Hall of Fame. Although some day it will happen. Thus locks: Nash - age 31 Garnett - age 29 (24 all-time rebounds/game, 30 all-time blocks) Duncan- age 29 (21 all-time blocks) Iverson - age 29 (3d all-time PPG) Shaq - age 34 (6th all-time PPG , 15 all-time total points, 25 all-time total rebounds, 20 all-time rebounds/game, 3 all-time field goal %, 9 all-time blocks) Others I think will also make it: Kobe - age 25, not really in 2d half of career yet (potential MVP this year, 17th all-time PPG) Kidd - age 33 (8 all-time total assists, 5 all-time assists/game) Tmac- age 26, also not in 2d half of career yet (23d all-time PPG) Gary Payton - age 38 (23 all-time total points, 21 all-time assists/game, 6 all-time total assists) Need more time and some luck at end of career: Paul Pierce - age 29 (18 all-time PPG) Vince Carter - age 29 (16 all-time PPG) Probably won't but maybe should be: Deke - age 39 (21 all-time total rebounds, 29 all-time rebounds/game, 3 all-time blocks) Probably not: Ray Allen - age 29 Alonzo Mourning - age 36 (25 all-time field goal %, 10 all-time blocks, injured too long) Grant Hill (injured too long)
Ben Wallace has no chance in hell. He was a non-producing bench warmer for far too long in this league.
I think ZO will make it. He is two-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year, a seven-time NBA All-Star, serious MVP candidate from 97-2000, 20 ppg, 10 rbg, 2+blks/g for over 9 years before the freak kidney disease struck...he would probably still be a 20 & 10 guy today if he never got that disease (he takes over 20 pills a day for his kidney which severly impacts his stamina).
Personally I think defense should play a bigger role in hall of fame selection. But it doesn't. I still think Deke should get in regardless. 4 time defesive player of the year. #3 all-time blocked shots and 21 all time rebounds. But his offensive stats may not be sexy enough to get in. Or take Rodman. Two time defensive player of the year. #11 all time total rebounds, #11 all time rebounds/game, 5 championships. But between his head and offensive stats he has no chance of getting in.
Mutombo should also get in b/c of his impact on the game...He was the anchor of that Denver team that upset the Sonics back in 94. Don't they inlcude your collegiate numbers and impact as well? I think he had a decent career at Gtown as well. Dennis Rodman should be in the HOF. Without him I don't think the Bulls win all those titles they did when he was there. Dude used to get into the other team's best players head, never mind the defense, rebounds and intensity he brought every single night! He got into Zo's head, Malone's head, and always guarded the opponents best big man. Who cares that he was a nutcase, if he impacted the game the way he did?
Allen Iverson will be a first round ballot inductee. By the time AI retires, at 91 yrs. old, he will have 100,000 points and the NBA commish will have more tatoos than he does. Seriously, AI will finish his career in the top 5-8 of the all-time scoring list. Scorer's always get in quicker than rebounders and defenders, anyway.
Is there a scenario where someone like Shawn Marion makes it to the HOF? He's been over 19-9 each of the last five seasons and is a main cog in the Suns' game. Let's say he can do at least 19-20 pts and 10 or 11 boards for the next 4-5 seasons, and maybe the Suns take a championship or two - not inconceivable with their talent. Does that get Marion in? Just wondering...
