Been a while since I started one of these, so here's my next list of candidates: Adrian Dantley Two-time scoring champion, from 80-83 averaged 30.5ppg on 56.4% shooting. Went to the Finals with the Bad Boys in '88, losing to the Showtime Lakers. Arguably the greatest college basketball player in Notre Dame's history. 6-time NBA All-Star 2-time All-NBA Second Team 1977 Rookie of the Year Mark Jackson NBA's second-all-time assists leader. Went to the Finals in 2000, falling to the Lakers. Good college player, leading the Nation in assists in 85-86 for St. John's. Made the playoffs in 92-93 - with the Clippers. NBA assists leader in 96-97. 1-time NBA All-Star 1988 Rookie of the Year Kevin Johnson A dominant scoring PG when healthy, KJ was an absolute Rocket-killer. Had a four year run (88-92) in Phoenix when he averaged 21.2ppg, 11.1apg, .511 FG%. Made the Finals in '93, losing to Jordan's Bulls. I was more afraid of KJ than I was Chuckster when we played the Suns. 3-time NBA All-Star 4-time All-NBA Second Team 1-time All-NBA Third Team 1989 Most Improved Player Bernard King Dominant scorer with a career 22.5ppg scoring average at 51.8% shooting, King came back from a career-threatning knee injury to make the all-star team, despite greatly diminished athleticism. With 19,655 career points, King was one of the most explosive scorers of his era. 4-time NBA All-Star 2-time All-NBA First Team 1-time All-NBA Second Team 1-time All-NBA Third Team Mark Price Orchestrated one of the greatest offenses of the late-80's to early-90's, back when the Cavs were a team to be feared. Made the Eastern Conference Finals with Cleveland in '92, falling to the Bulls in six games. Price is without a doubt one of the greatest shooters of all time, holding the NBA record for highest career FT% (.904) with a .402 career 3P%. He also won the NBA Long Distance Shootout two times in a row. 4-time NBA All-Star 1-time All-NBA First Team 3-time All-NBA Third Team None of these players have rings, and none were really the best at their position during their careers. Should any or all of these guys make it to Springfield? Which ones?
I think KJ could be there, maybe Dantley but I don't know much bout him. IMO, history has not been kind to KJ. I think sometimes that people forget Phoenix was a good team before they got Barkley, and KJ was a big part of that...Injuries and a somewhat short career are what hurt Johnson the most.
If Price doesn't go, I'll have a fit. I'm not sure KJ would get in invite. Jackson probably goes because of his standing in all-time assists, I would hope that Price goes on the virtue of having the highest career FT% in history. Dantley and King were certainly great guys, but it's really tough to say that they stood out in history. I really liked both of them. AD would have a couple of rings if Isiah hadn't gotten him traded for his old buddy. Evan
King only. None of the rest, IMO. None of those guys have a super-outstanding resume that's enough to get them in by itself, but King is the name that sticks out as a guy that you would want to watch when he was playing. I can't say the same for the other three. I liked Dantley and all, but didn't he score tons, and tons, and tons of FT's? blech.
I think the Hall of Fame looks at both collegiate and professional careers so I would put Dantley in there
I should re-phrase though and say that I think a lot of those guys have a chance anyway since the NBA hall is the easiest of the 3 majors to make it in. No offense to Calvin Murphy, and I recognize his magnificent college career, but if he's in the Hall, I don't see how you keep out Dantley - or Johnson or Jackson for that matter.
If this was baseball, I actually think Jackson would get in based on his numbers. For those who remember, Dantley was a very good low post scorer for his size, for a few number of years. I think he deserves it more than King. King is in the same boat with Price and Johnson. Not enough time served.
