Who has the best chance of making it into the NBA HOF...
***
Daffy
I'm thinking Shaq and Duncan will be very high on the all-time when they're done...like Spear said. Possibly Iverson, James and Bryant...even though they're ball hogs...and I love when they miss the playoffs...lol.
I would think that all of these players will be 1st ballot HOFers. But in terms of cracking the Top-3 All-Time at their respective positions, Duncan yes, Shaq likely/maybe, Iverson no, James too early but likely, and Bryant likely/maybe.
Those who'll surely make it if their careers stopped today are...
Kobe Bryant - I think that Bryant would make it today, because he has 3 rings, he's still only JUST 27, and he's been a prolific scorer for quite some time. If his career would end today, it would be viewed as tragic (and people would forget about his dark past... at least that's my belief). LeBron may be viewed as the soon-to-be greatest player in the present NBA, but Bryant is awesome at both ends of the court (when he chooses to be). LeBron's numbers look better with his being 7-years younger than Bryant, but to me, Bryant is better (and I have this feeling that Bryant will have had a greater career than LeBron... just a hunch).
Tim Duncan - Also owns 3 Championship rings, 2 MVP's, 3 Finals MVP's, has been on the NBA 1st Team all 8-years he's been in the league, as well as being voted on the 1st (6) and 2nd (2) Team All-Defensive squads each year!!! I have no problem bumping him up to my 1st All-Time great team as I'm writing this (or at the most, just after another couple of years I suppose).
Allen Iverson - The best of the Georgetown Hoyas I suppose, but you know what, he would make it to the NBA HOF if his career were to end today (based primarily for being a HUGE name and for his prolific scoring), but he'll never be amongst the elite of the elite to have played the game. Why? Far too much "World B. Free" in this man to be considered a real team player. He's exciting, probably just as exciting as Pete Maravich back in the day or a Tiny Archibald, but he's a numbers guy 1st, team player 2nd.
IF Iverson would initiate his teams offense better (it's not too late for him to change his ways... although I don't believe he ever will), and get all the players around him more touches, he'd win a helluva lot more games. Iverson is a very good defensive player, he's been named to the 1st (3) and 2nd (3) All-NBA teams so far in his career. He's led the NBA in scoring 4 times thus far. He carried that 76ers team to the NBA Finals back in '01. He could still be a much better player though...
Shaquille O'Neil - Shaq Diesel probably was a sure thing straight out of LSU. But he made good on his promise (for the most part). While his trophy-case is full, I would have expected SO MUCH more than whatever he did rake-in. I think many people did as well. Oddly enough, Shaq has never been named to the All-NBA 1st Defensive team in his career (although he made 2nd team honors 3 times). Only once named the NBA's regular season MVP, but DID win 3 Finals MVP's.
***
Those who're still a few good years away from making it are...
Ray Allen - A fine actor, and a great baller. Probably has the sweatest long-range shot in the game (slightly better than Peja and Redd). His scoring averages have jumped in the past couple of years, as has his overall production. He's become a leader (not a perfect one though), and he's distancing himself from just being another profilic scoring shooting guard. If there's one caveat to his game, it's that he doesn't drive-to-the hole like he should. He's a great leaper, and he should use that tool more often.
Vince Carter - I was going to throw Carter on another list I made, of players who've already blown their opportunity at the hall. But, he's still only 29 and there's still some hope with him. Personally, I REALLY dislike Carter. When I like a player, I never turn my back on him. Carter? He's the exception. But, regardless of my likes and dislikes, he's an amazing talent, and probably the games most impressive aerial artist. He can do everything, although he doesn't always do everything. He doesn't always seem to love basketball. For his sake, I'm glad that he's starting to get going again in New Jersey. He can still be a Top-5 player if he wants it bad enough (IF).
Kevin Garnett - Let's face it, he's a lock for the HOF. And if he were surrounded with a more efficient team, that can play together for a long-time, he'd be as good (or better) than Duncan. Duncan may be more fundamentally sound than literally everyone in the game, but Garnett is just as consistent, works just as hard (if not... maybe harder), is more fierce, and is more creative. IMHO, if we switched teams for Duncan and Garnett (back in '97), I'd think that Garnett would also have 3 rings by this time.
Jason Kidd - I don't like Kidd. Never did, and likely never will. I used to dislike it when his kid was in the front row at the games, making it a side-show. I didn't like Kidd with that whole Toni Braxton fiasco back in his days with Dallas, where he and Mashburn AND Jimmy Jackson all disliked each other. I didn't like the way he left Phoenix, although that wasn't totally his fault (domestic abuse charges reported by the media). And I didn't like his involvement with getting Byron Scott the boot, and playing innocent after-the-fact. I don't like Kidd's shooting, it's atrocious. I wish he'd score more than he has. But... he's awesome. He's a great distributor, probably the best since court vision since Magic. He's a Fat Lever (esque) triple-double waiting to happen. He plays strong defense, and he plays hard all the time. He was probably the best all-around player in the NBA from '02 to early '04, but his shooting sucks (and will continue to suck until the day he's done).
Tracy McGrady - He could soon join my list of players who've suffered too many injuries, therefore couldn't play a full career. But, he's still young, and he could bounce back to greater health. McGrady, like LeBron, Kobe, Carter, Pierce, is absolutely dominant whenever he wants to be. He can play very good defense (underrated in that regard), and like Kobe, when he chooses to do so (can't say that Carter, Pierce, and LeBron are good defensively).
Dirk Nowitzky - Some say he's Larry Bird, and I can see what they're talking about. He rebounds well enough, but he can't play good defense. He's the best shooting big-man, probably to ever play the game (although Arvydas Sabonis pre-knee injuries, might have challenged him for that honor... with possibly Toni Kukoc). I'd say it's Peja, but he's 2-inches shorter. A decent passer as well, he still seems to be getting better. Very confident player these days. Who'd-a-known that getting Nash away from his best friend would turn them both into MVP-type players?
Jermaine O'Neil - The youngest player to have ever played in an NBA game. Lost at the end of the bench in Portland, grew-up quickly and matured greatly after joining the Indiana Pacers. Athletic, solid post-player, good jump-shot, great shot-blocker, always getting stronger defensively. Still getting better, and he's still ONLY 27 years old!!! It's a shame that more of what Bird and Walsh did to help O'Neil, couldn't have been duplicated with Ron Artest.
Paul Pierce - To me, he always seems to be regressing, but that's so not true. He's a great player, who's almost on the same level as Kobe/McGrady/LBJ in terms of "greatness". Gifted scorer, who in the right situation (where he'll always get the green-light to launch), will be able to produce like this for a few more years and get into the HOF. I sometimes think of him as being a part of that Glen Rice/Mitch Richmond category of shooting guards/small fowards, but he's better than I think.
Chris Webber - The media hates Chris Webber, and I love him. Next to O'Neil, Webber was the most sought-after draftee to come out of the '90s. Actually, he was pretty much just as hyped as O'Neil coming out of college. Being a part of the Fab-5 of Michigan will do that. Out of Garnett, Duncan, and Webber, I firmly believe that Webber posesses (or did) the most talent of the 3. Webber's arms stretch-out farther than any other player in the league. Webber out of college, was swift, and was like a shooting-guard who played the power-forward position. Webber had mad-hops. Webber, when up-to-the-task, can be awesome defensively, and yes, better than Duncan or Garnett. Webber is the best passing big-man in probably the history of the game. Those who come close were (former teammate) Vlade Divac, Arvydas Sabonis, Bill Walton, and I suppose to a lesser extent, Wes Unseld. Brad Miller is also looking pretty good right now as well.
Webber... however, hasn't fulfilled his potential. Webber SHOULD be the best PF in the game right now, and probably over the past several years. He came close a couple of years with the Kings. His athletic ability, tools, creativity were off the charts for someone at the power-forward position. For whatever reason, whether it's the media's constant cynicism, his immaturity at times (although there are FAR MORE knuckleheads in the NBA than he), his poor decisions (at critical moments... with the Wolverines, Don Nelson, or with drugs), his game never materialized the way it should have. I was really happy for him in Sacramento, because it revived his game, and the media's interest with him. He's still done enough to be a HOFer, and I hope for his sake, he's able to win a championship before all is said and done.
***
Those who're still way too young to get in, but are clearly on that path are...
Gilbert Arenas - Once he decides to include his teammates more, and quit trying to prove that he can score 100 points-a-night (and match that intensity on defense), he'll become a borderline superstar. The man is electric, and can score like Iverson.
Chris Bosh - I can't believe the '03 NBA Draft.
All the great players who've already produced, when most of them are barely 20-years old. He's already... already... ALREADY getting 22 points/10 rebounds per game. He's improving every game, better passing, better defense, better shot-blocking, better leadership. The Raptors record may suck, but they're improving. And he looks like a cornerstone piece that most teams would dream for. I've read that scouts had compared him to Tim Duncan at one time, and with a few more pounds added to his frame, they're very accurate in their assessment. This man is a slippery power-forward, who doesn't take a night off. Like Duncan, he's very well grounded as a human being (GM and coach's wet-dream).
Dwight Howard - Wow, what talent!!! Like Bosh and Stoudemire, will be awesome. If Howard has one edge (already evident) over Stoudemire and Bosh, it's his defense. He's already great on defense and will soon become a monster on defense. Once Ben Wallace, Duncan, and Garnett are done winning their defensive accolades, look for Howard to being the #1 guy soon after.
Sidenote - If ever there was a great big-man coach, it would be Clifford Ray. He bleeds basketball and teaching. It was a shame that the Orlando Magic let him go recently (and mind-boggling as to why
).
Lebron James - Awesome numbers. He's as close to a triple-double as you're going to see (like Kidd, Magic, Bird, and especially The Big "O"). He JUST turned 21, and his body is a freak-of-nature. He's so thick, heavy, and toned, yet he's swift, and strong to the hoop. His court awarness is right-at-the-top of the game, with about 3-5 other players. If there's one thing that doesn't impress me about James, it's his defense. He's trying harder, I see that... but it still sucks. Sure, he gets lots of steals, but that's
gambling more than anything (the right site to come to mention this
).
Sidenote - I used to wonder why so many people had mentioned Joe Dumars as being a great defensive player. I couldn't see it, because he barely snagged any rebounds, and he could barely register a steal-per-game. But I was oh-so-wrong. He never gambled, and stuck with his man. Rather than anticipate everything, he made the safe play and played his man hard. I think Joe Dumars' game is carrying-over well to his General Manager duties and the way he carries himself at all times. He commands respect without the need or desire to hog the spotlight.
Richard Jefferson - Underrated defensive player. Does everything well. Reminds me of a Larry Nance. Hopefully, he'll not get hurt and have a full career.
Tony Parker - I'm getting sick of having to see he and his girlfriend ALL-THE-TIME. Annoying. Reminds me of Jason Kidd a few years ago (or Doug Christie). He's made some huge strides this year, and has surprised me completely. I thought his game had pretty much levelled-off a couple of years ago, but my mistake. He's still only 23-years old, and he has gained so much wealthy knowledge up to this point. When Duncan eventually begins to regress in production (not for a long-time mind you), I think that Parker will emerge more than what we see today. A fine point guard, but becoming more of a scorer than an assist-man (unlike Steve Nash).
Sidenote - Parker was born in Bruges, Belgium. I've been to many countries and cities so far in my life, and I think that must be one of the most beautiful/rich places I've yet to see. Underrated city... VERY European.
Jason Richardson - While he may appear to be just another 20-point-per game shooting guard (like Richmond, Rice, ect...), he's not. He has Isaiah Rideresque talents, explosive, great hops, strong on the ball, and frankly, is the best player on that Warriors team (by a long-shot... with the possibility of Ike Diogu emerging). I feel he'll be a great player, despite not doing enough yet to emerge himself as being an All-Star. A little more time...
Corey Maggette - When making this list, I wanted to cut-off anyone who was not born in the '80s. Unfortunately, I would certainly view Maggette as still being young and new to the NBA (even if he's been in the league for a good number of years). Well he's only 26, and his best years are soon coming (overlooking his recent injury woes). He's another player who plays the whole court the way it should be played, and like Jason Richardson, like Kobe Bryant, he's loaded with athletic ability, and a sound game. He may have left Duke prematurely, but he's really come into his own over the past couple of years. Once he gets back in uniform, the Clippers should pick-up where they left off (before their recent slump that coincided with his being out of the line-up).
Yao Ming - Just ask
Spearmaster ! He'll certainly need to produce more than his comfortable 18 points/8 rebounds per-game pace, in order to win over NBA fans. When and IF he figures these things out, he should be great.
Amare Stoudemire - It's hard to imagine that he's still only 23 (and just turned 23 last November). If he gets over recent knee-operation, and from what I hear, it's looking very promising thus far, he should continue to scale-the-ladder of greatness. If you remember the end of last year, it appeared that it was only a matter of time before Stoudemire would supplant Duncan or Garnett as the best power-forward in the NBA. What a force...
Dwayne Wade - I'll say this, Dwayne Wade right now, and probably in the eyes of others, is better than LeBron James. LeBron just turned 21 last month, while Wade will be 24 this time next week. So, LeBron has the size (muscle) and youth, to eventually beat Wade as to who's the best of the '03 Draft. While the media probably favors James, Wade plays defense, and is getting much better at it by the game. James is also improving in that facet (great gambler... lots of steals), but is nowhere nearly as good as Wade in that regard. James may be slightly better offensively at this point, but Wade remember, plays on a team loaded with players who demand the ball. As it stands, Wade is slightly better at this point in time.
***
Those whom the media expect to get in, but ultimately won't are...
Carmelo Anthony - Perhaps I'm making a HUGE mistake right here, but intuition tells me that the Anthony story will end on a sad note. He's made great strides this year, and is starting to score like a superstar, but I'm not totally convinced. There's always something crazy that's happening to him. Reminds me of a smaller version of Derrick Coleman with hair extensions. Trouble waiting to happen... and really talented.
Mike Bibby - While I would think that Bibby is one of the best clutch players in the game today, he's not a great distributor, and is surprisingly slow. His defense is weak. If he was going to reach another level of stardom, it probably would have happened already. He's still only 27-years old, and he's been shooting a hot-ball over the past couple of weeks, but he's not assertive enough to get over the hump.
Eddy Curry - Hmmm, I would have thought it would have been Eddy Curry who would one day be the next Shaq
. Hence his nickname, "Baby Shaq". A big man, with soft hands and great agility, is getting too big in proportion. He probably has heart-attack scares because of his weak-conditioning program. And something I'll never get about this guy, how come he's such a shitty rebounder? He's huge, and he can barely get 6 rebounds a game. He's got long arms, and we already know he big enough to clog-up the lane, what's the problem? He's still very young, and to me, he's already a has-been, or a never-was (or will-be).
Michael Finley - It's hard not to like Finley. He's a fine shooting guard, and a class act. He's been a consistent borderline star for a good number of years. But he's not HOF material. Now with his going to the Spurs, he'll probably get his championship (but does anyone remember Rice or Richmond or Rider winning theirs with the Bulls?), but his scoring will plumet, and his days of scoring over 15 point per game will be a thing of the past.
Pau Gasol - He's having a great year (for him at least) this year, and many people are starting to take notice. Having said that, I don't see him becoming a bona-fide star who'll EVER make the HOF. He's still young, and he'll still improve (that much I do expect), but not enough to distinguish himself from the other greats in the game.
Ben Gordon - How can one not love his instant offense off the bench? I thought for sure, being moved into the starting rotation (instead of coming off the bench), he'd score 22-25 points per game.
Didn't happen. He's Ricky Pierce, Eddie Johnson, or a Vinnie Johnson at the most. Electifying scorer, but in reduced minutes. Oh well, maybe he'll get in the HOF (despite what I say) for being the best 6th-man ever!!! Hey, Cooperstown welcomes DH's and relievers now... why not?
Andrei Kirilenko - I was going to add him to my players who were haunted and plagued by too many injuries list, but he might overcome his current ailments. This guy does everything. He will probably never score more than 18-20 points per-game, but he does EVERYTHING. Major blocks, rebounds, steals, defensive plays, maximizing all of his various talents. A coaches dream. But, I feel his play will end with a huge melt-down. He reminds me of a Darin Erstad who can hit; a man who throws his body around too much.
Rashard Lewis - Great long-distance shooter, and borderline star/All-Star. Will probably get 20 points per-game in Seattle for the next several years, provided he plays there for the remainder of his current contract. But, it probably won't matter. He's not a great defensive player (not bad, but not very good), he's a great shooter from long-range, but in tight he's far from good. He's a soft player who doesn't do enough to stand-out.
Kenyon Martin - I think he's one of the most overrated players in all of sports. He calls out Keith Van Horn for his weak defense, yet "soft" Keith Van Horn had out-rebounded him that year in the regular season AND in the playoffs AND KVH is a small forward, whereas Martin IS the teams power forward!
He thinks of himself as the ultimate team-player, but he's a cancer. Works hard? Sometimes. Great defense? Good, sometimes. But from the way he howls and pumps-his-chest after a block, you'd think he was the best in the game. To which, he's not. He's a dog, and he's getting a MAX-contract. Ouch!!!
Darius Miles - Woof, woof, woof!!! 'Nuff said.
Dikembe Mutombo: Should have scored MUCH more than he did. Great shot-blocker, great rebounder, and a very intelligent person (not so much at the intricacies of the game though). A model citizen. But not a HOFer.
Lamar Odom - I suppose if he and Kobe win a championship, that could all change. Will that happen anytime soon? Nope. Odom does many things well, and is quite a talent. I wish he'd be more assertive though. He has the talent and size to be a HOFer, I just don't see it ever happening.
Zach Randolph - Like Truck Robinson (who no one will remember), 20 and 10 and forget about it. Big money, big numbers, big nothing.
Michael Redd - A great shooter, who gets to take lots of shots, and another model-squeeky-clean citizens. He can certainly score, and I may be wrong here, but I don't see a HOFer (and barely an All-Star) when I watch Michael Redd play.
Peja Stojakovic - I had him on par with big Dirk up until last year. Dirk stepped-up his game a couple of notches, DESPITE losing his close-friend and set-up man. Stojakovic, while once being a friend with Webber, wanted him to get out of town. Many assumed that it would be good for Stojakovic, and who would be able to break-out and reach another level... maybe superstardom. Hmmm, guess he needed the double-teams on Webber, not to mention Webber's outlet passes (or passing out of the double-team), more than Dirk need Nash.
Jason Williams - Pistol Pete Maravich Part II, without the prolific scoring. Both exciting players, great ball-handlers, and both pathetically bad defenders. While Maravich was a brilliant scorer (if anything), Williams may have made his teams slightly better (although a team will never win with Williams as the starting point-guard).
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Those who were on the path, but had too many injuries are...
Penny Hardaway - His ego/sensitive-side made it seem as though he was faking his injuries all the time. While everyone has already attacked him already, I lament over his lost greatness. He was on the path to greatness. I'd say that around '96, before the injuries really set-in, I thought that Hardaway was going to be the player who'd eventually replace Jordan (when that time would come). It wasn't. How quickly people forget.
Grant Hill - Still playing, and still battling through injuries and operations. Great all-around player, and with Hardaway, was going to be a torch carrier to the next generation of superstars. Class act, and great role-model.
Antonio McDyess - A thoroughbred when he first came into the league. He had (still has) a Bill Russell-type of figure, and was such an athlete. Again, a shame about all the operations he's had. His explosiveness is almost all gone (I see him sporadically making nice plays), and he had so much of it. While I think that his last season without pre-major injuries (the '01 season) was probably his best, we'll never know if he was ever going to take it to the next level.
***
Those who were destined to be there, but have blown too many opportunities are...
Shareef Abdur-Rahim - Great scorer, good rebounder, good post-moves, able defender, and honest citizen. And he's probably played on the worst teams in the history of the NBA. I'm not sure if it's his fault or not, but he couldn't be unluckier in terms of who he's played with. His numbers are HOF-worthy, but the numbers don't tell the whole story. Another player who's still only 28-years old despite already playing 10-years in the league!
Ron Artest - I'm sad to say, because I'm a huge "Ron-Ron" fan, but he's really done it this time. When you've got the backing of Walsh, Bird, and Carlisle, and the support of your teammates, AND the backing of an entire city, and then after they stick with you through all of that (despite it being Reggie Miller's final year and last chance to win-it-all... and probably GREATEST chance), and then... after a quarter of the season, to say that you want out? You make me look like an idiot for being a fan of yours.
I don't think there's a better basketball city in all of the NBA than in Indiana. Maybe I'm wrong, but I can't think of a better place to play. It's a shame that Artest will waste 2-years figuring his shit-out (maybe), because during that time, and from the way he was playing at the beginning of last year, he was in MVP form. Yes, look up his stats for the '04-05 season to know what I'm talking about (and the Pacers were in 1st place when the debacle in Detroit became a media frenzy). He is super-strong, a mind-boggling defender, a confident scorer who was getting so much better, and an ultimate-team-player WHEN he's on the court. He's a winner on the court, and (sorry) nothing-of-the-sort off of it.
Baron Davis - A running-back playing the wrong sport if you ask me. Strong, interesting, and a very-poor decision maker with the ball. He wants the ball in his hands too much, and the launches premature 3's like they're going out-of-style. I'd be pissed-off too, if I were his teammate. At least A.I. busts his rump on D.
Robert Horry - Big Shot Rob is a dog in the regular season. Clutch in the playoffs in big games will help your HOF credentials, sitting on the pine contemplating retirement for the past 8-years won't. I don't know how he does it.
Juwon Howard - A one time All-Star, has a pretty good post-game, is a good passer, and is a so-so rebounder. When his career stats are left to be tabulated after he retires (when he retires...), his numbers will look impressive. He's kind of like an Armon Gilliam who played for a long-time. To think he once had a 100 Million dollar contract. And Pat Riley wanted him THAT much.
Jim Jackson - Those who saw him in his college days, will say that he was the best player they've ever seen. He was a great talent, who once looked great back in the '94-95 season with the Mavericks. Had Kidd, Mashburn, and he tried to sort-out their differences, that team could have been great. And Jackson could have stayed in one place and become the great player that he was supposed to be.
Antawn Jamison - Great mid-range scorer. Like the other Antoine, somehow gets about 9-10 rebounds per game, although I'm not sure how they do it. A shorter version of Elvin Hayes without being as prolific of a scorer. Too much of a tweener. I'll give him this much though, he can certainly score.
Stephon Marbury - I don't get Marbury. He has all the talents a successful point-guard needs... in fact, he's the blueprint of what a point-guard should look like (without the long-gangsta face). He shoot, and probably is a much better shooter than Iverson. He's a great ball-handler, probably in the top 3% in the entire league... and again, better than Iverson in that regard. He's strong on the ball and rarely get hurt. Unlike Iverson. He's a better passer than Iverson (although neither is great). He's also younger than Iverson, and once was deemed to eventually being better than Iverson. Both players came out of the VERY deep '96 NBA draft.
Somehow though, despite Marbury having superior shooting %'s, despite owning a superior career assist-per-game figure, and despite being more well-built, he's inferior to Iverson by a mile. Amazingly, Marbury is somehow STILL only 28-years old, and recently it seems as though Larry Brown is getting through to him. Maybe, it's not-too-late to turn his career in the right direction. Perhaps he'll finally emerge as a winner, but based on history, I don't see that happening (hope I'm wrong).
Jalen Rose - Great college player, estranged son of Jimmy King, this former member of the Fab-5 of Michigan has been up-and-down so many times. I don't think Rose is a bad guy, I think he's probably just too political behind the scenes. That in itself has hurt him. Rose can do a little of everything, and as I've heard many times, he could be the games most ideal 6th-man (like he was with the Pacers when Bird was coaching them). He seems lost right now in Toronto.
Latrell Sprewell - Lots of people dislike Latrell, and lots of people glorify Latrell. At Sprewell's best, he was a menace on defense, a great scorer, and a dispite what most perceive to be not true, he's a coach's dream. Ignore the choking incident, and all of his coaches praise his efforts. Sprewell is a winner... and a loser. Forget about the choking incident, and think about how he shot himself in the foot last season with that "Got to feed the family..." crap. I know he didn't mean it, but he said it. He could be making more money than he's worth, and be that much closer to 20,000 career points. Sprewell was a great player in his prime, and his prime has passed him (although he can still be effective witht the right team).
Keith Van Horn - Probably too many expectations put-on the wrong person. Fine player who'll never satisfy anyone. Never should have been drafted 2nd overall, although aside from Duncan, that wasn't a great draft. Oddly enough, he DID average 21.9 points/8.5 boards/1.3 blocks per-game for the '99 season.
Antoine Walker - Employee #8 makes baskets, and will always try to make baskets, and won't play defense. Great numbers, really great numbers, but too much all-or-nothing mentality on offense. It's a shame he fell in love with his so-so 3-point shot. He could have been a much more well-rounded player like his numbers suggest. As said for Marbury, could be said for Walker, by which that numbers never tell the whole story.
***
Those who have a very far shot at making it, because they're getting on in years, but playing above their head for a few more years might be enough to get them in are...
Chauncey Billups - Billups is presently on course to winning the '06 NBA MVP. He was once a throw-away player. Amazing turnaround. Although very good/great over the past couple of years, he's already 29-years old and he needs to continue at his current pace for at least another 5-6 more seasons. He may need less if he keeps winning rings.
Manu Ginobili - Not a big-time scorer, though a very dynamic player. Started late (25-years old), and is already 28-years old. Like Billups, will have to be HUGE in the playoffs while winning championships for him to have any hopes of making it into the HOF. He'll also need to score more than 16 points per-game as well.
Richard Hamilton - Soon-to-be 28 years of age, I suppose his lifetime scoring average is decent enough thus far. If he were to continue doing, as he's doing this year, scoring well-over 20 points per-game while being the featured scorer on a the best team in the NBA, while winning for a good number of years, he could sneak in there eventually. Not what I'd call a superstar, but is very comfortable in his role right now (which is a star player).
Shawn Marion - His numbers are very good, with averages of 19 pts/11 rb/2 blks per game. He could be on my list of players who need a few more years to get there, but I think he has to play above his head for a few years to get there.
Steve Nash - Really didn't get going until he was about 27-years old. An MVP will certainly help, as will making bad teams better. He's a cerebral and eccentric person (not because of his hair, but his interests off the court), and his game reflects some of that creativity as well as his soccer mentality. He need to keep producing like this for a few more years though, or else he's not much more than a Mark Price/Kevin Johnson.
Ben Wallace - Unless people start appreciating Dennis Rodman a little more, Wallace may never be a HOFer. His offense blows, but his defense is superb. Great help-defender, and works oh-so-well with Rasheed and Tayshaun (and Cliff Robinson before them). A man who makes the most of his talents. Keeps his game simple, and works his-ass-off. He's already past 30-years old, and he'll have to keep playing like this for at least another 4-5 years. Not an easy thing to do.
Rasheed Wallace - It's funny to hear, but Duncan, David Robinson, Kevin Garnett, Chris Webber, even Shaq at times, have hinted/suggested/claimed that Wallace is the best defender amongst forwards. He's strong, tall, and long. I can go on forever about Sheed's talents... He may very well be the best player in the low-block. He's impossible to stop. If he were to do that each and every game, I guarantee that he'd score anywhere from 24-28 points per game. The thing with Rasheed, is that he can do anything he wants to against any player (although not always with Shaq... pretty tough to move the big guy around unless you have Charles Barkley and Mark Jackson's ass). As I said with Antoine Walker, about how his numbers don't necessarily tell the whole story about his game (that his game isn't very good despite awesome numbers), well, the same can be said about Wallace although at the other end of the spectrum. He's a great player who does everything well, but his numbers at the end of the day don't capture that.
Steed
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