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2019 Basketball Hall of Fame Finalists

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Roy H.:
There are 13 finalists, including seven former NBA players.  Those players:

1.  Chris Webber (5x All-NBA, 5x All-Star, Rookie of Year)
2.  Ben Wallace (4x DPOY, 5x All-NBA, 4x All-Star, 6x All-Defense, 2x NBA champion)
3.  Sidney Moncrief (2x DPOY, 5x All-NBA, 5x All-Star, 5x All-Defense)
4.  Marques Johnson (3x All-NBA, 5x All-Star)
5.  Bobby Jones (1x All-NBA, 5x All-Star, 11x All-Defense, 1x NBA champion)
6.  Jack Sikma (7x All-Star, 1x All-Defense, 1x NBA champion)
7.  Paul Westphal (4x All-NBA, 5x All-Star, 1x NBA champion)

I find the list really interesting, because it's like a referendum on the "very good but not necessarily an all-time great" debate.  None of these guys were necessarily a superstar, but they were all really good players who were recognized as all-stars or All-Defense multiple times.  I think using the "comparison to guys already in the HOF" criteria, strong arguments can be made for all seven.

My personal binkie on the list is Sidney Moncrief.  He's really underrated by the average fan.  And of course there's Paul Westphal, the subject of one of Red's poorer trades.

Between Moncrief, Johnson and Sikma, it could be the Bucks year.

Who:
Marques Johnson was awesome. He was every bit as good as Dr J in the late 70s early 80s. Less flair and style, more mechanical but just as effective. One of the top defenders in the league. A way above average rebounder. Lethal interior game. Good jump-shot. Good passer.

Top 5 player in the league at that time.

Shame he derailed his career with drugs.

Donoghus:
Give me Moncrief & Wallace.

Moranis:

--- Quote from: Who on February 16, 2019, 02:03:05 PM ---Marques Johnson was awesome. He was every bit as good as Dr J in the late 70s early 80s. Less flair and style, more mechanical but just as effective. One of the top defenders in the league. A way above average rebounder. Lethal interior game. Good jump-shot. Good passer.

Top 5 player in the league at that time.

Shame he derailed his career with drugs.

--- End quote ---
He was injured also

That said, he played 691 games.  He was 1st Team All NBA 1 time and on the 2nd Team twice.  One year he finished 6th in MVP voting and another year at 10th (he had a few other years where he got a vote or two). He was a good but not great defender.  Solid all around career, but not a HOFer. 

Johnson is very similar to Webber, except Webber actually had a more full career, which makes him a lot more likely to get in.  Webber, for example had 5 top 10 MVP finshes, including 4th one year.  Webber had one 1st Team All NBA, three 2nd Teams, and one 3rd Team.  They were both all stars 5 times.  But Webber played 831 games and 15 seasons (to Johnson's 691 games in 11 seasons).  Webber had 80 playoff games to Johnson's 54. 

In other words, if I had to pick one of those guys, I'd pick the one that played longer and has similar awards, stats, measurables, etc. 

As for the grouping of players, Ben Wallace is the only guy I'd vote in.  He was the best player on a title team (or at least the most important player on that team).  He was a truly dominant defensive player and a truly dominant rebounder.  Best in the world at those things for 5 years or so.  No one else eligible can say that about anything, let alone, two highly important basketball skills. 

nickagneta:
Not sure any deserve the Hall so if one goes in maybe they all deserve to go in eventually.

I think Webber gets a bad rap of course he didn't help himself with a famous time out call and taking money as a college player getting Michigan's Final Four appearances vacated.

But...

Member and best player of the Fab Five
6 20/10 seasons.
2 more seasons of 20+/9.7+
11 years scoring 20 or more points.
Excellent passer.
Good to very defender.


Webber's first ten years were Hall worthy. The rest if his career not so much.

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