2026 HOF class Doc Rivers and Amare Stoudemire

[aefgogreen]

I'm sure people have thoughts...I've always been a Doc supporter, but I feel like he's fallen short.  His career reminds me of Dwight Howard where I like him a little less with each year passing...Stoudemire probably deserves it.  I do think the bar is lower these days.

[Donoghus]

Basketball HOF has always seemed to be more of a Hall of Very Good than a Hall of Fame. 

Saw reports that Candace Parker & Elena Delle Donne also got in. Parker was a no brainer.

[Roy H.]

Key 2026 Finalists

Players: Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne, Blake Griffin, Amar'e Stoudemire, Kevin Johnson, Buck Williams, Chamique Holdsclaw, Jennifer Azzi, Molly Bolin-Kazmer.
Coaches/Contributors: Doc Rivers, Mark Few, Kelvin Sampson, Mike D'Antoni, Joey Crawford (Referee), Gary McKnight, Dick Motta.
Teams/Other: 1996 U.S. Olympic Women's Team

It's interesting that the women's class is deeper than the men's.  The only male player I'd vote for is Griffin.

I wouldn't vote Doc in purely as a coach.  As a contributor, I don't know.  He was a solid player, a solid coach, a mediocre executive and a very good announcer.  He probably still wouldn't get my vote.

[Donoghus]

Apparently, Dick Motta is still alive.  94 years old.

[slamtheking]

Key 2026 Finalists

Players: Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne, Blake Griffin, Amar'e Stoudemire, Kevin Johnson, Buck Williams, Chamique Holdsclaw, Jennifer Azzi, Molly Bolin-Kazmer.
Coaches/Contributors: Doc Rivers, Mark Few, Kelvin Sampson, Mike D'Antoni, Joey Crawford (Referee), Gary McKnight, Dick Motta.
Teams/Other: 1996 U.S. Olympic Women's Team

It's interesting that the women's class is deeper than the men's.  The only male player I'd vote for is Griffin.

I wouldn't vote Doc in purely as a coach.  As a contributor, I don't know.  He was a solid player, a solid coach, a mediocre executive and a very good announcer.  He probably still wouldn't get my vote.

not sure if there's quotas for men and women, but I agree I'd see Blake as the only real choice from the men's side where I think Azzi and Holdsclaw would both be more deserving than Blake. 

I don't see Doc as a good candidate.  can't believe Crawford even gets mentioned.  one of the worst refs ever

[Roy H.]

Key 2026 Finalists

Players: Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne, Blake Griffin, Amar'e Stoudemire, Kevin Johnson, Buck Williams, Chamique Holdsclaw, Jennifer Azzi, Molly Bolin-Kazmer.
Coaches/Contributors: Doc Rivers, Mark Few, Kelvin Sampson, Mike D'Antoni, Joey Crawford (Referee), Gary McKnight, Dick Motta.
Teams/Other: 1996 U.S. Olympic Women's Team

It's interesting that the women's class is deeper than the men's.  The only male player I'd vote for is Griffin.

I wouldn't vote Doc in purely as a coach.  As a contributor, I don't know.  He was a solid player, a solid coach, a mediocre executive and a very good announcer.  He probably still wouldn't get my vote.

not sure if there's quotas for men and women, but I agree I'd see Blake as the only real choice from the men's side where I think Azzi and Holdsclaw would both be more deserving than Blake. 

I don't see Doc as a good candidate.  can't believe Crawford even gets mentioned.  one of the worst refs ever

Candace Parker has got to be a lock, too, right?  Delle Donne seems deserving, too, although I didn't really watch her play.

[SparzWizard]

Key 2026 Finalists

Players: Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne, Blake Griffin, Amar'e Stoudemire, Kevin Johnson, Buck Williams, Chamique Holdsclaw, Jennifer Azzi, Molly Bolin-Kazmer.
Coaches/Contributors: Doc Rivers, Mark Few, Kelvin Sampson, Mike D'Antoni, Joey Crawford (Referee), Gary McKnight, Dick Motta.
Teams/Other: 1996 U.S. Olympic Women's Team

It's interesting that the women's class is deeper than the men's.  The only male player I'd vote for is Griffin.

I wouldn't vote Doc in purely as a coach.  As a contributor, I don't know.  He was a solid player, a solid coach, a mediocre executive and a very good announcer.  He probably still wouldn't get my vote.

not sure if there's quotas for men and women, but I agree I'd see Blake as the only real choice from the men's side where I think Azzi and Holdsclaw would both be more deserving than Blake. 

I don't see Doc as a good candidate. can't believe Crawford even gets mentioned.  one of the worst refs ever

Gross. He, the other Crawford, and Scott Foster were the reason why the Celtics lost Game 7 in 2010

[Kernewek]

I'd say the argument is probably more persuasive for Doc than Amar'e, but that's without thinking too deeply about it. He was on some good Suns teams, one good Knicks team, and then his knees went.

[Donoghus]

Key 2026 Finalists

Players: Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne, Blake Griffin, Amar'e Stoudemire, Kevin Johnson, Buck Williams, Chamique Holdsclaw, Jennifer Azzi, Molly Bolin-Kazmer.
Coaches/Contributors: Doc Rivers, Mark Few, Kelvin Sampson, Mike D'Antoni, Joey Crawford (Referee), Gary McKnight, Dick Motta.
Teams/Other: 1996 U.S. Olympic Women's Team

It's interesting that the women's class is deeper than the men's.  The only male player I'd vote for is Griffin.

I wouldn't vote Doc in purely as a coach.  As a contributor, I don't know.  He was a solid player, a solid coach, a mediocre executive and a very good announcer.  He probably still wouldn't get my vote.

not sure if there's quotas for men and women, but I agree I'd see Blake as the only real choice from the men's side where I think Azzi and Holdsclaw would both be more deserving than Blake. 

I don't see Doc as a good candidate.  can't believe Crawford even gets mentioned.  one of the worst refs ever

Candace Parker has got to be a lock, too, right?  Delle Donne seems deserving, too, although I didn't really watch her play.

I looked at Delle Donne. Shorter career (10 seasons) High peak, though.  A couple of MVPs.  Won a title.  5 All-WNBA teams.  Scoring champ.  Rookie of the Year. 

[Who]

Key 2026 Finalists

Players: Candace Parker, Elena Delle Donne, Blake Griffin, Amar'e Stoudemire, Kevin Johnson, Buck Williams, Chamique Holdsclaw, Jennifer Azzi, Molly Bolin-Kazmer.
Coaches/Contributors: Doc Rivers, Mark Few, Kelvin Sampson, Mike D'Antoni, Joey Crawford (Referee), Gary McKnight, Dick Motta.
Teams/Other: 1996 U.S. Olympic Women's Team

It's interesting that the women's class is deeper than the men's.  The only male player I'd vote for is Griffin.

I wouldn't vote Doc in purely as a coach.  As a contributor, I don't know.  He was a solid player, a solid coach, a mediocre executive and a very good announcer.  He probably still wouldn't get my vote.

not sure if there's quotas for men and women, but I agree I'd see Blake as the only real choice from the men's side where I think Azzi and Holdsclaw would both be more deserving than Blake. 

I don't see Doc as a good candidate.  can't believe Crawford even gets mentioned.  one of the worst refs ever

Kevin Johnson > Blake Griffin or Amare Stoudemire

KJ led his team to the Conference Finals twice when he was the best player on his team. He made the Finals as the 2nd best player next to Barkley.

Neither B Griffin or Amare ever got past the 1st round as the best player on their teams. B Griffin had CP3 as a teammate yet never made the Conference Finals. Amare had Nash as a teammate and only made the Conference Finals twice as the 2nd best player on the team.

[nickagneta]

Okay all you old timers here. Remember how so many didn't just disparage Doc during his time here, but went out of their way to seriously hate on him and his coaching style, etc ?

Man, that guy is now going too be a Hall of Famer, in very large part, because of what he did here in Boston.

[Celtics4ever]

The only male player I'd vote for is Griffin.

I feel 100% the same.

Kevin Johnson > Blake Griffin

I disagree with this statement. 

Blake Griffin
NBA
6? NBA All-Star (2011?2015, 2019)
3? All-NBA Second Team (2012?2014)
2? All-NBA Third Team (2015, 2019)
NBA Rookie of the Year (2011)
NBA All-Rookie First Team (2011)
NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion (2011)
College
National college player of the year (2009)
Consensus first-team All-American (2009)
Pete Newell Big Man Award (2009)
NCAA rebounding leader (2009)
Big 12 Player of the Year (2009)
No. 23 honored by Oklahoma Sooners
Third-team Parade All-American (2007)
McDonald's All-American (2007)

STATS
Points   14,513 (19.0 ppg)
Rebounds   6,109 (8.0 rpg)
Assists   3,055 (4.0 apg)

Kevin Johnson
NBA
3? NBA All-Star (1990, 1991, 1994)
4? All-NBA Second Team (1989?1991, 1994)
All-NBA Third Team (1992)
NBA Most Improved Player (1989)
No. 7 retired by Phoenix Suns
College
2? First-team All-Pac-10 (1986, 1987)
No. 11 retired by California Golden Bears

STATS
Points   13,127 (17.9 ppg)
Assists   6,711 (9.1 apg)
Steals   1,082 (1.5 spg)

As for the playoffs, Barkley carried his butt.

[Donoghus]

As for the playoffs, Barkley carried his butt.

Think this part is a bit harsh. He helped lead the Suns to two conference finals before Barkley ever got there.

[Roy H.]

I'm not sure how much it matters to voters, but Johnson has some pretty troubling character concerns.  He wasn't convicted criminally, but there's a lot of smoke there.

Do voters care about that stuff?  It's hard to say.  But, if he doesn't end up making it, I'm not shedding any tears for him.

[Who]

As for the playoffs, Barkley carried his butt.

Think this part is a bit harsh. He helped lead the Suns to two conference finals before Barkley ever got there.

KJ struggled in 1993. He missed half the season with injury. Had not developed chemistry with Barkley yet. Struggled to find his offense next to Barkley in 1993 playoffs.

KJ played much better in 1994 and 1995 next to Barkley. They had figured out how to play together by then.

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Edit

I was looking at some notes I had written on KJ in the past. His 1993 playoff run was better than I remembered.

1993 WCR1 18ppg 10apg vs Lakers
1993 WCSF 20.8ppg 9apg vs Spurs (D-Rob)
1993 WCF 15.9ppg 7.0apg vs Sonics (Payton)
1993 Finals 17.2ppg 6.5apg vs Bulls (MJ, Pip)

KJ struggled against the Sonics trapping defense along with their two big defensive guards particularly Payton who was hounding him. He was inconsistent in the series but finished strong with 19, 8 and 2 steals per game over the final 3 games to seal the series.

In the Finals, KJ played like crap the first two games. Only 7.5ppg and 4apg on 29% shooting. Suns lost both games. The final four games he dominated with 22ppg 8apg on good shooting (46% FG%).