Allanon
10-31-2008, 06:15 PM
I'm not sure if this was discussed before but Ian Thomsen of SI said that he picked the Celtics and Spurs in the Finals.
He also said that it would feature 6 possible Hall of Famers. I thought that part was interesting. So readers wrote in and asked him to explain himself:
It appears he thinks Manu and Tony are locks for the Hall of Fame. What is also surprising is he feels Paul Pierce and Ray Allen will be HOF'ers which I don't think they're even close. Too bad he didn't spend much time explaining the PP and Ray Allen.
Also, Pop is a lock for the HOF so that'd be 7 with a possible Doc Rivers (if he keeps on winning rings) for 8...that'd be crazy.
Questions rescued from the spam
by Ian Thomsen
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/ian_thomsen/10/31/weekly.countdown/1.html
You don't need to "defend" your Finals team selections, but you do need to defend the comment that a Celtics-Spurs Finals would feature "three Hall of Fame players per team." Who are these players? Kevin Garnett, of course. Paul Pierce, borderline, but I'll accept that if he has six more years like this past one AND wins another title. Ray Allen? Seriously? With the Spurs, Tim Duncan is a no-brainer. But who else is a Hall of Famer besides their coach, Gregg Popovich? Manu Ginobili? Tony Parker? I know they have a lot of career left, but we have a seriously watered-down Hall of Fame if those two are HOFers in your view. Defend yourself.
-- Ryan, Carlsbad, Calif.
I don't know if I would put Tony Parker in the Hall of Fame category just yet. Even Manu Ginobili is still earning his credits, but I think he will eventually join Tim Duncan there.
-- Bruno Alatrista of Hartford, Conn.
THOMPSON:
Parker has already won three NBA championships and an award as NBA Finals MVP. He is 26, and at his current rate he'll finish with close to 20,000 points and more than 6,000 assists. His improvement as a shooter should enable him to be relevant as he ages.
Ginobili has won three NBA championships and led Argentina to an Olympic gold medal. He was a star in Europe for four years before entering the NBA at the late age of 25. I project both as Hall of Famers, absolutely.
I was expecting more people to question whether Pierce and Allen would be worthy. But I imagined that both would receive serious consideration based on their career stats at the time of retirement; the championship puts them over the top.
He also said that it would feature 6 possible Hall of Famers. I thought that part was interesting. So readers wrote in and asked him to explain himself:
It appears he thinks Manu and Tony are locks for the Hall of Fame. What is also surprising is he feels Paul Pierce and Ray Allen will be HOF'ers which I don't think they're even close. Too bad he didn't spend much time explaining the PP and Ray Allen.
Also, Pop is a lock for the HOF so that'd be 7 with a possible Doc Rivers (if he keeps on winning rings) for 8...that'd be crazy.
Questions rescued from the spam
by Ian Thomsen
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/ian_thomsen/10/31/weekly.countdown/1.html
You don't need to "defend" your Finals team selections, but you do need to defend the comment that a Celtics-Spurs Finals would feature "three Hall of Fame players per team." Who are these players? Kevin Garnett, of course. Paul Pierce, borderline, but I'll accept that if he has six more years like this past one AND wins another title. Ray Allen? Seriously? With the Spurs, Tim Duncan is a no-brainer. But who else is a Hall of Famer besides their coach, Gregg Popovich? Manu Ginobili? Tony Parker? I know they have a lot of career left, but we have a seriously watered-down Hall of Fame if those two are HOFers in your view. Defend yourself.
-- Ryan, Carlsbad, Calif.
I don't know if I would put Tony Parker in the Hall of Fame category just yet. Even Manu Ginobili is still earning his credits, but I think he will eventually join Tim Duncan there.
-- Bruno Alatrista of Hartford, Conn.
THOMPSON:
Parker has already won three NBA championships and an award as NBA Finals MVP. He is 26, and at his current rate he'll finish with close to 20,000 points and more than 6,000 assists. His improvement as a shooter should enable him to be relevant as he ages.
Ginobili has won three NBA championships and led Argentina to an Olympic gold medal. He was a star in Europe for four years before entering the NBA at the late age of 25. I project both as Hall of Famers, absolutely.
I was expecting more people to question whether Pierce and Allen would be worthy. But I imagined that both would receive serious consideration based on their career stats at the time of retirement; the championship puts them over the top.