DieMrBond
09-10-2006, 07:15 PM
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writers/marty_burns/09/08/hall.fame/index.html
The Basketball Hall of Fame will welcome six new members on Friday, including former NBA stars Charles Barkley, Joe Dumars and Dominique Wilkins. Who else from David Stern's league will be joining them in years to come? Here's a quick preview of how it shapes up.
(Note: A player must be fully retired for five years before being eligible for enshrinement. He may then be considered for enshrinement in the sixth year of retirement. Active coaches are eligible after 25 years of service, including time spent as an assistant.)
Class of 2007
Phil Jackson
Best bet: Phil Jackson
On the bubble: Chris Mullin, Don Nelson
THE SKINNY: The Zen Master, with his nine NBA rings as a coach (tied with Red Auerbach for most all-time) should be a lock. But he has been critical of the Hall in the past for its repeated snubs of longtime assistant Tex Winter. It will be interesting to see how it might affect his willingness to be nominated, or whether the Hall's secret panel of voters hold it against him. Meanwhile, it's unlikely that Mullin and Nelson -- recently reunited in Golden State -- could share the stage in Springfield next summer. Mullin, the one-time sweet-shooting southpaw (now Warriors team president) will probably come up short, as '07 will join '05 and '94 as recent years in which no NBA player gets inducted. Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history, should have a better chance after being snubbed a year ago.
Class of 2008
Patrick Ewing Hakeem Olajuwon
Best bets: Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon
On the bubble: Mitch Richmond
THE SKINNY: Two of the all-time greatest pivots take center stage. The '94 NBA Finals, when the Dream denied Ewing in his lone appearance in the title series, surely will be remembered by those in attendance. Of course, Ewing fans will prefer to dwell on the '84 NCAA Finals, when Ewing's Georgetown squad defeated Olajuwon's "Phi Slamma Jamma" Houston team. As for Richmond, he likely will join his Run TMC partner -- and current boss -- Mullin as a near-miss.
Class of 2009
Michael Jordan, John Stockton Pat Riley, David Robinson
Best bets: Michael Jordan, John Stockton, Pat Riley, David Robinson
THE SKINNY: A class for the ages, with the emphasis on "class." Jordan, the greatest ever to play the game, will be joined by Stockton, the league's all-time leader in assists and steals, and Robinson, one of the game's all-time statesmen. All three were NBA legends who played the game the right way. Riley, third all-time in NBA coaching victories and owner of four NBA rings, will bring his slick-backed hair and Armani style to the proceedings as well.
Class of 2010
Karl Malone
Best bet: Karl Malone
THE SKINNY: Assuming he doesn't heed those annual calls to come out of retirement, the Mailman should be ready to follow his pick-and-roll buddy Stockton at this time. In his acceptance speech, he can tell the world how hard he worked to make it from humble beginnings to perhaps the greatest power forward of all time. But please, Mailman, for the sake of English teachers everywhere, make sure the speech contains the correct verb tenses.
Class of 2011
Reggie Miller Scottie Pippen
Best bet: Reggie Miller, Scottie Pippen
THE SKINNY: One was the consummate showman. The other was the perfect sidekick. In that sense, Miller and Pippen will provide Hall spectators proof that there is more than one way to achieve greatness in basketball. And think of the possibilities for presenters: Jordan for Pippen, and Spike Lee for Miller.
The Basketball Hall of Fame will welcome six new members on Friday, including former NBA stars Charles Barkley, Joe Dumars and Dominique Wilkins. Who else from David Stern's league will be joining them in years to come? Here's a quick preview of how it shapes up.
(Note: A player must be fully retired for five years before being eligible for enshrinement. He may then be considered for enshrinement in the sixth year of retirement. Active coaches are eligible after 25 years of service, including time spent as an assistant.)
Class of 2007
Phil Jackson
Best bet: Phil Jackson
On the bubble: Chris Mullin, Don Nelson
THE SKINNY: The Zen Master, with his nine NBA rings as a coach (tied with Red Auerbach for most all-time) should be a lock. But he has been critical of the Hall in the past for its repeated snubs of longtime assistant Tex Winter. It will be interesting to see how it might affect his willingness to be nominated, or whether the Hall's secret panel of voters hold it against him. Meanwhile, it's unlikely that Mullin and Nelson -- recently reunited in Golden State -- could share the stage in Springfield next summer. Mullin, the one-time sweet-shooting southpaw (now Warriors team president) will probably come up short, as '07 will join '05 and '94 as recent years in which no NBA player gets inducted. Nelson, the second-winningest coach in NBA history, should have a better chance after being snubbed a year ago.
Class of 2008
Patrick Ewing Hakeem Olajuwon
Best bets: Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon
On the bubble: Mitch Richmond
THE SKINNY: Two of the all-time greatest pivots take center stage. The '94 NBA Finals, when the Dream denied Ewing in his lone appearance in the title series, surely will be remembered by those in attendance. Of course, Ewing fans will prefer to dwell on the '84 NCAA Finals, when Ewing's Georgetown squad defeated Olajuwon's "Phi Slamma Jamma" Houston team. As for Richmond, he likely will join his Run TMC partner -- and current boss -- Mullin as a near-miss.
Class of 2009
Michael Jordan, John Stockton Pat Riley, David Robinson
Best bets: Michael Jordan, John Stockton, Pat Riley, David Robinson
THE SKINNY: A class for the ages, with the emphasis on "class." Jordan, the greatest ever to play the game, will be joined by Stockton, the league's all-time leader in assists and steals, and Robinson, one of the game's all-time statesmen. All three were NBA legends who played the game the right way. Riley, third all-time in NBA coaching victories and owner of four NBA rings, will bring his slick-backed hair and Armani style to the proceedings as well.
Class of 2010
Karl Malone
Best bet: Karl Malone
THE SKINNY: Assuming he doesn't heed those annual calls to come out of retirement, the Mailman should be ready to follow his pick-and-roll buddy Stockton at this time. In his acceptance speech, he can tell the world how hard he worked to make it from humble beginnings to perhaps the greatest power forward of all time. But please, Mailman, for the sake of English teachers everywhere, make sure the speech contains the correct verb tenses.
Class of 2011
Reggie Miller Scottie Pippen
Best bet: Reggie Miller, Scottie Pippen
THE SKINNY: One was the consummate showman. The other was the perfect sidekick. In that sense, Miller and Pippen will provide Hall spectators proof that there is more than one way to achieve greatness in basketball. And think of the possibilities for presenters: Jordan for Pippen, and Spike Lee for Miller.