[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

We just found out who the HOF Players were for the 2011 Class, and I think they should all definitely be congratulated as they all were very deserving. I was kind of wondering though, which current players in the NBA might garner hall recognition? The list only includes NBA players from these certain Draft Class years, and I will start with the 1992 Class, which is the first year I really got into NBA basketball and also the last draft class that still has a current player in the NBA. So, just naming players, and while I am sure their are international players that will garner recognition, I am only going to name guys who actually had an NBA career. Their international play may indeed have something to do with them being selected though. I will list Locks (people that will make it for sure, more than likely first ballot), Possibilities (People who could make it, though it could take a while) and Just Missed (Players who more than likely have little to no chance at making the Hall of Fame as players). So, here is the Hall of Fame list:

1992 Draft Class

Locks:

Shaquille O’Neal

Possibilities:

Alonzo Mourning

Just Missed: : So much heart, but his career was killed by his Kidney problems. He is such a great guy that I would not at all be surprised if that pushes him over the top, and I like his chances of making it eventually.

Christian Laettner: Would say Christian was a possibility, because he is a definite college Hall of Famer, but I think the Dream Team being recognized as a Hall of Fame team is the closest he gets to making the Springfield Hall of Fame. His NBA numbers are incredibly pedestrian, even with his great college career and him being a part of possibly the greatest team ever assembled.

Robert Horry: 7 rings, countless clutch performances, he will always be remembered. Still, he was a role player and more than likely not a Hall of Famer.

Latrell Sprewell: Was a great underdog story as a late pick, fantastic scorer, but I think he stays on the outside of the HOF.

1993 Draft Class

Possibilities:

Chris Webber: I would call him a lock, and he had a great career, but he is still a coin flip at this point. Injuries definitely were an issue with C-Webb, and besides a couple nice teams in Sacramento, he played for a lot of losers. Incredibly talented, still not sure if he will make the HOF.

Just Missed:

Penny Hardaway: He was a very marketable and rare player, but injuries derailed his HOF possibilities

Jamal Mashburn: Again, it was injuries, not to mention a poor shooting percentage and not really playing on many winning teams.

Allan Houston: Knicks fans will always remember him for his clutch shooting and great play-off moments, but his career comes up short of being a Hall of Fame one.

Sam Cassell: He was a winner upon entering the league and playing a big role on Houston. Still, I think it will be tough to consider his career Hall worthy.

1994 Draft

Locks:

Jason Kidd

Possibilities:

Grant Hill: Injuries again with Hill derailed him from being a lock. Their was a time where I considered him a much better player than Jason Kidd, but Kidd had the better career without question due to his durability. Still, Grant has played with a lot of heart, is a great all-around player and not only won 2 chips at Duke, but was an Olympic Gold Medal winner in 1996. Will be interesting to see if he makes it off of the respect people have for him.

Just Missed:

Glenn "Big Dog" Robinson: Hyped to the max before he even played a NBA game, he was a great scorer for many years, but a very incomplete player. Think his HOF chances are incredibly slim, but he deserves mention as he did average over 20 ppg for his career, which is no small feat.

1995 Draft

Locks:

Kevin Garnett

Possibilities:

Rasheed Wallace: I truly think Rasheed should have a chance. He meant so much to that Detroit championship team and was a supremely talented player. Him being a head case and not exactly having incredible career numbers (14.6, 6.7) probably keep him out, but I say he at least has a chance. Still, out of all the possibilities thus far, I put him lowest on the totem pole by quite a distance.

Just Missed:

Jerry Stackhouse: Couple time All-Star, one time scoring champ, most time role player. He was a good player, but never really a great one.

Michael Finley: Very solid, played on many good teams, but still feel he lacks HOF credentials.

Damon Stoudamire: He won the ROY over Sabonis (who was drafted in 1986, and of course just made the Hall), and he got his career off to a fantastic start, but had problems with injuries and never really stood out amongst the NBA’s elite PG’s. Used to kill the Lakers, and had his moments, but he is not an HOF’er.

1996 Draft (So Dope):

Locks:

Kobe Bryant

Allen Iverson

Steve Nash

Ray Allen

Just Missed:

Peja Stojakovic: Injuries probably derailed what could have been an HOF worthy career.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas: Much of the same, solid career, but probably not an HOF player.

Stephon Marbury: Was great at times, but he was a total headcase and played on a bunch of losers.

Shareef Abdur-Rahim: So incredibly solid, but injuries cut his career from HOF contention.

Antoine Walker: Great all-around player, total chucker, no real chance at being a HOF player.

Derek Fisher: Great player on a number of great teams, but more of a role guy than a HOF guy.

1997 Draft

Locks:

Tim Duncan

Chauncey Billups: He is the first lock I will explain. I know his percentages are not amazing, and that for much of his career he was a role guy. But, he won the NBA Finals MVP and had that amazing string of Conference Finals runs. I think he is a lock to make it.

Possibilities:

Tracy McGrady: Supremely talented, multiple time scoring champ and All-Star. Still, he will be known as an amazing player who never made it past the first round while he was playing on a team. Injuries played a big part in his not making the HOF, but I doubt he makes it.

Just Missed:

Anthony Parker: He was incredible as a European player, but really average as a NBA guy. Do not think his European career lifts him in.

1998 Draft

Locks:

Dirk Nowitzki

Paul Pierce

Possibilities:

Vince Carter: It looks less and less likely with time, but his career scoring average is still the same as Paul Pierce’s at this time. Still, he will not be known as a winner and he had debilitating injuries that will more than likely keep him on the outside looking in. There was a time where he looked like a lock though, but he did not keep it up.

Just Missed:

Antawn Jamison/Rashard Lewis/Mike Bibby: Think they all were nice players who come up short of being HOF players

1999 Draft

Locks:

Manu Ginobili

Possibilities:

Rip Hamilton: He was another role player on those great Detroit teams, and is incredible at his ability to move without the ball and score. I thought he came close to deserving the Finals MVP, and we will have to see how his career turns out, but he is likely on the outside looking in.

Ron Artest: Former defensive player of the year, multiple All-Star and a very unique player. His oncourt hijinks likely disqualify him, but he is worth mentioning as a possibility.

Lamar Odom: Two time champ, very valuable to his team. Still, never has been an All-Star or really lived up to his immense potential. He is a possibility, but I do not know how likely he is too make it.

Elton Brand: Consumate 20/10 player, was incredibly consistent towards the beginning, but a lack of winning and injuries keep him out. Still worth a mention, though.

Steve Francis: The favorite of the dunk fans and his flare he played with, but was very selfish and marred by injuries. Do not like his odds.

Baron Davis: Big time volume shooter, has incredibly admired skills as a player, but is not Hall worthy at this point and more than likely will not be.

Shawn Marion: Explosive, unique, not a HOF guy.

Jason Terry: I will stop with him as a possibility, as I believe this draft had a lot of great players who never really got there. Has been arguably the second best player on one of the NBA’s best teams for a LONG time. But, I do not think he makes it to the hall.

2000 Draft

Kenyon Martin, Michael Redd and maybe Mike Miller are worth mentioning, but this draft class probably does not have a single guy who makes it in as a player or has much of a chance.

2001 Draft

Locks:

Pau Gasol

Tony Parker

Possibilities:

Joe Johnson: Very talented, multiple time All-Star, but still best known as the best player on a middle of the road team. He has a chance, but it does not look very strong.

Zach Randolph: Thought the sky was the limit, but he has always been on losers or teams near the bottom of the play-off pole. He is a double double machine and great low post scorer, but I think he has a tough case as far as being Hall worthy.

Just Missed:

Jason Richardson: Never became the top SG he had the potential to be.

Gerald Wallace: Has skills and a unique quality that could land him as a possibility, but as of right now I do not think he has much of a chance.

Richard Jefferson: Solid, but very unspecatcular.

2002 Draft

Possibilities:

Amare Stoudemire: I think he still has a little ways to go, but is very much on the right track. Extremely solid player, who if he remains healthy could very well be in the Hall

Yao Ming: Incredible player, injuries might keep him out. His amazing international presence and legendary skill for his size may get him in eventually, but as an NBA player he has probably not done enough just yet.

Carlos Boozer: He is not incredibly likely at this point, but if the Bulls do indeed go on to win some rings, he might become an HOF guy.

Just Missed:

Caron Butler

Tayshaun Prince

Luis Scola

Juan Carlos Navarro

2003 Draft

Locks:

LeBron James

Dwyane Wade

Possibilities:

Carmelo Anthony: He more than likely will make it, as he is an amazing scorer.

Chris Bosh: People will probably chop my head off, but he still has a chance. Still, after a strong first 7 years, it will be up to the rest of his career, and he is in no way in the category of the previous three names in the class.

Just Missed:

David West

Josh Howard

2004 Draft

Locks:

Dwight Howard

Just Missed:

Josh Smith

Al Jefferson

Emeka Okafor

Ben Gordon

Devin Harris

 

This is the point in the predictions that gets incredibly difficult, as these players careers have been so short. So, I will just completely predict from 2005 on who are locks and possibilities, and leave out those who have just missed.

2005 Draft

Locks:

Chris Paul

Deron Williams

Possibilities:

Monta Ellis

Danny Granger

Andrew Bogut

2006 Draft

Possibilities:

Rajon Rondo (Easily the best possibility in this class thus far)

Brandon Roy (Injuries probably have destroyed his chances)

Rudy Gay

Andrea Bargnani (Really slim at this point in his career)

LaMarcus Aldridge

Paul Millsap

2007 Draft

Locks:

Kevin Durant (He still has a lot to prove, but I am predicting he does so)

Possibilities:

Al Horford

Joakim Noah

Rudy Fernandez (doubtful)

Marc Gasol

Greg Oden (of course they are INCREDIBLY slim at this point)

2008 Draft

Locks:

Derrick Rose (Again, way too soon, but I see him as being well on his way, especially with a MVP win this season being likely)

Possibilities:

Russell Westbrook (Looking REALLY good as a possibility)

Kevin Love (Has a long way to go, but huge numbers)

Eric Gordon

OJ Mayo

Michael Beasley

Nicolas Batum (I see something in him, could be way off)

Serge Ibaka

2009 Draft

Possibilities:

Blake Griffin (Looking like a lock, but I want more than one amazing year)

Stephen Curry

Tyreke Evans (Amazing first year, kind of a sophomore slump)

Brandon Jennings

DeJuan Blair (All depends on whether he stays healthy, but he could be awesome down the line)

DeMar DeRozan (All potential here)

James Harden (Looks like a no, but if the Thunder do well, he could play a big role)

Jrue Holliday (Really nice all-around player, but again seems farfetched)

Ricky Rubio (Still has to play a NBA game, but his Euro stats do not put him over the top at all)

Hasheem Thabeet (Kidding 🙂

2010 Draft

Possibilities:

John Wall (Looks like a winner in his first year)

DeMarcus Cousins (So much ability, but he might fall in the Rasheed category as being talented with a tude)

So far those two look like the best chances, though Paul George, Ed Davis and Greg Monroe should progress really well. Will be interesting to see.

 

Keep in mind folks, I may have left some people out, I am sure I will get reminders for Ben Wallace and such, but I am just going off of drafts. 1996 looks to be the deepest by far when you look at these classes. Also, just because I said someone is a possibility, it does not necessarily mean I think they will make it. Read my comments for that one before you go cuckoo bananas.

Overall, I named 21 players as mortal locks. Taking a look at the rest of the possibilities and such, I would probably add these players as ones who I believe will make it (only before 2005): Alonzo Mourning, Chris Webber, Grant Hill (coin flip), Amare Stoudemire, Yao Ming (Too important a symbol not too), Carmelo Anthony and with a miracle possibly Chris Bosh (That miracle being keeping healthy, keeping his productions and winning championships). Of before 2005, Russell Westbrook, Rajon Rondo, John Wall and Blake Griffin are off to fantastic starts of their careers.

Well, let the debate begin!

 

 

[Anton123Participant]

 You really can’t call Rose a lock. Sure if he continues to play this way – he’s a lock, but we can’t know that a terrible injury won’t happen (knock on wood) or something of that sort, anyone who has been in the NBA less than 6 years can’t be a lock.

I don’t even see CP3 and Deron as locks yet. CP3 is battling injuries and we still have to see what that turns out to be and Williams is playing on a losing team. 

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

These are projections, as none of these players have made the Hall of Fame yet. People thought Reggie Miller was a lock, and he was not even a finalist this year. But, thank you for your input on three incredibly small pieces of my much larger article 🙂 

[ucla86Participant]

What were you smoking when you made this list, and where can I purchase some of the same drug?  I am being honest when I say this..  

 

Dude your out to Freaking lunch, absolutely out to lunch!

 

Look at some of these names you have as potential hall of famers.. 

Rudy Fernandez

Marc Gasol

Greg Oden

Serge Ibaka

Danny Granger

Paul Milisap

Dejuan Blair

 

I am sorry man, but are you absolutely retarted.

 

[ucla86Participant]

Damon Stoudamire?

Big Z?

Josh Smith?

Caron Butler?

Richard Jefferson?

Andrea Bargnani? 

 

Dude what the hell is wrong with you.

[ucla86Participant]

Steve Francis?

Lamar Odom?

 

T-Mac?

 

 

All these guys your mentioning are not even allstars consistently lol.. OUT TO LUNCH MAN ..wow

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

You my friend, are the one who is out to lunch. Lamar Odom was never an All-Star. My guess is, you did not read everything I wrote, and than just decided to ridicule a list of players whom I did not think are going to make the Hall of Fame rather than mentioning all of the players that I did say were probably going to make it. Every player you named was NOT on my list of players at the end who I saw making the Hall of Fame. Nice try though.

I will of course not call you retarded, as it seems like you have mispelled the word in your attempts to try and say that to me. But, I definitely know what you tend to get out of articles, which is trying to find what is wrong with it rather than what is right with it. You can call me out to lunch, but I made a clear list of my rankings and expectations that you did not read. If you went to UCLA, I am sorry, but I am thinking that must just be your name. Well, doing the Pac-10 proud man……

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

• Locks: People who at some point I feel will definitely make the HOF. They are not all first ballot guys, and some need work, but I like their odds incredibly.
• Possibilities: Probably could have had a few categories here, but these are people that POSSIBLY could make the HOF. They either are not complete locks with a possible argument, still have a little more to do in an ongoing career or have yet to really show everything they can do over their careers. Also stated the ones after 2005 were very rough estimates. The reason I made this list is so people would not whine about who was left off, but obviously my thoroughness backfired.
• Just Missed: People who at one time may have looked like potential HOF players or were well thought of but have a snowballs chance in hell of making the HOF as players. Again, hoping to prevent whining about "You left off so and so", but instead I just got a really poor reader who overreacted.

I could have possibly explained it better, but I thought I did at least a decent job of doing so in my original post. If you actually have a question regarding my players I saw as ACTUAL HOF choices (my 21 locks and the players I mentioned at the end of the article), than I might actually be offended (doubt it though). Right now I just wonder if you have severe issues with literacy as you have not shown any real ability past four and five letter words and writing the names of players I listed. 

[jdimesParticipant]

Very nice article

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

I mean, I was not expecting this to be my only real comment thus far, and am up for debate for sure. I just wish people would have maybe understood what I was trying to do in the first place rather than looking past one of the facts I was trying to state which is, "It is hard to make it into the Basketball Hall of Fame". A lot of great players on this list who looked like possible HOF candidates until injury or other career choices happened.

[dragons12Participant]

am i the only one who saw emeka ofafor as a lock? really? i think andy rautins is a possibility too….

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

These are the players who I think WILL make the HOF as Locks:

• Shaquille O’Neal
• Jason Kidd
• Kevin Garnett
• Kobe Bryant
• Allen Iverson
• Ray Allen
• Steve Nash
• Tim Duncan
• Chauncey Billups (I have an affinity for Finals MVP’s)
• Dirk Nowitzki
• Paul Pierce
• Manu Ginobili
• Pau Gasol
• Tony Parker
• LeBron James
• Dwyane Wade
• Dwight Howard
• Chris Paul (Predicition)
• Deron Williams (Prediction)
• Derrick Rose (Prediction)
• Kevin Durant (Prediction)

These are the players marked as Possibilities, who I think can or will more than likely make it:

• Alonzo Mourning
• Chris Webber
• Grant Hill (Coin flip)
• Amare Stoudemire
• Yao Ming (Because he is an incredible symbol and ambassador)
• Carmelo Anthony
• Chris Bosh (Who still has a lot left to prove, and will need to be an important player on title teams)

Finally, I listed some guys who look like they are well on their way to being HOF candidates chosen AFTER (I stated before, and can not edit unfortunately) the 2005 Draft:

• Rajon Rondo
• Russell Westbrook
• Blake Griffin
• John Wall

Keep in mind, those last 4 players have A LOT more to prove, but they are off too terrific starts in their respective careers. With some of the later players, it is of course with PROJECTION taken into account, but I thought this was a fair list of some players who have a chance at going to the Hall. The other players were listed more for showing that while you may be a solid player, you might not be HOF material.

 

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

Great post..

Shaq said next year is his last..Kidd has mentioned his days are numbered..And Iverson will never be a starter again in the nba and should retire…

So wouldnt it be great if Shaq, Duncan,Iverson,Kidd and Garnett retire at the same time and enter the Hall in the same class?

Would they get more hype then the class of Jordan, Stockton & Robinson?

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

i think Ray Allen will make it but not on the 1st ballot..I think next year Reggie Miller will get in…

[RUDEBOY_Participant]

for some reason in 5 years i dont see Rondo being the same player he is today…

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

I think Ray might be, under the right circumstances. I like Ray better than Reggie as far as career goes (more efficient, higher scoring average, the 3 point record). Rondo may not be the same, but he has been a two time All-Star, is a great defender and has that ring. He is on the right track, that is for sure. Thank you, though. Also, I think that HOF class would be amazing, but Michael Jordan being inducted is always going to be incredibly special. Maybe in depth that class would rock, but I for some reason think it might not happen.

Not to mention, would Iverson not technically start his 5 year countdown to eligibility this year seeing as his NBA career is over? I guess possibly not seeing that he had the Turkey fiasco, but it could happen. I tend to not really focus on which HOF class is better than another, just think it is nice when people who deserve it make it. 

[apb540Participant]

8th Pick- Larry Hughes

9th Pick- Dirk

10th Pick- Paul Pierce

Pick the name that doesn’t belong! 

[darko4prezParticipant]

with less than 10 years in the league or 4 rings. It’s insulting and idiotic

[darko4prezParticipant]

Maybe YOU should understand english. Lock means definite. Possibility means they have a chance. Just missed means they didn’t do quite enough, whether due to injury or playing on poor teams.

Examples:

Lock – Kobe

Possibility – Derick Rose

Just missed – Yao

 

It makes no sense to have a category (mislabeled as it is) of "once had a chance" because most every player ever drafted in the top 10 "once had a chance," however small.

 

Also, no one with any iota of intelligence was going to bash you for leaving off Juan Carlos Navarro or Antoine Walker as HOF possibilities.

 

I don’t think Pau or Manu even get in, much less are locks. Neither has ever been the best player on a championship team and I doubt many would say Manu was ever even second best. That isn’t the only criteria, but neither of those guys is Scottie Pippen either. Pau at least has a chance though.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

English word. Sorry for the mix-up, but I thought a guy named Darko4Prez might understand. Manu was the best player on an Argentina team that won the gold medal in the 2004 Olympics. Thought that was a nice accomplishment. You do not need 4 rings, or even 10 years for that matter, but some of them were PROJECTIONS. Sorry it is so offensive, clearly did not mean to upset you. I had criteria, and I think you did get the gist of what I was saying. I am really sorry also that when a guy is going to win the MVP in his 3rd season, or wins an MVP, usually HOF is going to follow.  

[Michael.S.Participant]

Sheesh. getting alot of flack on this thread huh MikeyV?

[OnionsParticipant]

Somehow you managed to make the easiest HOF to get into, easier.

[butidonthavemoney]

Yes, technically nobody is a lock. Technically, the sun isn’t a lock to rise in the morning. Technically, nothing is certain.

Now that we’ve established that, maybe you people could focus more on the subject matter instead of the format.

[mikeyvthedonParticipant]

Ron, you are a voice of reason. Thank you.

Jammin-Lemon, you are my boy too, and yes, it appears so.

Darko, the definitions of all of these things are broad, but I am going to wager a guess. You looked over the post very quickly, than decided to write your first harsh words (which I would normally agree with, but again I will get onto my theory). You than read more and saw that I was not an insulting or idiotic premise. So, instead of saying, "Oh, I get it. You could have worded it differently", you decide to take the harsher line of attacking the categories I labelled these players under. I am aware of the english language, which is usually why I read everything before I make opinions. These were very broad definitions. Also, seeing as you have not posted very often, some people might have indeed said "What about Antoine? What about Juan Carlos (you probably do not know a poster called Euroballer)?". Their are tons of great basketball minds and eager debators on this site. But, their are people who are as you described, might not know an iota about basketball. Also, all of those definitions you gave, ARE THE EXACT POINTS I WAS TRYING TO MAKE. If anything, I should have called some of the guys under 10 years possibilities than locks. Still have 14 players there, and Dwyane Wade and LeBron have both done enough in 8 years to be considered locks to me. I was giving players a tribute who have had nice careers or accomplishments, this tends to happen here.

Guys, I think I can take constructive criticism, and if you have a legitimate argument about a player being or not being on the list, I am all for it. Plus, I know you all might not have read or memorized all my posts, many are long, some may even suck, who knows. But, I tend to do my research and I did it here. If you want to debate the players I actually said will make the Hall, or someone you think should, I am all for it. But, while I admit the post might not be entirely clear to a reader, if you read it closely, you would know that I have not opened up the HOF to everyone, and definitely had standards.

[afree15Participant]

is pau gasol really a lock?

 

I think vince carter will get in

[DanEboyParticipant]

I think Pau and Yao are in. Let’s remember, it isn’t the NBA Hall of Fame, it is the Basketball Hall of Fame. Their International play factors into it.

[r377Participant]

great article.  it is actually really hard to make the HOF.  usually only 1 or 2 from each draft make it.  there is some real tough ones…..

i think alonzo deserves to be a HOF, i think penny and mashburn just miss out.  grant hill is 50-50, he was the air apparent back in the day and was 2nd best player behind jordan before injury. i think with his long career and nice guy rep he just squeeks in….

 

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