Comments on: How Would You Fill the “NBA Hall of Relevance”?

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 14:53:22 +0000

Alvan Adams in the NBA HoF ? Clifford Ray ? Peja ? Rondo ??? The gatekeeper rules are not tight enough.

By: Matt

Matt — Sun, 06 Mar 2011 16:56:08 +0000

Hoping this guy will get in someday. JOHNNY “RED” KERR – Contributor (Finalist in 2004, 2005, 2006), a native of Chicago, IL, dedicated more than 60 years of his life to the game of basketball as a player, coach, executive, and broadcaster. A three-time NBA All Star (1956, 1959, 1963) and a member of the 1955 NBA champion Syracuse Nationals, Kerr was one of basketball’s most durable players appearing in a then-record 844 consecutive games. The 1967 NBA Coach of the Year was the only coach in NBA history to lead an expansion to the playoffs in the franchise’s first season. At the Virginia Squires in the ABA, he signed both Julius Erving and George Gervin to their first pro contracts. He served as the Business Manager for the Chicago Bulls from 1973-1975 and as color commentator for the Chicago Bulls from 1975 to 2008. Kerr passed away in 2009.

By: Art

Art — Sun, 27 Feb 2011 23:11:23 +0000

Neil, I think you should pick some of these yourselves though. I know this is a stats site, and you're trying to find things with stats, but Ray Allen is only in there for Top 3 on Champ (and Top 2 on Champ would probably go to KG and Pierce). Dennis Rodman is also in there for the same reasons as Ray Allen. Both of them are sure HoF, but wouldn't make it based on these requirements. Same goes for Ben Wallace (I would definitely call his defense relevant). Rondo is in there for best in runner up. While I don't disagree that he was the best Celtic last year, that doesn't mean he's "relevant" enough to be a HoF. Baffled Yao isn't on there. Derek Fisher is statistically one of the worst players of all time. I'm not calling him a bad player (since he had to play with 2 superstars), but he's a career role player. Steve Kerr is more relevant than Derek Fisher (4 in a row, and one of the best 3pt shooters ever).

By: Anon

Anon — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 09:18:38 +0000

Neil, I love this, as I do all of BBR's stuff, so thank you for the endless entertainment and keep up the awesome work. @28 and @30: I just wanted to say that Luke, your top-25 list looks beautiful. In my mind (without doing research), I kind of think there's a "top-28" (in no particular order), and my list would include those 25 plus Mikan, Frazier, and Barry, so your list seems very in tune with my natural idea. I'll be following your cool journey through time on your blog, but if you do decide to post a giant list of the top-100 or whatever and some point, that would be swell. Thanks and keep it up!

By: Bob

Bob — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 02:33:08 +0000

Hey Neil,

Any chance you will discuss whether Reggie Miller was snubbed for Hall of Fame. I think he's Hall of Fame but probably not first ballot. For first ballots I don't think there should be any debate but Miller's inclusion is debatable.

Thanks

By: Robert Bradley

Robert Bradley — Sat, 26 Feb 2011 00:07:12 +0000

great discussion - to often the bar gets lowered as time goes by and players who were very good for an extended period of time get inducted alongside the very best players, mainly for their longevity.

as other have pointed out, i would also lean towards all-NBA, top 10 MVP finishes and All-Star Game appearances over All-Defensive as a more compelling case. a great defender like Dave DeBusschere who has a strong all-around game will make it more often than not based on the other criteria, while a player like Dennis Rodman, Bobby Jones, Michael Cooper or Bruce Bowen won't.

By: BSK

BSK — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:32:04 +0000

Mike F-

I wondered the same thing about baseball, and I was explained that it largely has to do with limits. Theoretically, there is no limit to how much value an offensive player can contribute. If he can score a million points, he'll score a million points. There is a limit on defense. You can shut a guy down and hold him to zero points, but you can't go beyond that. I do agree that there is a bit of an inbalance in the perception, but on weight, there is just more to what an offensive player can contribute. Or so it seems.

By: Gabe

Gabe — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:40:31 +0000

You have Slats on there, so I'm good.

By: David Fauber

David Fauber — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:26:07 +0000

@11 It seems that the idea of those stats is that they take a more in-depth look at the numbers to identify key performers. So whether the stat existed or not shouldn't really weigh in to relevance. (ie the player isn't relevant because us stat-geeks know he had 20 win shares, he's relevant due to the performance that graded out to 20 win shares)

By: Giorgio

Giorgio — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:24:01 +0000

Rasheed Wallace.
Top 3 in Pistons championship with Billups and Hamilton instead of Big Ben.