gold star for USAHOF

Center MPA

Based on Pau Gasol, Chris Bosh, Ben Wallace, Shaquille O’Neal, and Yao Ming.

Please note that this does not reflect the last five Centers inducted but rather the previous five peak runs of that particular player.  Also, we are going with what each player predominantly played.  For some positions, we see very different players who bring unique skill sets, and at Center, that is very much the case.

The five Centers we are using as the baseline are:

Pau Gasol.  Class of 2023 & Peak Period 2008-09 to 2014-15:  Gasol’s brother, Marc, is more associated with the Center position than Pau, but Pau played more minutes at Center than Power Forward, especially in his peak Lakers period. 

Chris Bosh.  Class of 2021 & Peak Period 2005-06 to 2011-12:  Like Pau Gasol, Bosh played a lot of time at Power Forward and bluntly looks more like a PF than a C.  Nevertheless, we have to go by what he logged more minutes at, and we have CB4 slotted here.

Ben Wallace.  Class of 2021 & Peak Period 2000-01 to 2006-07:  With Wallace and the next three, we do not doubt these are pure Centers!  Wallace was not a scorer like the others, so he skews those metrics lower but elevates defensive averages.

Shaquille O’Neal.  Class of 2016 & Peak Period 1994-95 to 2000-01:  Shaq is the gold standard of these five, and when he falls off the recent five Centers, the bar metrics across the board will fall.

Yao Ming.  Class of 2016 & Peak Period 2002-03 to 2008-09: Yao Ming is the opposite of Shaq, not because he wasn’t good, but because his career was so brief, it will have the opposite impact on the overall totals.

Peak Period is the best seven consecutive seasons by a player.*All-NBA have weighted points.  3 for the First Team, 2 for the Second Team, and 1 for the Third Team.

MVP and Defensive Player of the Year have weighted points.  10 for 1st Place, 9 for 2nd Place, 8 for 3rd Place, 7 for 4th Place, 6 for 5th Place, 5 for 6th Place, 4 for 7th Place, 3 for 8th Place, 2 for 9th Place and 1 for 10th Place.

All-Defensive have weighted points.  2 for the First Team, 1 for the Second Team.


It is Basketball Hall of Fame weekend and dare we say that this is perhaps our favorite group since we started our site six years ago.

How can it not be as the top three players on our list, Shaquille O’Neal, Allen Iverson and Yao Ming, were all selected, and it is hard to think of a triumvirate as different as those three.

Despite there being three first ballot Hall of Famers, there shouldn’t be a question as to which one is the headliner; it is the man who is also the biggest.

Shaquille O’Neal came into the NBA as the first overall draft pick in 1992, and the LSU Tiger did not disappoint.  Instantly, the new Center for the Orlando Magic was a worldwide phenomenon and he took the Magic to the NBA Finals in 1995.  O’Neal would sign with the Los Angeles Lakers later as a free agent and lead them to three NBA Championships, and would later help the Miami Heat win their first title.  Shaq’s trophy chest contains an MVP, 15 All Star Game appearances, 8 First Team All NBA Selections, 2 Second Team All NBA Selections, 4 Third Team All NBA Selections and 2 Scoring Titles.

O’Neal currently is 7th all time in Points, 7th in Blocks and 13th in Rebounds.  He remains a public figure on television most notably with his work on TNT’s Basketball broadcasts.

During the ceremony, O’Neal had the line of the night, thanking Kobe Bryant; “A guy that would push me and help me win three titles in a row (and) he would also help me get pushed off the team and traded to Miami”

While O’Neal was the headliner, Allen Iverson was clearly had the most entertaining speech of the evening.

In a 31 minute monologue, “A.I” covered everything from Michael Jordan, Biggie Smalls, Tupac and Dave Chapelle and reminded everyone why he was not just a basketball superstar but also an urban icon. 

Known mostly for his exploits with the Philadelphia 76ers, “The Answer” took the Sixers to the 2001 NBA Finals, the same season he won the MVP.  The former Georgetown Hoya won four scoring titles and was named to seven All NBA Teams (three First, three Second and one Third) and was an 11 Time All Star.  Iverson also led the NBA in steals three times.

Yao Ming, from China, becomes the first Chinese player to enter the Hall of Fame.  Largely considered responsible for the basketball boom in China, Ming starred for the Houston Rockets and was chosen an All NBA Second Team member twice and went to eight All Star Games.  The 7’ 6’’ Ming remains a basketball ambassador in China.  Ming took China to three FIBA Asian Championships. 

While there was no doubt that these three were the stars of the show, the Basketball Hall of Fame welcomed many more to Springfield, Massachusetts.

Current Michigan State Men’s Basketball Coach, Tom Izzo was also inducted.  Izzo currently has a 524-205 record and took the Spartans to the 2000 NCAA Title.  He is also a former AP College Coach of the Year.

Sheryl Swoopes is this year’s female entrant.  Swoopes was the first WNBA signee, and won three WNBA MVPS and three Olympic Gold Medals.

Chicago Bulls owner, Jerry Reinsdorf who presided over the Bulls dynasty of the 1990’s was also officially inducted.

The remaining inductees of this years class were 27 year veteran referee, Darrel Garretson, Early African-American Selection, Cumberland Posey, John McLendon, who is entering for the second time as a coach (he was previously inducted as a contributor) and Zelmo Beaty, who is a member of the all-time ABA Team.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate this class and we look forward to continuing the debate as to who should go in next!
Lock it in.

As is tradition, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame has announced this year’s class hours before the NCAA Championship Game.

As previously reported, Yao Ming is in and there is no surprise that he will joined by two major former stars. 

Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson, who hold the numbers one and two spots respectively on our Notinhalloffame.com Basketball List got in on their first try. 

Shaq is a former four time NBA Champion, a former MVP, two time scoring champion and a fifteen time All Star.  O’Neal is without question the most dominant center of his day and one of the top Centers ever.

Iverson, who while he was not a former NBA Champion is also a former NBA MVP and won four scoring titles and went to 11 All Star Games.  In terms of excitement on the court, Iverson had few peers.

While O’Neal, Iverson and Ming are easily the top draws there are still big names who have been selected for this year.

Current Michigan State Head Coach, Tom Izzo enters Springfield and is a former NCAA Champion Coach.  His current record is 524 and 205.

This years female inductee is Sheryl Swoopes, a four time WNBA Champion and three time WNBA MVP.

The remaining inductees this year are former three time ABA All Star, and two time NBA All Star, Zelmo Beaty, Chicago Bulls owner, Jerry Reinsdorf, official, Darrell Garretson, African-American Pioneer, Cumberland Posey and the late African-American Coach, John McLendon.

We will be working on our new Basketball list and it should be unveiled next month.

We would like to congratulate this year’s class and as always we love this time of the year!

It has been reported by multiple sources that Yao Ming will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

The greatest star in the history of Chinese Basketball, Ming began his career in the Chinese league and was the first pick in the 2002 NBA Draft.  Ming was an eight time All Star who averaged 19 Points and 9.2 Rebounds per year.  Ming retired in 2011 following a series of injuries his feet and ankles.

Ming, who was ranked #3 by us at Notinhalloffame.com, will be the International representative and is almost single handedly responsible for elevating the game in China.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate Yao Ming and will be watching intensely to see who will join him.



The Basketball Hall of Fame has announced their preliminary candidates for the 2016 Class.  As announced earlier, the Hall has reduced the amount of wait time from five years to four years after retirement.



Here is the complete list of nominated players/coaches/contributors:



North American Committee Nominations

Mark Aguirre: Ranked #7 on Notinhalloffame.com

Geese Ausbie

Bill Bertka

Junior Bridgeman

Irv Brown

Maurice Cheeks: Ranked #18 on Notinhalloffame.com

Terry Cummings: Ranked #19 on Notinhalloffame.com

Lefty Driesell

Hugh Evans

Bill Fitch

Cotton Fitzsimmons

Darell Garretson

A.C. Green: Ranked #54 on Notinhalloffame.com

Tim Hardaway: Ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame.com

Del Harris

Robert Hughes

Allen Iverson: Ranked #1 on Notinhalloffame.com

Tom Izzo

Kevin Johnson: Ranked #12 on Notinhalloffame.com

Marques Johnson: Ranked #24 on Notinhalloffame.com

Bobby Jones: Ranked #31 on Notinhalloffame.com

Jerry “Tiger” Jones

Gene Keady

Rollie Massimino

George McGinnis: Ranked #14 on Notinhalloffame.com

Gary McKnight

John McLendon

Danny Miles

Sidney Moncrief: Ranked #4 on Notinhalloffame.com

Dick Motta

Swen Nater

Shaquille O’Neal: Ranked #1 on Notinhalloffame.com

Mark Price: Ranked #28 on Notinhalloffame.com

Glenn Robinson

Lee Rose

Bo Ryan

Jack Sikma: Ranked #5 on Notinhalloffame.com

Steve Smith

Fred Snowden

Eddie Sutton

Reggie Theus: Ranked #42 on Notinhalloffame.com

Rudy Tomjanovich: Ranked #37 on Notinhallofffame.com

Chris Webber: Ranked #4 on Notinhalloffame.com

Paul Westphal: Ranked #19 on Notinhalloffame.com



Women’s Committee Nominations

Leta Andrews

Jennifer Azzi

Rebecca Lobo

Muffet McGraw

Susie McConnell

Pearl Moore

Kim Mulkey

Harley Redin

Theresa Shank

Marianne Stanley

Barbara Stevens

Sheryl Swoopes

Wayland Baptist

Theresa Weatherspoon



DIRECT-ELECT CATEGORY

Early African-American Pioneers Committee Nominations

Clarence “Puggy” Bell

Sonny Boswell

Zack Clayton

Chuck Cooper

Bill Garrett

Inman Jackson

Clarence “Fats” Jenkins

Bucky Lew

Dave Minor

Hudson Oliver

Cumberland Posey Jr.

Al “Runt” Pullins

James “Pappy” Ricks

Paul Robeson

Eyre Saitch

William “Wee Willie” Smith



DIRECT-ELECT CATEGORY

International Committee Nominations

Tal Brody

Jackie Chazalon

Vlade Divac: Ranked #27 on Notinhalloffame.com

Nick Galis

Semen Khalipski

Vladimir Kondrashin

Toni Kukoc

Yao Ming: Ranked #3 on Notinhalloffame.com

Aldo Ossola

Amaury Pasos

Dino Radja

Manuel Sainz

Togo Soares

Ranko Zeravica

Marcos Leite



DIRECT-ELECT CATEGORY

Contributor Committee Nominations

Marv Albert

Al Attles

Dick Baumgartner

Marty Blake

Vic Bubas

Wayne Duke

Harry Glickman

Marty Glickman

Curt Gowdy

Tim Grgurich

Mannie Jackson

Tom Jernstedt

Johnny “Red” Kerr: Ranked 53 on Notinhalloffame.com

John Kline

Red Klotz

Jerry Krause

Jack McCloskey

Johnny Most

Dennis Murphy

Joe O’Toole

Billy Packer

Jerry Reinsdorf

Zelda Spoelstra

Jim Valvano

Donnie Walsh

Frank Walsh



DIRECT-ELECT CATEGORY

Veterans Committee Nominations

1936 US Olympic Team*

1964 State Dept Basketball Ambassadors

Zelmo Beaty: Ranked #18 on Notinhalloffame.com

Ron Boone: Ranked #99 on Notinhalloffame.com

Sid Borgia

Carl Braun

Frank Brian                             

Joe Caldwell

Mack Calvin

Charles Eckman

Leroy Edwards

Leo Ferris

Clarence “Bevo” Francis

Buck Freeman

Donnie Freeman

Travis Grant

Bob Grody

Joe Hammond

Robert Harrison

Flo Harvey

Cam Henderson

Robert Hopkins

Lou Hudson: Ranked #22 on Notinhalloffame.com

Warren Jabali

Jimmy Jones

Freddie Lewis

Jim Loscutoff

Loyola of Chicago

George McGinnis: Ranked #14 on Notinhalloffame.com

Ray Mears

Donald Moore

Willie Naulls: Ranked #92 on Notinhalloffame.com

John O’Brien

Philadelphia SPHAS

Mel Riebe

Glenn Roberts

Holcombe Rucker

Kenny Sailors

Fred Schaus

Charlie Scott: Ranked #44 on Notinhalloffame.com

Kenny Sears

Frank Selvy

George Senesky

Paul Seymour

Charles Siler

Talvin Skinner

Ken Suesens

Tennessee A&I

Dick Van Arsdale

Tom Van Arsdale

Willie Wise

Max Zaslofsky: Ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame.com





The Finalists will be announced during All Star Weekend in Toronto on February 12.  The Class of 2016 will be announced at the Final Four in Houston on April 4.





It appears that the change is official and the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame has reduced the time required to enter the institution after retirement from five years to four. 

As such, we here at Notinhalloffame.com looked at those who were eligible in 2017, and found that there were five former players who are worthy of our top 100 and changes were made right from the top.

Allen Iverson was at number one, but the former Point Guard lost that spot to the multi time NBA Champion, and one of the most dominating big men of all-time, Shaquille O’Neal.  It is expected, that O’Neal will get in immediately.   

Yao Ming will debut at number three, just edging out a former number one, Chris Webber who has now dropped to the fourth spot.  Ming had a relatively speaking short NBA career, but he was a five time post season All-NBA selection and almost single handedly raised the game in China to huge proportions. 

The three other players who have advanced from the futures to the main Notinhalloffame Basketball list are Peja Stojakovic (#39), Zydrunas Ilgauskas  (#57) and Antonio McDyess (#68).

All other Future eligible players have had their sections moved up one year in accordance with the new rules.

If you have not cast a vote for the players on the basketball list, we certainly encourage you to do so and we thank you for all of your support!







This could be huge.

NBA.com is reporting that the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame is looking to reduce the years of eligibility following retirement from five years to four years, the main reason being that this will allow five calendar years to take place after a player retires to officially enter the Hall. 

Should this move take place, heavyweight (literally) candidate Shaquille O’Neal will be able to enter the Hall a year earlier as he is currently eligible for the Hall in 2017.  This would also include Yao Ming, which could make next year’s class one for the ages as Allen Iverson is entering his first year of eligibility. 

It is also expected that the direct entry ABA Selection Committee will be dropped, thus rendering anyone with ABA play on their resume to have to gain entry via the main road, the North American Committee, which nominates and inducts players, coaches or contributors from the North American professional, collegiate and high school game.

Once all of this becomes official, we will immediately begin work on revising our Basketball list to reflect the changes.