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 1^st Place, 9 for 2^nd Place, 8 for 3^rd Place, 7 for 4^th Place, 6 for 5^th Place, 5 for 6^th Place, 4 for 7^th Place, 3 for 8^th Place, 2 for 9^th Place and 1 for 10^th Place.

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

Regular visitors of Notinhalloffame.com know that we are slowly working on the top 50 of every major team in the NHL, NBA, NFL and MLB.  Once that is done, we intend to look at how each team honor their past players, coaches and executives.  As such, we are pleased to comment on the Los Angeles Lakers’ retirement of Pau Gasol’s number #16 last night.

Debuting in the NBA for the Memphis Grizzlies in 2001, the 7’ 1” Center, becoming the first European to win the Rookie of the Year.  An All-Star for Memphis in 2006, Gasol never had a year where his PPG was lower than 17, his RPG were lower than 7, and his Blocks were lower than 1.5 per Game.  Gasol was low-key one of the more complete players in Basketball, but was not noticed on the national level due to playing in Memphis.  This changed when he was traded to the Lakers during the 2007-08 Season.

Joining Kobe Bryant, Gasol had his perfect dance partner.  Gasol kept his scoring numbers strong, and was able to increase his rebounding stats, posting three straight 10-plus RPG years (2009-10 to 2011-12), earning three straight All-Stars (2008-09 to 2010-12), and most importantly, helped lead the Lakers to Titles in 2009 and 2010.  Gasol was never going to be under the radar again, and Los Angeles treated him like royalty.  He left the Lakers in 2014 for the Chicago Bulls as a Free Agent.

His #16 now hangs side-by-side with Kobe’s #8 and #24 it should be.  He also joins Wilt Chamberlain (#13), Elgin Baylor (#22), Gail Goodrich (#25), Magic Johnson (#32), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (#33), Shaquille O’Neal (#34), James Worthy (#42), Jerry West (#44), Jamaal Wilkes (#52) and George Mikan (#99).

Gasol is a Finalist for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame this year, and is a probable first-year entrant.  2023 is shaping up to be a special year for Gasol.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate Pau Gasol for earning this impending honor.

The Naismith Basketball released their preliminary nominees for the Class of 2023, which contains candidates from six different categories.  The Finalists will be released on NBA All-Star Weekend, on Friday, February 17.  The Class will be announced during the Final Four on April 1.

Here is the list of nominees: 

*Indicates first time nominee.

NORTH AMERICAN NOMINATIONS:

Ken Anderson (Coach)

John Beilein (Coach*)

Gene Bess (Coach)

Chauncey Billups (Player) Ranked #6 on Notinhalloffame.com

Tom Chambers (Player) Ranked #23 on Notinhalloffame.com

John Clougherty (Referee)

Michael Cooper (Player) Ranked #28 on Notinhalloffame.com

Joey Crawford (Referee)

Jack Curran (Coach)

Mark Eaton (Player) Ranked #32 on Notinhalloffame.com

Cliff Ellis (Coach)

Michael Finlay (Player) Ranked #59 on Notinhalloffame.com

Pau Gasol (Player*) Ranked #3 on Notinhalloffame.com

Leonard Hamilton (Coach)

Lou Henson (Coach)

Ed Hightower (Referee)

David Hixon (Coach)

Mark Jackson (Player) Ranked #67 on Notinhalloffame.com

Marques Johnson (Player) Ranked #14 on Notinhalloffame.com

Gene Keady (Coach)

Jim Larranaga (Coach*)

Maurice Lucas (Player) Ranked #21 on Notinhalloffame.com

Shawn Marion (Player) Ranked #18 on Notinhalloffame.com

Rollie Massimino (Coach)

Dick Motta (Coach)

Dirk Nowitzki (Player*) Ranked #1 on Notinhalloffame.com

Jake O’Donnell (Referee)

Tony Parker (Player*) Ranked #5 on Notinhalloffame.com

Jim Phelan (Coach)

Gregg Popovich (Coach*)

Bo Ryan (Coach)

Stan Spirou (Coach*)

Reggie Theus (Player) Ranked #70 on Notinhalloffame.com

Dwyane Wade (Player*) Ranked #2 on Notinhalloffame.com

Buck Williams (Player) Ranked #9 on Notinhalloffame.com

John Williamson (Player)

Paul Westphal (Coach)

WOMEN’S NOMINATIONS:

Leta Andrews (Coach)

Jennifer Azzi (Player)

Gary Blair (Coach)

Doug Bruno (Coach*)

Becky Hammon (Player)

Becky Martin (Coach)

Debbie Miller-Palmore (Player)

Kim Mulkey (Player)

Valerie Still (Player)

Marian Washington (Coach)

INTERNATIONAL DIRECT-ELECT NOMINATIONS:

Jackie Chazalon

Mirza Delibasic

Dusan Ivkovic

Semen Khalipski

Vladimir Kondrashin

Eduardo Lamas

Marcos Leite

Shimon Mirrabi

Amaury Pasos

Manuel Sainz

Togo Soares

Ranko Zerzvica

WOMEN’S VETERANS DIRECT-ELECT NOMINATIONS:

1976 U.S. Olympic Team (Team*)

1982 Cheyney University NCAA Final Four Team (Team*)

Alline Banks Sprouse (Player)

Edmonton Commercial Grads (Team)

John Head (Coach)

Yolanda Laney (Player*)

Nashville Business College (Team)

Lorneta Odom (Player)

Hanley Redin (Coach)

Hazel Walker (Player)

Valerie Walker (Player*)

Dean Weese (Coach*)

CONTRIBUTOR DIRECT-ELECT NOMINATIONS:

Pete Babcock

Dick Baumgartner

Henry Bibby

Marty Blake

Vic Bubas

Doug Collins

Wayne Duke

Bill Foster

Bob Gibbons

Simon Gourdine

Tim Grgurich

Junius Kellogg

Johnny “Red” Kerr

Tom Konchalski

Bobby Lewis

Fred McCall

Jack McCloskey

Jon McGlocklin

Speedy Morris

Dennis Murphy

Curly Neal

Jack Powers

Will Robinson

Gene Shue

Jim Valvano

Donnie Walsh

VETERANS DIRECT-ELECT NOMINATIONS:

1936 U.S. Olympic Team (Team)

1972 U.S. Olympic Team (Team)

Dick Barnett (Player) Ranked #61 on Notinhalloffame.com

Tom Blackburn (Coach)

Sid Borgia (Referee)

Charles Brown (Player)

Freddie Brown (Player*) Ranked #63 on Notinhalloffame.com

Jack Coleman (Player)

Charles Eckman (Referee)

Leroy Edwards (Player)

Lou Ferris (Contributor)

Hy Gotkin (Player)

Travis Grant (Player)

Jack Hartman (Coach)

Cam Henderson (Coach)

Robert Hopkins (Player)

Charles Keinath (Player)

Greg Kelser (Player*)

Kentucky Wesleyan 1966, 1968 & 1969 (Team)

Bob Love (Player) Ranked #52 on Notinhalloffame.com

Loyola of Chicago (Team)

Billy Markward (Contributor)

Ed McCluskey (Coach)

Jack McKinney (Contributor)

Bill Melchionni (Player*)

Francis Meehan (Player)

Lucias Mitchell (Coach)

Donald “Dudley” Moore (Coach)

Joe Mulaney (Coach)

Willie Naulls (Player) Ranked #45 on Notinhalloffame.com

North Catholic High School Junior Varsity (Philadelphia) (Team)

Don Otten (Player*)

Philadelphia SPHAS (Team)

Kevin Porter (Player*)

Glenn Roberts (Player)

Lennie Rosenbluth (Player)

Kenny Sailors (Player)

Fred Schaus (Contributor)

Sam Schulman (Contributor)

Paul Silas (Player) Ranked #26 on Notinhalloffame.com

Dick Van Arsdale (Player)

Tom Van Arsdale (Player)

Lambert Will (Cobtributor)

Max Zaslofsky (Player) Ranked #4 on Notinhalloffame.com

During this crazy time of NBA free agency, we have a basketball related announcement ourselves:

Our Notinhalloffame Basketball List has been revised to reflect the recent inductees and those now eligible.

What exactly did we do?

First, we took off those who were chosen for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the 2022 Class.

Second, we add those who are now eligible for the 2023 Class.

Third, we incorporate the comments and votes on those on the list, and alter accordingly.

Makes sense?

Let’s go!

Here is the new top ten on the Notinhalloffame.com list of those to consider for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.

Coming at #1 is Dirk Nowitzki, the German superstar who played his entire career with the Dallas Mavericks.  Nowitzki led Dallas to the 2011 NBA Championship, and individually, he was an 11-time All-Star.  He was also chosen for four First Team, five Second Team and three Third Team All-Star Selections.

Debuting at #2 is Miami Heat icon, Dwyane Wade.  The former Guard was strongly considered for the top spot, and had his squad beat Dirk in 2011, he might have been!  Wade won three NBA Titles with Miami, went to 13 All-Star Games, and was a two-time First Team, three-time Second Team and three-time Third Team All-NBA honoree.

Pau Gasol makes his first appearance at #3.  The Spaniard won two NBA Titles with the Lakers and internationally led Spain to Gold in the 2006 World Cup and captured two Silvers and a Bronze in Olympic competition.

Last year’s #1, Max Zaslofsky dropped to #4.  A four-time All-BAA/NBA Selection, Zaslofsky won the 1947/48 scoring title while as a member of the Chicago Stags, and he also played for New York, Baltimore, Milwaukee and Fort Wayne.

At #5, is another strong debut, Tony Parker.  A member of the powerful Spurs teams that won four NBA Titles with him, Parker was a seven-time All-Star, and was also chosen for four Second Team and one Third Team All-NBA.  While representing France, Parker won four medals in EuroBasket, including Gold in 2013. 

Chauncey Billups fell slightly to #6.  Leading the Pistons to a Title in 2004, Billups went to five All-Star Games, and was a three-time All-NBA player.

Shawn Kemp dropped to #7.  The “Reign Man” was an icon in Seattle and was a six-time All-Star and three-time Second Team All-NBA honoree.  

Larry Foust inched up to #8.  Foust went to eight All-Star Games in the 1950s, and was a First Team All-NBA player once.

Buck Williams moved up two spots to #9.  Williams was the 1982 Rookie of the Year, and a three-time All-Star.

Mark Aguirre rounds out the top 10.  A two-time All-American at DePaul, Aguirre won two NBA Championships with the Pistons and was also a three-time All-Star.

The entire list can be found here.

Please note that our list at present does not include women and international candidates.  We will look at doing that in the future.

You know what we want you to do!

Cast your votes, and offer your opinions.

As always, we have a heartfelt thank you from all of us at Notinhalloffame.com

We have updated our Basketball futures with some new names for you to cast your votes on and offer your opinions.

Added to the 2023 Basketball Section are:

Darren Collison, a ten-year veteran who led the league in 3-Point Shooting Percentage in 2017-18.

Devin Harris, an All-Star in 2009, and former Big Ten Player of the Year.

Nene, who is one of the most successful players from Brazil, both representing his country and in the NBA.

Pau Gasol, the Spanish Superstar who not only is one of Europe’s greatest basketball players, and would win two NBA Championships with the Lakers.  Gasol also is a four-time post-season All-Star and won the Rookie of the Year in 2002.

They join Dirk Nowitzki, Dwyane Wade, Luol Deng and Tony Parker who already have writeups.  

The 2024 Basketball Section is new, and consists of:

Jamal Crawford, a three-time Sixth Man of the Year, who also won the Teammate of the Year in 2018.

Joakim Noah, a two-time NCAA Champion at Florida and First Team All-NBA Selection in 2014.  Noah also won the 2014 NBA Defensive Player of the Year. 

The 2025 Basketball Section is new, and consists of:

J.J. Redick, wh0 was the consensus College Player of the Year in 2006, and led the NBA 3-Point Field Goal Percentage in 2015-16.

As we proceed further, we will be adding new names to all of our future sections.

This retirement should get a lot more press than it is.

Pau Gasol, the greatest basketball player from Spain, and a member of the Mount Rushmore of European Basketball has announced his retirement from the game.

Debuting in the NBA for the Memphis Grizzlies in 2001, the 7’ 1” Center, becoming the first European to win the Rookie of the Year.  An All-Star for Memphis in 2006, Gasol never had a year where his PPG was lower than 17, his RPG were lower than 7, and his Blocks were lower than 1.5 per Game.  Gasol was low-key one of the more complete players in Basketball, but was not noticed on the national level due to playing in Memphis.  This changed when he was traded to the Lakers during the 2007-08 Season.

Joining Kobe Bryant, Gasol had his perfect dance partner.  Gasol kept his scoring numbers strong, and was able to increase his rebounding stats, posting three straight 10-plus RPG years (2009-10 to 2011-12), earning three straight All-Stars (2008-09 to 2010-12), and most importantly, helped lead the Lakers to Titles in 2009 and 2010.  Gasol was never going to be under the radar again, and Los Angeles treated him like royalty.  Gasol appeared to slip, and he signed with Chicago in 2014, but proved he was far from done.

Gasol went to two more All-Star Games with the Bulls, both of which saw him break the double-digit mark in Rebounds per Game for the fourth and fifth time.  Overall, Gasol was a four-time All-NBA Selection (two Second Team and two Third Team), and he would also play for San Antonio and Milwaukee, before returning to Spain to finish his career.  He last played in the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo.  Gasol will be Hall of Fame eligible in 2023.

If you are not convinced about Gasol’s Hall of Fame candidacy, don’t forget that Springfield does care about International accomplishments, and Gasol has a treasure chest full of those.   This includes two Olympic Silver Medals, an Olympic Bronze, a World Cup Gold, and three EuroBasket Gold Medals.

If Gasol is not a first ballot Hall of Famer, we would be shocked.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to wish Pau Gasol the best in his post-playing career, and we thank him for the memories.

When people think of Pau Gasol, they will always think of the Los Angeles Lakers first.  They should, but don't sleep on his two years with the Chicago Bulls, where he played the most complete basketball of his career.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com are always looking to add new sections to our website.  Last month, we uploaded our top 100 active NFL players and how their Hall of Fame resumes stack up.  

We are doing the exact same thing with the NBA.

As opposed to 100 like we did in Football, we are going with only 50 in Basketball.  

We liked the idea that we used in Football with a modern “Modern Positional Average”, so we are doing something similar here.  With advanced analytics, we decided that we don’t have to isolate based on position so they are all on one list.

Inspired by Jay Jaffe’s JAWS statistic that looks at the best seven-year stretch of a baseball player according to bWAR, we are doing the same with current basketball players.  Specifically, we compiled the average PER, Win Shares and VORP for each of the past Hall of Famers based on their best seven-year period.  The additional thinking behind this is that in Basketball, there is an additional focus on periods of greatness as opposed to sports like Baseball, where compiling statistics is more glorified.

To keep everything modern, the average we used is the last 14 inductees, but only the ones who were Modern Era Inductees.  This excludes Direct-Elect Candidates (contributors, Early African-American Pioneers, International and Veterans).  The only exception is Vlade Divac, who was chosen via the International Committee, but has a healthy NBA career to draw upon.

As of this writing, the 14 players from the last four induction classes who we are using for the composite averages are:

Ray Allen, Maurice Cheeks, Vlade Divac, Bobby Jones, Grant Hill, Allen Iverson, Jason Kidd, Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming, Sidney Moncrief, Steve Nash, Shaquille O’Neal, Jack Sikma and Paul Westphal. 

While we are not looking at traditional statistics, we are averaging out All-Star Games and All-NBA Selections.  With the latter, we are looking at this in weighted fashion.  In terms of Third Team All-NBA Selections, one point will be assigned, Second Team All-NBA Selections will have two points will be granted, and First Team All-NBA Selections will have three points.  

Here are the averages:

Based on their elite seven-year stretch the average PER of the last 14 Modern Era Hall of Famers is 21.5.

Based on their elite seven-year stretch, the average Win Shares of the last 14 Modern Era Hall of Famers is 65.1.

Based on their elite seven-year stretch, the average VORP of the last 14 Modern Era Hall of Famers is 27.8.

With All-Star and All-NBA Selections, we look at the entire career of the player.  

The average All-Star Selections of the last 14 Modern Era Hall of Famers is 7.4.

The average All-Pro Selections (based on the pointed average of one for a Third Team, two for a Second Team and three for a First Team Selection) is 9.8.

We are also adding NBA Championships. Often,  players in this team sport more than any other (except for NFL Quarterbacks) are judged by the number of rings they have.  Perhaps, that shouldn't be as regarded as it is, considering the average amount of titles of our last 14 Modern Era Hall of Famers is less than 1.  Specifically, it is 0.79.

Wrapping this up in a bow, the six variables we are looking at Elite Period PER, Elite Period Win Shares, Elite Period VORP, All-Star Games, Weighted All-Pro Selections, NBA Championships.

This will be a regular feature on Notinhalloffame.com, and we will be updating this at the end of the season.

You can find our new section HERE.

As always, we here at Notinhalloffame.com thank all of you for your support!