The NBA is in a state of transition. WIth many of today's stars nearing their 30's or already on the wrong side of 30, it's time to evaluate who truly belongs in the NBA Hall of Fame, who's questionable for selection, and who has put together a productive career, but probably hasn't done enough to be immortalized among the all time greats. I put together a list of 25 players for consideration. All are on the backside of their careers and most should retire within the next 5 years. Despite a huge exodus of such quality players, the NBA is currently in a reloading phase. Consider the talent of last year's #1 and #2 picks, Oden and Durant- both possess Hall of Fame potential. Consider this year's college freshman class led by Beasley, Rose, Gordan, Love, etc., etc. Consider that James, Carmelo, Wade, Paul, Stat, Bosh, D. Williams, and D. Howard are all younger than 25. Then consider this- in five years the NBA may be loaded with more Hall of Fame type players than at any other point in league history.
But this article is about the here and now. Your opinions are greatly appreciated. Do you agree? Did I miss someone deserving of mention? Are my standards for induction too harsh?
NBA HALL OF FAME
Shoo-ins
Shaquille O' Neal, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd, Allen Iverson, Tim Duncan
?????'s
Dirk Nowitzki, Steve Nash, Ray Allen, Chris Webber, Vince Carter, Tracy McGrady
Good career, but not HOF material
Paul Pierce, Grant Hill, Dikembe Mutombo, Alonzo Mourning, Marcus Camby, Elton Brand, Michael Finley, Bruce Bowen, Rasheed Wallace, Chauncey Billups, Richard Hamilton, Shawn Marion, Mike Bibby
It's pathetic- I know this already, but the urge is irresistable. For my very first blog posting on Fox Sports I'm following millions and millions of other red blooded Americans and doing a... drum roll please... a NFL mock draft!!!
In all honesty, in any given draft, and it seems to be this way every year- the only picks which are intriguing to me are the first 6-7. After said picks the talent level and hype surrounding the other players seems to drop off dramatically.
In another development related to the first five picks of the draft I must say I'm disappointed in the NFL's rookie pay scale system, or lack thereof, which basically eliminates the possibility of any trades. I love when teams make huge franchise altering trades to jump into the top five to draft a player they covet and ultimately probably overpay for. In recent years this has become even more true with the ridiculous contracts paid out to the first five picks and even more so, the first three. Why would any team want to bundle together valuable draft picks and players for the right to take an unproven college kid and pay him guaranteed money that in all likelihood would make him the highest paid player on the team? They don't and that takes some of the fun out of the draft for rubes like me. Yea, it's still possible, but we fans have to rely on the crazy owners of the league to make that a reality. Think Al Davis, Jerry Jones, or Dan Snyder. Not coincidentally, I have Mr. Jones making a play into the top five to grab his man D-Mac. So without further ado, here is my first, but certainly not last 2008 NFL first round mock draft!
1. Dolphins- Jake Long
2. Rams- Chris Long
3. Falcons- Matt Ryan
4. Raiders- Vernon Gholston
5. Chiefs- Trade w/Cowboys- Darren McFadden
6. Jets- Sedrick Ellis
7. Patriots- Aqib Talib
8. Ravens- Ryan Clady
9. Bengals- Glenn Dorsey
10. Saints- Mike Jenkins
11. Bills- Derrick Harvey
12. Broncos- Chris Williams
13. Panthers- Malcolm Kelly
14. Bears- Rashard Mendenhall
15. Lions- Kentawn Balmer
16. Cardinals- Leodis McKelvin
17. Vikings- James Hardy
18. Texans- Jonathon Stewart
19. Eagles- Phillip Merling
20. Buccaneers- DeSean Jackson
21. Redskins- Limas Sweed
22. Cowboys- Chiefs- Jeff Otah
23. Steelers- Kenny Phillips
24. Titans- Devin Thomas
25. Seahawks- Keith Rivers
26. Jaguars- Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie
27. Chargers- Felix Jones
28. Cowboys- Chiefs- Branden Albert
29. 49ers- Sam Baker
30. Packers- Antoine Cason
31. ha ha
32. Giants- Dan Connor
Notes: I'm assuming anybody who takes the time to read this knows which school and what position each player went to and played. Instead of me leaving comments on each selection, I'll leave that up to you, because I know you have an opinion.
