Hall of Fame Class of 2009 Announced

[Clutch]

that's true, like who the fuck are you to ME? i guess that IS the thing about perception

but thanks for the reply though and letting me vent on something in the media that set me off; your comment is something to consider

[benji]

My point was that Adrian isn't wrong and can't criticize Jordan just because he can't play at the same level as Jordan. If that was the case basically the only person alive even possibly allowed to criticize Jordan would be LeBron James. And who would you be to criticize him since he has a NYT bestseller.

These people are making up a criticism for two reasons. One, they have nothing else to talk about (this is why they spent weeks on a dunk video or where Iverson was going to sign and why they'll talk about this over things like the mega Sessions signing, etc.), and the best way to get famous is to be the person who can out-outrage all the other "pundits" out there. Two, a lot of them likely bought into the specially crafted media image of Jordan as someone who is simply otherworldly. When Jordan shows any touch of humanity (and especially with someone who is otherworldly like Robinson) it shatters the crafted image they've bought into.

If they had paid attention to all the lousy crap Jordan has done over the years instead of trying to justify it away or look the other way, the speech wouldn't even be talked about as it's a blip on the radar.

Same thing with Obama, same thing with celebrities, etc. These aren't journalists, they're storywriters. They try to create some grand narrative ("Kobe has turned unselfish and now the Lakers are winning!" "The team has too many good players!") no matter how many facts it runs against and they'd rather ignore bad news or try to claim it's a smear campaign than admit or explain why they were wrong. (Van Jones/ACORN/etc., Jacksons alleged pedophile/drug problems, so on.) Their job is to ramble on a bunch of things they actually don't have a clue about, nor do they want to put in any kind of effort to know the truth, but are just reacting emotionally to things and passing off their feelings as facts.

These guys are sportswriters because they're either wannabe pundits or men.

[Drex]

Now I'm starting to wonder how Kobe's speech will be in a couple years.

[shadowgrin]

Samaki Walker better be recognized by Kobe.

[NovU]

I can already hear Kobe fans chanting "Kobe #1 best ever!".

[The X]

I thought the following ESPN read re MJ's HOF speech was better than Yahoo one:

http://sports.espn.go.com/chicago/columns/story?columnist=greenberg_jon&id=4468210

[Andrew]

I'd agree that it's a fairer take than Wojnarowki's, though I still think his speech is being taken out of context and being made out to be more vitriolic and egotistical than it was, at least in my opinion. If nothing else it could've been much worse, as Kanye West has proven. At least MJ had the floor when he made his speech, Kanye's stunt was unbelievable even by celebrity standards.

[The X]

I know it's a small bump but didn't feel like creating whole new topic for 2010 Hall of Fame discussion. I'm thinking Karl Malone & Scottie Pippen seem to be both locks, so there might only be 2 players inducted next year. If there were a third, I'd probably say the following 5 players deserve strong consideration:

Tom Chambers - About 20,000 points (18.1ppg) over his career plus an unstoppable dunk in old Sega Genesis EA bball games
Dennis Johnson - About 15,500 points (14.1ppg), 4,000 rebounds (3.9rpg), 5,500 assists (5.0apg) & 1.500 steals (1.3spg) over his career
Bernard King - About 20,000 points (22.5ppg) over his career & should be in the HOF
Chris Mullin - About 18,000 points (18.2ppg) over his career & member of Original Dream Team
Dennis Rodman - About 12,000 rebounds (13.1rpg) over his career & liked to wear dresses

I know you could mention other players like Mitch Richmond (21.0ppg scorer & 20,000 points), but if there are going to be three players, it'll probably be Malone, Pip & one more from above list. Then again, if Nique wasn't 1st ballot then there is no guarantee that Pip is either.

[Andrew]

Pippen and Malone have to be locks. That third player is a tough call...I'd kind of like to see Rodman inducted but DJ's induction is longer overdue so I guess he should get the nod.

[The X]

You might find they only induct 2 players next year. On average only about 2 players, 1 NBA coach, 1 college coach & 1 women are inducted each year.

[Andrew]

That's true, with Jordan, Stockton and Robinson eligible this year they couldn't really leave one out. If they just induct two NBA players next year then it's definitely going to be Pippen and Malone. I can't see them snubbing either of them first ballot.

[The X]

Yep, I think just the 2 will be in, then the following year one of the above list plus Reggie Miller will be the Class of 2011.

[Andrew]

Glancing through some of the other players that would be eligible in 2011, I can't see Reggie not getting in first ballot unless they decide to induct two of the long standing snubs instead of a newly eligible candidate and that seems unlikely. If I had to make a prediction, I'd say DJ goes in with Reggie that year.