It’s going to be an emotional scene in Springfield this fall. The Basketball Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2020 over the weekend, and as expected it’s headlined by Kobe Bryant. It will likely be the first public appearance for his wife, Vanessa and their children since Kobe and daughter Gianna were among the nine victims of January’s helicopter crash in California.
From a purely basketball standpoint, it was already going to be a loaded class. Kobe leads the way in a group that features Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett, as well as Tamika Catchings, perhaps the greatest women’s player ever, among other coaches and executives. But where does this class of players rank compared to other Hall of Fame classes?
5) 1993: There are classes with better NBA players - though a headline of Julius Erving and Bill Walton certainly isn't bad. Between the ABA and NBA, Dr. J went ot 16 All-Star games, was a 12-time all-league player, won four MVP awards and three championships, along with changing the way we think of dunking. Walton was derailed by injuries, but still won both a MVP and Finals MVP, along with all of his collegiate achievements.
Other inductees in ’93 include Calvin Murphy (17,949 points), Walt Bellamy (20,941 points, still ninth all-time with 13.7 rebounds per game), Dick McGuire, a seven-time All-Star in the 1950s and Dan Issel (six ABA All-Star appearances). But what pushes this class from “good” to “great” is the women.
Ann Meyers was so good that she made the U.S. national team in high school, was the first female to sign a four-year college scholarship, was a three-time All-American at UCLA and won three championships in the WPBL. And you’ve probably never heard of Uljana Semjonova, but the seven-footer won 15 championships in the Soviet Union and 15 Euro Champion’s Cups. She also won two gold medals, and as a member of the Soviet national team – spanning 18 years – never lost a game.
4) 2016: Two of the biggest personalities were inducted the same year in Shaquille O’Neal and Allen Iverson. Shaq is tenth all-time in scoring, was a 14-time All-NBA performer, won four titles, was Finals MVP three times and a regular season MVP in 2000. AI won four scoring titles and was the MVP in 2001, when he single-handedly carried the Sixers to the Finals.
But let’s not forget the other members of the class. Yao Ming’s NBA career hit a ceiling because of injuries, but he influenced the game more than perhaps anyone since Jordan – to say he’s immensely popular internationally is a massive understatement. Zelmo Beaty and Cumberland Posey are names for historians to rave about. And then Sheryl Swoopes was the star of the early WNBA years, winning three MVP awards and four championships.
3) 1980: Jerry West and Oscar Robertson are both among the greatest players of all-time. West was a 12-time All-NBA performer who averaged 27 points per game (fifth all-time). His 29.1 PPG average in the postseason is second to only Michael Jordan, and West remains the only player to win Finals MVP while on a losing team. The Big O was named to 11 All-NBA teams and did it all. Upon retirement he was the all-time leader in assists and second in points, and his 181 triple-doubles are still the league record.
Jerry Lucas was fifth all-time in rebounding when he retired, and is still fourth all-time in rebounds per game (15.6) to go along with seven All-Star appearances, five All-NBA nods and the 1973 championship as a reserve with the Knicks.
2) 2009: The class is headlined by His Airness, Michael Jordan. That alone vaults the 2009 class up fairly high. Take all of Jordan’s accomplishments – six rings, six Finals MVPs, five MVPs, fifth all-time in scoring, 10 scoring titles, and the endless other milestones – then add in David Robinson and John Stockton. The Admiral made 10 All-NBA teams, eight All-Defensive teams, a Defensive Player of the Year award and an MVP, along with a pair of titles. Stockton remains the league’s all-time leader in assists and steals – dishing out 3,715 more dimes and pick-pocketing 581 more balls than second place.
Of course, all three were members of the 1992 “Dream Team”, a squad that itself is a member of the Hall of Fame.
1) 2020: Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett are three of the top 21 scorers in NBA history with a combined 48 All-Star appearances, 39 All-NBA nods, 39 All-Defensive honors, 11 championships, five Finals MVPs and four regular season MVPs. They combined for 86,654 points, highlighted by Kobe sitting third all-time, and all three are among the top-15 in minutes and games played. Duncan is top-10 all-time in both blocks and rebounds, while Garnett is 10th in the latter.
Then add in Tamika Catchings, a 12-time All-WNBA performer who won five Defensive Player of the Year awards, a regular season MVP and a Finals MVP. She also leads the WNBA in postseason scoring, rebounding and steals.
