For the most part in speaking about NBA players in the Basketball Hall of Fame, players tend to fall into two rough classes — those who have the sheer level of top-level play almost regardless of team success (see Charles Barkley) and those who were mostly all-star level players who have sufficient team success (see Robert Parish, James Worthy) to warrant induction. Spot role players like K.C. Jones are very rare entries — and even K.C. got inducted by a veterans committee while he was in the spotlight as the Celtics coach in the late 1980s.

Mark Jackson simply doesn’t fall into any of those categories. He played on teams that did have various levels of success (including starting for the East champion Indiana Pacers in the 2000), but the primary problem is that he wasn’t more than a slightly above average player who happened to play a long time.

With that, Gary Payton should be a first-ballot choice. The Glove was a perennial all-star and all-NBA player who was a nine-time NBA All-Defensive team member. You can make the case for Payton being one of the top six or seven point guards in NBA history.

The Guys Who should wait a bit
The Glove – Gary’s a Shoo in but he’s not a first ballot hall of famer
Mark Jackson – He has the numbers but he never had that “Hall of fame perception”
Rick Pitino – wait until he retires
George McGinnis – I think he’ll eventually make it, but I don’t think it will be next year

The Guys I’m Iffy on
Mitch Richmond – If you were to ask me months ago if Mitch Richmond should be a Hall of Famer I would have laughed, but the truth is, During his career, he was a better version of Reggie Miller. I know it sounds crazy, but it’s true. Look at the All-NBA Team lists. Reggie Miller made three third teams, but Richmond made 3 Second Teams, and 2 third teams. Reggie was a 5 time all-star in 18 years, Mitch was a 6 time all-star in 13 years and was the MVP in 95. He was also the Rookie of the Year, his rookie season, and has better career averages in points, rebounds, and assists, all while shooting 39% from three ( Reggie Shot 39.5%). If Reggie can get in, shouldn’t Mitch Richmond?

Tim Hardaway – Matt says he’s an easy pick, and when you look at his career numbers they’re pretty good (better than Reggie Miller’s actually) , but Kevin Johnson has better career averages, put up some pretty historic seasons statistically (three straight seasons of 20 pts and 10 assists), and has 5 all-nba team selections (4 2nd teams). Why is it that Tim Hardaway is an easy pick, but Kevin Johnson isn’t even up for discussion?

1. Bernard King, North American Committee.

4. Tim Hardaway, North American.

6. Mitch Richmond, North American.

7. Maurice Cheeks, North American.

8. George McGinnis, ABA.

9. Rick Pitino, North American.

They deserve it!!!

Jerry Krause did not do enough to be worthy of the HOF!!! He had Phil Jackson and no one is good or at their best without him!!!

If you elect stupidity when common sense is in your face you don’t deserve respect!!!!

Krause did that. He was a bad GM without Phil for a reason. He hired Tim Floyd (ugh) as a replacement, traded Elton Brand in his prime for a worse and raw Tyson Chandler, and signed crap guys like Kornel David, Dragan Tarlac, Eddie Robinson, and drafted Dalibor Bagaric.

Phil Jackson was the real architect!!! Jackson is smart enough to identify talent. Why else was Dennis Rodman in Chicago?

If Krause was so great why not go to another team and build success there??

Jerry West says he left Los Angeles because Phil Jackson’s presence made him feel unwelcome. He helped turn around the Grizzlies. Ernie Grunfeld’s resume is better than Krause’s because Krause did as many or more bad things as he did during the Jordan years. No one has hired him even as a consultant!!!!!!!!! If he’s so good why does no one want him???

Yes he has 6 titles, but Rod Thorn drafted Jordan, Phil Jackson wanted and ultimately got Rodman; but from 1999-2003 Krause did enough to not get in. At least Jerry West good stuff with LA and Memphis after the 1980′s!!!!

Ernie Grunfeld turned around every franchise that he touched; the Knicks, Bucks, and Wizards. He doesn’t deserve to be there now, but Krause has no NBA job for a reason.

Jordan, Pippen, Rodman/Grant (you need a big man to get a title. Go ask Chris Bosh), and Phil Jackson made Krause. Krause elected stupidity after they left and people sitting at home knew how bad he was!!! They knew what was a good and bad move because the moves he made were obvious (mainly the bad ones)!!!

To smear your legacy with what you did from 1999-2003 makes you very unworthy for the hall because smart and able people don’t act THAT stupid!!!!!

Not to get off an NBA topic, but Krause was a YANKEES scout during the mid-2000′s!!! A scout!!!! They fired his after a few years anyways because they were playoff bound with or without him because they were the ‘Damn Yankees’ with George Steinbrenner’s money!!!!! HE STUNK ON PLAYOFF BOUND TEAM AND HE WORKED AS A SCOUT FOR THE WHITE SOX TOO!!!

Why is Krause so special???? He isn’t!!!! NO HOF FOR HIM AT ALL!!!