DarkKnight wrote:Take off the carter-hate glasses everyone. He's a pretty sure-fire HOFer if he finishes out his career in normal fashion. You don't need to take my word for it - check basketball-reference.com.
Thanks, cool site!
They also have this: "Keltner List, that tried-and-true staple of sabermetric-type analysis ever since Bill James introduced it way back in the 1985 Baseball Abstract. The format is simple: it's an inventory of yes-or-no questions designed to assess whether or not a player deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. It's not numerical, nor is it strictly objective, but after going through the list you typically get a pretty good feel for the player's HoF-worthiness."
Let's try it out, I'll start though it will have to involve some projections:
1. Was he ever regarded as the best player in basketball? Did anybody, while he was active, ever suggest that he was the best player in basketball?
Don't see this happening to Bosh ever. For a while there, there was the suggestion that Carter may become the greatest player in basketball if not be it already.
2. Was he the best player on his team?
Yes for Bosh and Carter
3. Was he the best player in basketball at his position?
You could argue Carter was. Bosh may attain this level for a year or two as Garnet and Duncan get older.
4. Did he have an impact on a number of NBA Finals or Conference Finals?
So far: No for both
5. Was he good enough that he could play regularly after passing his prime?
Given good health I think they both will be able to. Carter due to his incredible natural talents, even at 75% he's still way above the average and Bosh due to his diligence.
6. Is he the very best (eligible) basketball player in history who is not in the Hall of Fame?
NA
7. Are most players who have comparable statistics in the Hall of Fame?
If they both reach their predicted benchmarks (20,000 points etc) as has been mentioned in this thread they both will have HOF statistics.
8. Do the player's numbers meet Hall of Fame standards?
Kind of the same question as the last one.
9. Is there any evidence to suggest that the player was significantly better or worse than is suggested by his statistics?
Here is where we could debate all year long. I'm going to leave it alone, as the book isn't finished on either Bosh or Carter.
10. Is he the best player at his position who is eligible for the Hall of Fame?
NA, not eligible yet.
11. How many MVP-type seasons did he have? Did he ever win an MVP award? If not, how many times was he close?
Hard to say, but I doubt Bosh is ever a top 3 MVP candidate, though I'd love him to porve me wrong. How close did Carter get?
12. How many All-Star-type seasons did he have? How many All-Star games did he play in? Did most of the players who played in this many All-Star games go into the Hall of Fame?
Bosh at 25 already has 4 all-star appearances. I'd bet he gets 10, maybe more before he is done. Carter's at 8 and counting, though he hasn't gone since 2007.
13. If this man were the best player on his team, would it be likely that the team could win an NBA title?
This one works against them both. Carter doesn't have the edge, Bosh doesn't have the natural gifts. I'd say no to both.
14. What impact did the player have on basketball history? Was he responsible for any rule changes? Did he introduce any new equipment? Did he change the game in any way? Was his college and/or international career especially noteworthy?
Another one for debate. Carter did make quite a splash but was it all flash, no cash?
The Verdict: I think they'll both make it, though neither will be first ballot entries.
I'd love to see your take on these questions! Justcopy and paste them and put in your answers.
