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This was the weakest year, meaning it was probably his best opportunity at entrance. He was an elite defender and rebounder - the best of his era. I thought he was a shoe-in this year. Hopefully the HoF committee comes to their senses next year.

ElectricMayhem wrote:This was the weakest year, meaning it was probably his best opportunity at entrance. He was an elite defender and rebounder - the best of his era. I thought he was a shoe-in this year. Hopefully the HoF committee comes to their senses next year.

They tend to wait on players like Ben. Rodman was elligable for 5 years before he got in. Give it time- I see no reason why he won’t eventually get there.

Greatness without great point totals is devalued for the HOF. Putting the ball in the basket remains the #1 criteria.

Big Ben could be argued as a better defensive player than Rodman but it’s his flaws offensively that voters look down on. Obviously to make it in the first year of eligibility the majority of voters have to think that he’s a hands down, no doubt about it HOF player RELATIVE TO OTHER HOF PLAYERS. That’s the part that doesn’t make him a shoo-in because he’d be the only top tier defensive HOF player who had nearly zero offensive game. But yeah, the 4 DPOY’s and rebounding numbers will eventually get him in, especially now that the league has shifted away from tough defense. Thus comparatively Ben’s defensive metrics look insane by today’s measures.


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Manocad wrote:Big Ben could be argued as a better defensive player than Rodman but it’s his flaws offensively that voters look down on. Obviously to make it in the first year of eligibility the majority of voters have to think that he’s a hands down, no doubt about it HOF player RELATIVE TO OTHER HOF PLAYERS. That’s the part that doesn’t make him a shoo-in because he’d be the only top tier defensive HOF player who had nearly zero offensive game. But yeah, the 4 DPOY’s and rebounding numbers will eventually get him in, especially now that the league has shifted away from tough defense. Thus comparatively Ben’s defensive metrics look insane by today’s measures.


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I view the two as roughly similar in caliber.

It's also possible that Rodman's off the court issues held him back. Either way, I'd expect to see Ben inducted within the next few years.

I personally view the Basketball Hall of Fame as being way too inclusive relative to those in other sports, but given the standards that have been set there's no way he never gets in.

Eventually he will

I don't get Bobby Jones over him. Both were great defenders, but Ben's impact was greater.

Laimbeer wrote:I don't get Bobby Jones over him. Both were great defenders, but Ben's impact was greater.

Bobby Jones was waiting longer.

I’m not saying that’s how it should work, but it’s very clear that’s how it does work.

ElectricMayhem wrote:This was the weakest year, meaning it was probably his best opportunity at entrance. He was an elite defender and rebounder - the best of his era. I thought he was a shoe-in this year. Hopefully the HoF committee comes to their senses next year.

Have you seen the two years from now where Paul Pierce will be the only first ballot? That's going to be the weakest year to get in. If Wallace doesn't make it next year in the strong Kobe, KG, Duncan class, he will make it 2021 with Pierce!

The NBA hall of fame is weird. Most great players get in. They just like to make it seem more exclusive by making them wait a couple years.

If I'm being honest though, I don't think ben deserves it. At his peak, he was an absolute defensive and rebounding beast. It just didn't last that long though. He had maybe a 6 year run where he was Big Ben and then 9 other years where he was nowhere near HOF level. If an offensive player had such a short run as an elite scorer, I'd find it hard to say they deserve it either.