John Stockton and Michael Jordan headline this year's Naismith class, along with David Robinson. Jordan and Stockton are absolute locks. Any thoughts on the others on the list (in this article)?
I think Robinson is also a lock. Would love to see Mullin get in....he was one of the best pure shooters the NBA ever saw, but was also an unselfish team player who did everything in the flow of the game rather than just jacking up shots to increaes his average.
Chris Mullin would easily be a shoe in finalist had he not endured some nagging injuries later in his career. All his numbers, though nice as they are, would have been up there with the all-time best. People say he was a pure shooter, which he was, but he was an all-around fantastic player. As an avid Warrior fan at the time, during the fun Run TMC days, you always knew the Warriors would be in the game until the end, primarily because of Mullin. He was just flat out fun to watch. I thought he was pretty creative with ball, driving the lane, and always picked up the foul (which translated to a for sure foul shot), ran tirelessly without the ball to get open, played great team defence, with his quick hands, stole and blocked the ball more than people realized. As times fades, people are losing respect for his game and how complete it was. I keep asking myself lately, "we are the Chris Mullin's today?"
For some video evidence reminiscing on Mully , check this out (I didn't make or pick out the music- though it is old school in nature). BTW: Who ever said Mully had no hops, 2:22 is my favorite Mully highlight of his "non-athleticism". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWJFhuZsMq4&feature=relat ed
Chris had one sweet offensive game. Had he been sober to start his career, would be a HOF lock. Beer and basketball don't mix -- unfortunately!
Guys like Mullin and Bernard King (in this years class)are hurt because there were so many high scoring swing men of that era that could just fill it up. In this era they would be much more appreciated. I think they should both get in eventually. Don Nelson shouldn't; I think he's a crazy genius, but is just so damn hung up on using a system that will never win a championship.
Yeah, I agree on those two -- Mullin and King eventually, but can't throw them in with the category of guys on this ballot for the first time. There are few things sweeter than a 26 ppg '80s NBA forward! As a Carolina fan, I love Big Game James -- but he's not necessarily more talented than guys who scored more but weren't on championship teams in that era.
I agree. This year's class with Jordan, Stockton and Robinson is too tough to crack. Mullin did have a drinking problem early in his career but when he cleaned up, he had an all around sweet game to watch (good points, SoberWF and thanks for the link)
Jordan, Stockton, and Robinson will make it, there's no doubt for a second on those three. But, Mullin, and B. King? We'll have to give them a few more years. You see, unlike the 1st three mentioned, Mullin and King have had injury riddled careers, and it will take more time for experts to access how worthy they are for the Hall of Fame.
