Men's class of 2025 HOF nominees

[Hey Yo]

North America nominees

2008 United States Olympic team
Carmelo Anthony *
Rick Barnes
Billy Donovan*
Mark Few
Anfernee Hardaway
Dwight Howard*
Robert Horry*
Marques Johnson
Bill Laimbeer
Maurice Lucas
Shawn Marion
Doc Rivers (Coach)*
Amar'e Stoudamire*

Asterisk means 1st time nominee

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/naismith-basketball-hall-of-fame-carmelo-anthony-sue-bird-dwight-howard-headline-class-of-2025-candidates/

[highwhey]

if they put those bitches in before Amare, ima be fkn PISSED

there's a lot of collegiate level players this season that won't ever sniff an NBA roster, yet they can destroy those wnba players

[Reggie43]

Robert Horry?

[highwhey]

Robert Horry?

yes, he single-leggedley stopped the suns from winning a title.

[RRR3]

Robert Horry?
Might as well make nominate Derek Fisher lmfao

[Reggie43]

Might as well make nominate Derek Fisher lmfao

yep first thing that crossed my mind when I saw his name

[dankok8]

Melo and Dwight are surefire HOFers. Out of the others I'd only put Amare and Penny in. Horry was just a good role player and shouldn't make it.

[L.Kizzle]

North America nominees

2008 United States Olympic team
Carmelo Anthony *
Rick Barnes
Billy Donovan*
Mark Few
Anfernee Hardaway
Dwight Howard*
Robert Horry*
Marques Johnson
Bill Laimbeer
Maurice Lucas
Shawn Marion
Doc Rivers (Coach)*
Amar'e Stoudamire*

Asterisk means 1st time nominee

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/naismith-basketball-hall-of-fame-carmelo-anthony-sue-bird-dwight-howard-headline-class-of-2025-candidates/
Isn't Dwight still somewhat playing semi-pro?
Locks
Dwight
Carmelo
Amare

[Xiao Yao You]

Mark few gets my vote. Unimpressive otherwise but it is the hall for that

[Phoenix]

Man, I'm right on the line about Penny. He had a really good rookie campaign, an emerging star his 2nd year, maybe top 5 his third year and top 10 his 4th...then that was kind it. Was injured in 98, and by 99 was pretty much done as an elite player. The obvious comparisons would be to guys like Grant Hill, Derrick Rose and Tmac but those three were able to get in more star/superstar seasons and/or better solo accolades.

[Im so nba'd out]

Carmelo's last year was 2021.... no way thats right (checks). O i guess NBA is 3 years after retiring instead of 4 for hof induction? His last season was 2021-22. I knew i wasn't trippin. I was like its no way its been 4 years since carmelo was killin off the lakers bench

[Xiao Yao You]

Man, I'm right on the line about Penny. He had a really good rookie campaign, an emerging star his 2nd year, maybe top 5 his third year and top 10 his 4th...then that was kind it. Was injured in 98, and by 99 was pretty much done as an elite player. The obvious comparisons would be to guys like Grant Hill, Derrick Rose and Tmac but those three were able to get in more star/superstar seasons and/or better solo accolades.

Lets not forget his college coaching career!

[John8204]

Robert Horry?


Might as well make nominate Derek Fisher lmfao

Fisher is #2 all-time in playoff wins and Horry is the only man in 40 years to have 7 rings...three of which he was a major factor in. If Vlady, Sampson, Manu, and Cooper are in the hall then their are worst outliers than Fisher and Horry.

Of that list my ballot would be...

Carmelo Anthony *
Dwight Howard*
Marques Johnson
Bill Laimbeer
Doc Rivers

[RRR3]

Fisher is #2 all-time in playoff wins and Horry is the only man in 40 years to have 7 rings...three of which he was a major factor in. If Vlady, Sampson, Manu, and Cooper are in the hall then their are worst outliers than Fisher and Horry.

Of that list my ballot would be...

Carmelo Anthony *
Dwight Howard*
Marques Johnson
Bill Laimbeer
Doc Rivers
meltdown

[Carbine]

Fisher is #2 all-time in playoff wins and Horry is the only man in 40 years to have 7 rings...three of which he was a major factor in. If Vlady, Sampson, Manu, and Cooper are in the hall then their are worst outliers than Fisher and Horry.

Of that list my ballot would be...

Carmelo Anthony *
Dwight Howard*
Marques Johnson
Bill Laimbeer
Doc Rivers

Manu being in the HOF is rightly deserved. He is a HOF player even without any NBA accolades for what he did in the 2004 Olympics.

[Carbine]

Fisher is #2 all-time in playoff wins and Horry is the only man in 40 years to have 7 rings...three of which he was a major factor in. If Vlady, Sampson, Manu, and Cooper are in the hall then their are worst outliers than Fisher and Horry.

Of that list my ballot would be...

Carmelo Anthony *
Dwight Howard*
Marques Johnson
Bill Laimbeer
Doc Rivers

Manu being in the HOF is rightly deserved. He is a HOF player even without any NBA accolades for what he did in the 2004 Olympics.

[John8204]

meltdown

explain?

[bison]

North America nominees

2008 United States Olympic team
Carmelo Anthony *
Rick Barnes
Billy Donovan*
Mark Few
Anfernee Hardaway
Dwight Howard*
Robert Horry*
Marques Johnson
Bill Laimbeer
Maurice Lucas
Shawn Marion
Doc Rivers (Coach)*
Amar'e Stoudamire*

Asterisk means 1st time nominee

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/naismith-basketball-hall-of-fame-carmelo-anthony-sue-bird-dwight-howard-headline-class-of-2025-candidates/

Man they are really just letting anyone into the HOF now :facepalm: Half those guys don't deserve even a nomination.

[L.Kizzle]

Fisher is #2 all-time in playoff wins and Horry is the only man in 40 years to have 7 rings...three of which he was a major factor in. If Vlady, Sampson, Manu, and Cooper are in the hall then their are worst outliers than Fisher and Horry.

Of that list my ballot would be...

Carmelo Anthony *
Dwight Howard*
Marques Johnson
Bill Laimbeer
Doc Rivers

Sampson was College Player of the Year three straight years. Plus he was off to a great NBA start before the injures. I mean 4x All-Star. That's 1 less than Reggie Miller and Miller played 18 healthy seasons. Sampson, only 3 or I guess 4.

[Xiao Yao You]

Fisher is #2 all-time in playoff wins and Horry is the only man in 40 years to have 7 rings...three of which he was a major factor in. If Vlady, Sampson, Manu, and Cooper are in the hall then their are worst outliers than Fisher and Horry.

Of that list my ballot would be...

Carmelo Anthony *
Dwight Howard*
Marques Johnson
Bill Laimbeer
Doc Rivers

Sampson is in as a great college player. Vlade for international. Cooper was much better than fisher or horry Manu because he was one of the best. Worse than fisher and horry ? :roll:

[John8204]

Sampson was College Player of the Year three straight years. Plus he was off to a great NBA start before the injures. I mean 4x All-Star. That's 1 less than Reggie Miller and Miller played 18 healthy seasons. Sampson, only 3 or I guess 4.

I would call that an indictment of the All-Star system half of his playing career he played less than 30 games. This idea that well the writers and media loved the guy so he gets in but this player that constantly elevated his team to championships...screw that guy.

[Xiao Yao You]

Sampson was College Player of the Year three straight years. Plus he was off to a great NBA start before the injures. I mean 4x All-Star. That's 1 less than Reggie Miller and Miller played 18 healthy seasons. Sampson, only 3 or I guess 4.

Peaked as a rookie at center.

[Xiao Yao You]

I would call that an indictment of the All-Star system half of his playing career he played less than 30 games. This idea that well the writers and media loved the guy so he gets in but this player that constantly elevated his team to championships...screw that guy.

Fans and coaches voted. All star appearances certainly isnt the best measurement

[jlip]

As a native and fellow Memphian who watched Penny in high school and am probably one of his biggest fans, I can say with confidence that he does NOT deserve to be in the Hall of Fame. As great as he was for those first few years he simply was not able to demonstrate it long enough due to injury.

[Nowoco]

I love Penny Hardaway but no way should he be in the HoF. He'll probably get in though because they let everyone in.

I've said before about Robert Horry that as weak as his resume is HoF wise, he has a bigger legacy than loads of guys in the HoF. I wouldn't complain if he got in.

As for Bill Laimbeer, if Michael Cooper got in then Laimbeer has a very good case.

[L.Kizzle]

I love Penny Hardaway but no way should he be in the HoF. He'll probably get in though because they let everyone in.

I've said before about Robert Horry that as weak as his resume is HoF wise, he has a bigger legacy than loads of guys in the HoF. I wouldn't complain if he got in.

As for Bill Laimbeer, if Michael Cooper got in then Laimbeer has a very good case.
What is considered a legacy? Does he have a greater legacy than say Tracy McGrady because he won championship by being on the right team at the right time? Hell no. He's never carried a team to the playoffs. He's probably never even been double teamed in his entire career. He's only scored over 20+ points a handful of times. Hard to believe, right.
If George McCloud was put in the same position as Horry, he has 7 championships as well.

[John8204]

What is considered a legacy? Does he have a greater legacy than say Tracy McGrady because he won championship by being on the right team at the right time? Hell no. He's never carried a team to the playoffs. He's probably never even been double teamed in his entire career. He's only scored over 20+ points a handful of times. Hard to believe, right.
If George McCloud was put in the same position as Horry, he has 7 championships as well.

He won 7 championships...he's one of 9 people to do that and only one of them is still alive.

[L.Kizzle]

He won 7 championships...he's one of 9 people to do that and only one of them is still alive.
Okay ... he's also played with 10+ Hall of Famers and 3 Hall of Fame coaches.

Hakeem
Clyde
Kidd
Nash
Shaq
Kobe
Duncan
Parker
Ginobili
Rudy T
Phil
Pop

Other Allstars he's played with
Otis Thorpe
Sam Cassell
Michael Finley
Kevin Johnson
Danny Manny
Dan Majerle
Eddie Jones
Nick Van Exel
Cedric Cebalos
Glen Rice

Even the other role players he played with used to get more attention and recognition then him.
Vernon Maxwell
Kenny Smith
Derek Fisher
Rick Fox

Like I mentioned earlier, right place at the right time. History has changed him into some type of mythical figure because he hit a few jump shots (Yes a few.)

[RRR3]

Robert Horry making the HOF would be like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope making it. Another 3 and D guy with multiple rings. Maybe if KCP gets to 7 we'll start pretending he's a superstar :lol

[ShawkFactory]

Horry was a product of circumstance. Was he a good player and did he play his part on many of those championship teams? Sure.

Did he do what many other equal or better guys who aren’t in the hall couldn’t have done had they just happened to have played with some of the best players and organizations in the league at the time? Who’s to say but I’d vote no.

I know it’s not the end-all-be-all…but kind of tough to induct a player into the HOF who was never once even an All Star in their career, yea?

[RRR3]

Horry was a product of circumstance. Was he a good player and did he play his part on many of those championship teams? Sure.

Did he do what many other equal or better guys who aren’t in the hall couldn’t have done had they just happened to have played with some of the best players and organizations in the league at the time? Who’s to say but I’d vote no.

I know it’s not the end-all-be-all…but kind of tough to induct a player into the HOF who was never once even an All Star in their career, yea?
It's already been done, as crazy as that is, although there are could be cases where it's at least relatively justifiable (for instance I wouldn't complain about Mike Conley being in the HOF, and he made the ASG once, and it was only recently as an injury replacement after a big fan campaign). Michael Cooper, K.C. Jones, Frank Ramsey are the only guys who made it as players without ever being All-Stars off the top of my head. Cooper did win a DPOY though and was all-defense a bunch, while Ramsey's stats (relative to his era) actually look pretty good. KC Jones is just in because he won a bunch of rings with Bill Russell though.

[ShawkFactory]

It's already been done, as crazy as that is, although there are could be cases where it's at least relatively justifiable (for instance I wouldn't complain about Mike Conley being in the HOF, and he made the ASG once, and it was only recently as an injury replacement after a big fan campaign). Michael Cooper, K.C. Jones, Frank Ramsey are the only guys who made it as players without ever being All-Stars off the top of my head. Cooper did win a DPOY though and was all-defense a bunch, while Ramsey's stats (relative to his era) actually look pretty good. KC Jones is just in because he won a bunch of rings with Bill Russell though.

Don’t claim to know shit about Frank Ramsey.

Cooper had the defensive accolades as you mentioned. K.C Jones won two rings as a coach, which helped tremendously. Inducted in 1989 despite retiring in 67.

[RRR3]

Don’t claim to know shit about Frank Ramsey.

Cooper had the defensive accolades as you mentioned. K.C Jones won two rings as a coach, which helped tremendously. Inducted in 1989 despite retiring in 67.
Then he should have been inducted as a coach or contributor. They recently inducted Larry Costello as a contributor I guess because he was a successful coach as well as a player and they didn't want to induct him twice, but he was a 6 all-star and all-nba in 1961. That seems good enough to just be in as a player, but he's not and KC Jones is? It makes no sense.


Ramsey was very efficient (relative to his era) and finished in the top 20 in PPG 3 times. He was a wing who didn't get many assists, so modern wise on offense at least I guess he'd be like Khris Middleton?

[iamgine]

Hall of Fame is about subjective fame. The voters decide what "fame" is.

If someone win 15 titles but as a 12th option in all of them, he might get in because there's some "fame" about him.

[ShawkFactory]

Then he should have been inducted as a coach or contributor. They recently inducted Larry Costello as a contributor I guess because he was a successful coach as well as a player and they didn't want to induct him twice, but he was a 6 all-star and all-nba in 1961. That seems good enough to just be in as a player, but he's not and KC Jones is? It makes no sense.


Ramsey was very efficient (relative to his era) and finished in the top 20 in PPG 3 times. He was a wing who didn't get many assists, so modern wise on offense at least I guess he'd be like Khris Middleton?

It’s a combo of both with K.C though. If it was just as a coach he might not be in. As a player alone..didn’t get in.

I know there are categories but it seems like the narratives won and they let a true basketball guy into it. Which is fair.

[RRR3]

It’s a combo of both with K.C though. If it was just as a coach he might not be in. As a player alone..didn’t get in.

I know there are categories but it seems like the narratives won and they let a true basketball guy into it. Which is fair.
But if it was a combo of both he should be in as a contributor. They inducted him as a player despite having other categories.

I think you may be misunderstanding but there are 4 categories for induction, player, coach, pioneer/executive and contributor. KC Jones was inducted in the player category.

[L.Kizzle]

KC Jones was considered the best defensive guard of his era. He'd be All-Defense 1st team every year if it was around.

[ShawkFactory]

But if it was a combo of both he should be in as a contributor. They inducted him as a player despite having other categories.

I think you may be misunderstanding but there are 4 categories for induction, player, coach, pioneer/executive and contributor. KC Jones was inducted in the player category.

What if a decent amount of your “contribution” is as a player? It gets a little gray at times and I’m okay with it being case-by-case.

To my understanding, a contributor is generally someone who didn’t really play? And if they did it was insignificant.

Anyway..that’s kind of beside the point. Robert Horry is not a hall of fame player. He didn’t coach or contribute much else. I’d certainly like to have him on my team but absolutely not. Now..if he went out and won 2 rings as a coach? Different story.

Also, defensive accolades didn’t exist at the time and I’m sure K.C would have gotten him a few if they did.

[RRR3]

What if a decent amount of your “contribution” is as a player? It gets a little gray at times and I’m okay with it being case-by-case.

To my understanding, a contributor is generally someone who didn’t really play? And if they did it was insignificant.

Anyway..that’s kind of beside the point. Robert Horry is not a hall of fame player. He didn’t coach or contribute much else. I’d certainly like to have him on my team but absolutely not. Now..if he went out and won 2 rings as a coach? Different story.

Also, defensive accolades didn’t exist at the time and I’m sure K.C would have gotten him a few if they did.
No, plenty of contributors had long careers as players. Al Attles, the aforementioned Larry Costello (who was a 6x all-star and all-nba once, love to see them explain how he's not in as a player), Nat Clifton, Doug Collins, Wayne Embry (5x all-star, again not sure why he's in this category), Earl Lloyd, Tom Sanders and Rod Thorn. All those guys played 8+ seasons in the NBA and weren't benchwarmers. Based on precedent, KC Jones should be in as a contributor.

[RRR3]

KC Jones was considered the best defensive guard of his era. He'd be All-Defense 1st team every year if it was around.
He was also atrocious at scoring the ball. Let's induct Marcus Smart by this logic.

[L.Kizzle]

He was also atrocious at scoring the ball. Let's induct Marcus Smart by this logic.
I don't think you understand KCs influence on the game. He was the first to pressure the guard up the court. Basically getting the ball out of the guards hands.

[Lebron23]

The NBA needs to have it's own hall of fame. We have a PBA hall of fame only great players and good coaches were inducted from 2005-2013

[Hey Yo]

No, plenty of contributors had long careers as players. Al Attles, the aforementioned Larry Costello (who was a 6x all-star and all-nba once, love to see them explain how he's not in as a player), Nat Clifton, Doug Collins, Wayne Embry (5x all-star, again not sure why he's in this category), Earl Lloyd, Tom Sanders and Rod Thorn. All those guys played 8+ seasons in the NBA and weren't benchwarmers. Based on precedent, KC Jones should be in as a contributor.

Off the top of your head? ^^

[pandiani17]

Carmelo's last year was 2021.... no way thats right (checks). O i guess NBA is 3 years after retiring instead of 4 for hof induction? His last season was 2021-22. I knew i wasn't trippin. I was like its no way its been 4 years since carmelo was killin off the lakers bench

This is also my question. Did they change the rules or something? Also, wasn't Dwight playing until two years ago or something?

[Lakers Legend#32]

Hell No to Dwight Howard.

Or as Kobe would say, "Soft."

[bizil]

Melo and Dwight should be first ballot locks for DAMN SURE! Amare had an HOF caliber career for sure. BUT if I was going by the standards of Canton or Cooperstown, Amare wouldn't be a first ballot guy. But if he gets in on the 1st ballot good for him.

Melo and Dwight by Canton or Cooperstown standards are worthy of 1st ballot induction. The fact Horry is on the ballot to begin with is DISGRACEFUL!! Laimbeer with two rings has a better case BECAUSE at least he was a 4 time All Star with two rings. And he won a rebounding title. The only solo accolade Horry has to his name is the All Rookie team. And his college career certainly wasn't good enough to boost him in their.

When it came to Coop getting in this year, he was DPOY and 8 time All Defense. And was frankly the BLUEPRINT of the modern day 3 and D role player that teams covet today. PLUS he could play and defend PG,SG, SF AND was a freakish athletic to boot. ONCE AGAIN the type of role player teams covet today. And of course he has five rings to seal the deal. So Coop getting in at at this point is deserved. He wasn't a first ballot guy and had to wait. So his induction is deserved in my opinion. Horry has NO CASE GETTING IN AND SHOULD NEVER GET IN THE HOF!!

[Jasper]

Might as well make nominate Derek Fisher lmfao

good point .. that guy was a kobe licker for sure

[GoSpursGo1984]

Basketball Hall of Fame is such a joke. Pretty much every very good player gets in no integrity

[L.Kizzle]

Basketball Hall of Fame is such a joke. Pretty much every very good player gets in no integrity

That's not true. Probably only like 120 players are in for mainly their NBA work. If you take away a few names like Michael Cooper, KC Jones and Frank Ramsey, I think everyone in the Hall deserves it.

[GoSpursGo1984]

That's not true. Probably only like 120 players are in for mainly their NBA work. If you take away a few names like Michael Cooper, KC Jones and Frank Ramsey, I think everyone in the Hall deserves it.

Vince Carter was mainly known as a dunker
Tim Hardaway did not really accomplish anything
Chris Webber did not win anything
Grant Hill was injured for a majority of his career
Tracy Mcgrady did not win anything
Yao Ming mainly is in because his influence as the most famous Asian player
Alonzo Mourning did not win anything
Maurcice Cheeks was a averaged 11 points a game for his career and was only a 4 time All Star
Vlade Divac like Cheeks averaged 11 points a game for his career and was an All Star one time
Mitch Richmond best MVP finish was 13th and had 0 All NBA First Team
Joe Dumars averaged 16 points a game and best MVP finish was 10th
Carmelo Anthony scored a lot of points but did not make the teams he was on better

[RRR3]

Vince Carter was mainly known as a dunker
Tim Hardaway did not really accomplish anything\
Chris Webber did not win anything
Grant Hill was injured for a majority of his career
Tracy Mcgrady did not win anything
Yao Ming mainly is in because his influence as the most famous Asian player
Alonzo Mourning did not win anything
Maurcice Cheeks was a averaged 11 points a game for his career and was only a 4 time All Star
Vlade Divac like Cheeks averaged 11 points a game for his career and was an All Star one time
Mitch Richmond best MVP finish was 13th and had 0 All NBA First Team
Joe Dumars averaged 16 points a game and best MVP finish was 10th
Skip Bayless tier analysis.

[GoSpursGo1984]

Skip Bayless tier analysis.

So when you can't refute it you turn to insults

[Real Men Wear Green]

Just because Carter was most famous for dunking doesn't mean that it's all he could do. He was one of the most dangerous scorers at his peak and a good shooter. He wasn't the best player in the league but that's not the standard. Acting like he was just a funkier is a bit ignorant. The statements on Hardaway Webber and others were of similar poor quality.

[Nowoco]

Alonzo Mourning did not win anything

https://i.redd.it/bgfvm9m0sy581.jpg

[L.Kizzle]

Vince Carter was mainly known as a dunker
Tim Hardaway did not really accomplish anything
Chris Webber did not win anything
Grant Hill was injured for a majority of his career
Tracy Mcgrady did not win anything
Yao Ming mainly is in because his influence as the most famous Asian player
Alonzo Mourning did not win anything
Maurcice Cheeks was a averaged 11 points a game for his career and was only a 4 time All Star
Vlade Divac like Cheeks averaged 11 points a game for his career and was an All Star one time
Mitch Richmond best MVP finish was 13th and had 0 All NBA First Team
Joe Dumars averaged 16 points a game and best MVP finish was 10th
Carmelo Anthony scored a lot of points but did not make the teams he was on better

So, how many people should be in the Hall of these guys aren't it. About 25. I mean Barkley didn't win anything, George Gervin didn't win anything, Elgin Baylor didn't win anything, Patrick Ewing didn't win anything, Alex English didn't win anything.
The Hall should just be Magic, Bird, Jordan, Russell and Wilt.

[Lebron23]

It's the basketball hall of fame not the NBA hall of fame

[GoSpursGo1984]

So, how many people should be in the Hall of these guys aren't it. About 25. I mean Barkley didn't win anything, George Gervin didn't win anything, Elgin Baylor didn't win anything, Patrick Ewing didn't win anything, Alex English didn't win anything.
The Hall should just be Magic, Bird, Jordan, Russell and Wilt.

Barkley and Ewing were considered top ten players for a good majority of their careers. They did not need to win anything they had many years in top 5 MVp. How many players do you want in the Hall of Fame? What is the point of a Hall of Fame if every very good players is put in?

[Lakers Legend#32]

Nobody really jumps out.

And hell no to Dwight (Soft) Howard.