The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame announced its Class of 2018 today with 13 new inductees from across the basketball spectrum. Most prominent for NBA fans are five perimeter players who established themselves as among the best ever at their positions: Grant Hill, Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, Ray Allen and Maurice Cheeks.
All five posted strong Hall of Fame credentials, but part of the fun of sports is arguing about who was the best:
- Before an injury derailed his career in the late 1990s, Hill was putting up MVP-type numbers each year, finishing third in the voting in 1997. A seven-time All-Star, he popularized the concept of a “point forward” and averaged 7.3 assists per game during the 1996/97 season. A bad ankle limited him to a total of 47 games in what should have been four of his prime seasons, but he recovered and was able to stay in the league until age 40.
- Kidd was a triple-double machine who led the Nets to the finals twice, then won a title late in his career with the Mavericks. A 10-time All-Star, he led the NBA in assists five times in a six-year period and finished second in the 2002 MVP voting. Kidd is second in career assists and steals and ranks ninth in made 3-pointers.
- Nash won back-to-back MVP awards in 2005 and 2006 and finished second in the voting in 2007. An eight-time All-Star, he is best known as the creative force behind the high-scoring Suns team from last decade. One of the game’s most accurate shooters, Nash posted four seasons in the 50/40/90 club.
- Allen holds the record for most 3-pointers with 2,973 and was a 40% career shooter from long distance. He was a huge scorer for Milwaukee and Seattle, and later became a 3-point threat for championship teams in Boston and Miami. A 10-time All-Star, Allen was one of the most feared shooters in the league for 18 seasons.
- Cheeks was a talented two-way point guard for Sixers teams that were among the league’s best throughout the 1980s. Though he was often overshadowed by more famous teammates, Cheeks was an important contributor, making four All-Star teams and four All-Defensive first teams. He ranks fifth in career steals and 11th in assists.
We want your opinion on these new Hall of Famers. If you could take one of them in his prime to build a team around, which one would you choose? Jump into the comments section below and give us your pick.
Ray Ray
Nash
Allen
Kids
Hill
Cheeks
Loved Hill.
Of that group, id probably take Allen last.
Nash
Kidd
Cheeks
Hill
Allen
I don’t really have a problem with Allen making the Hall, but he was never a first option on a good team. Most of the time he was either the second option on a decent Milwaukee team or third option on a great Boston team. When he was the first option, his teams rarely won more than 35 games.
In their primes and no injuries? I think I’d take Hill. Otherwise its a tossup between Nash and Kidd. Kidd was the better all-around player but Nash was the better offensive player (imo).
In their primes, Hill all the way. It’s just too bad his prime was the shortest.
Grant’s prime was 6 years. The rest were avg at best. Surprised he got in. While have to respect Nash 2x MVP and Kidd was obv an all time gamer, give me the best shooter in the game. You can put Ray with any player. No champ did it all by himself. Kobe had Shaq, Pau, and Bynum. Robinson had Duncan then Duncan with Parker, Ginobili. 1st or 2nd option doesn’t matter I’d take Ray over the others. If I need a shot, Ray is my guy if Big Shot Bob isn’t around lol.
Big Shot Bob? So Allen is your guy if Robert Horry isn’t around? Robert Horry…the guy lucky enough to be on the right team at the right time. The 7th option on championship teams. That Robert Horry? That should tell you enough that Allen is not the best on this list.
LOL. I thought he was gonna pivot and say Steph when he said the best shooter in the game
Jason Kidd.
When you needed scoring – he scored.
Needed rebounds – he got them.
Looking for a playmaker-type of game – he was there.
Adjusted his game nightly to the needs of his team and teammates.
Great (on-the-court) role model to use when coaching kids.