NBA: Who Gets A Hall of Fame Pass?

1. LeBron James
2. Manu Ginobili
3. Dwight Howard
4. Dirk Nowitzki

It's difficult to fathom the "On The Way" list having more names on it than the "In" list.

Ginobili is on the list because of what he's accomplished in Europe, the NBA, and in International play. I wouldn't be surprised if he made it and I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't.

All of the other guys on the list, including Dirk, have the chance to redefine their respective positions. 

OUT

1. Gilbert Arenas
2. Chauncey Billups
3. Tracy McGrady
4. Paul Pierce
5. Steve Nash
6. Vince Carter
7. Jermaine O'Neal
8. Chris Webber
9. Alonzo Mourning
10. Michael Finley
11. Baron Davis
12. Robert Horry

Horry is only included on the list because some people have actually dared to mention his name due to his history of big shots in big games. Unfortunately for Big Shot Rob, the regular season counts. I'm as big a Laker fan as you'll ever meet and I'll be the first to tell you that the notion of Robert Horry in the Hall of Fame is laughable, to say the least. I'd have no problem if the Hall had a TV dedicated to Horry that just ran all of his big shots on a continuous loop. 

Nash might be the only guy on the list you can make a legitimate case for. If he were 30 and not 34, like his buddy Dirk, you could say he was on the way. Had Nash had a more stellar college career and done anything internationally, then you could make an even stronger case for him. Unless he wins a ring or two and another MVP award, he's on the "Out" list. Either of those two and he's definitely in.

Other than Nash, I think McGrady is the only other guy that still has a chance to upgrade onto the "On The Way" list. That's because he's still relatively young. If he can stay injury-free and take his team deep in the playoffs two or three times he could be on his way. Although I wouldn't bet on either of those things happening.

Had Chauncey Billups made the same leap over his first five years as he has over the last five then he'd be considered "On The Way". Unfortunately, he's 31. It looks like it's just too late for him. Another Finals' MVP and he might get voted in by the Veterans' Committee around 2027.

Mourning is interesting because he was one of the best defensive centers in the history of the game and an amazing college player. Anybody who remembers Zo at Georgetown can attest to that. Is that enough to get him to Springfield, though? I don't think so. Kidney ailments caused him to miss nearly two full seasons off of his career. Who knows what might have been had he been able to stay healthy.

I've decided to add a fourth list. We'll call it "The Fringe". This list is for the guys that are three or four more seasons of excellence away from being "On The Ways". These are the guys that have accomplished enough to keep an eye on and are young enough to still make the leap.

THE FRINGE

1. Chris Bosh
2. Carmelo Anthony
3. Dwyane Wade
4. Chris Paul
5. Tony Parker

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?