Evan Grant breaks down his own Hall of Fame ballot Guerrero was a second-ballot Hall of Famer, though he should have been on the first. Hill exploded in his rookie, year, where he averaged 20 points, six boards and five assists a game on his way to sharing the rookie of the year with Jason Kidd. WebBro please stop comparing short guys to tyreek hill hes a first ballot hall of famer and has Olympic track speed. Thats why it matters that Grant Hill is in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. You can e-mail him here, find his archive here and follow him on Twitter. Your default site has been set for 7 days. I was elite, for a period of time, you know. Pistons Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas sees the comparison as well and said as much back when Hill was announced as one of the members of the Class of 2018. And he never played a day in the Minors, going straight to the big leagues in 1973 after he was drafted by the Padres. He only got 24.1 percent of the vote, but doubled that to 48.3 percent in 1970. If Hill had been healthy during his Orlando years, he and T-Mac could have won a championship or two. (The seventh season of Hills contract was a $16,901,500 player-option, which he exercised, after only playing in 21 games the season before. And I dont remember it the same way. You just dont. You had the dream, it was maybe always in the back of your mind, but the circumstances were so different a generation ago. Your favorite teams, topics, and players all on your favorite mobile devices. The outstanding numbers he put up in Detroit were far in the rear-view mirror for many fans, and eventually Hills run in Orlando would be labeled a disappointment. To fully articulate Hills dominance at his zenith, well play a different what if game. I dont think I appreciated how talented or good I was while I was going through those moments, but it really lifts you up to have people remind you. NBA.com: You were supposed to be the heir apparent to Michael Jordan. Hill: You really dont have that time when youre in the middle of it. Cobb's 98.2 percent vote was the Hall's highest until Tom Seaver eclipsed him in 1992. An eight-time NL batting champion, Gwynn is one of few to sniff the .400 batting average mark since Ted Williams in 1941, clipping .394 in '94. I dont know, some of these kids were born after I was healthy in Detroit, and its crazy. Nolan RyanClass of 1999Ryan played a record 27 years in the Majors, pitching for the Mets, Angels, Astros and Rangers, and he is baseball's all-time leader in no-hitters (seven) and strikeouts (5,714). Though the MVP voting for the 1996-97 season is most remembered for Karl Malone controversially edging Michael Jordan, Hill quietly finished third while averaging 21.4 points, 9.0 rebounds and 7.3 assists per game. After missing 65.3% of possible games with the Orlando Magic, in his five full seasons in Phoenix, Hill missed only 8.8% (35 games), and even tied for the league-lead in games played (82), in 2008-09, only the second time in his career he appeared in every game in a season, the first being the 1998-99 lockout shortened year (50 games). The only other player under 25 to finish in the top 10 was Shaquille ONeal, positioning Hill to ride the post-Jordan wave on the horizon. Hills Hall of Fame case was bolstered by the combination of the quality and length of his NBA career, as well as his spectacular college career. Of course it helps that fellow future Hall of Famer Steve Nash was running the show, but in Phoenix, Hill, already 35-years-old when the 2007-08 season began, was able to stay healthy, and using his versatility with regained confidence in his ankle and body, stepped in as the rosters fourth best player, rebranding himself as a solid defender and consummate professional who accepted his status as a role player, scoring points only when Nash found him for a shot. Had it not been for the three seasons he spent overseas, Spahn -- the winningest left-handed pitcher of all time (363), a 17-time All-Star and a 13-time 20-game winner -- might have joined Cy Young and Walter Johnson in the 400-win club. He also was particularly critical during Minnesota's World Series championship runs in 1987 and '91, hitting .309/.361/.536 over 24 playoff games. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Most notably, potential honorees are eligible on the ballot for Hall of Fame enshrinement after three full seasons of retirement, starting with the Class of 2018. Brooks RobinsonClass of 1983Robinson won an AL MVP Award in 1964 and was an 18-time All-Star, but was best known for setting the defensive standard at third base, where he became known as "The Human Vacuum Cleaner" and won 16 consecutive Gold Glove Awards. By comparison, Anthony Davis just finished his sixth season and if his career ended today, would have a 53% chance of making it based solely on this model. A typical Hall of Famer was dominant at their position during their playing career, but First Ballot Hall of Famers separated themselves into the conversation for the best of all-time. The top 16 all-time rushers in NFL history who are Hall of Fame-eligible are already in the Hall of Fame. But as far as were concerned, in the Michael Jordan vs That was the most important thing for me. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. A seven-time All-Star and a five-time All-NBA selection, Hill was on a trajectory that could have seen him become one of the leagues all-time greats. Players who make the semifinalists stage (top 25) in their first eligible year almost always eventually get enshrined, even if it takes multiple years. The "Big Red Machine" won the World Series in both of those seasons, keyed by the 10-time All-Star second baseman and all-time hit king Pete Rose atop the lineup. Carrying the mantle as his teams top scorer and distributor? And that humbles you real quick. David OrtizClass of 2022There were reasons to be skeptical of Ortizs first-ballot chances, including the fact that he spent the vast majority of his career as a designated hitter. A typical Hall of Famer was dominant at their position during their playing career, but First Ballot Hall of Famers separated themselves into the conversation for the best of all-time. Yet Tarkenton was also a "quality" passer, as his 80.4 passing rating that placed him in the upper echelon in that category demonstrates. Enshrinees from the Direct Elect Committees are also recognized at the NCAA Mens Final Four and include Early African-American Pioneers, International, Contributors and Veterans. Newest class of hoops legends reflect on lesser-known people who inspired them, Q&A: Heat guard Goran Dragic on his charmed basketball life. The views on this page do not necessarily reflect the views of the NBA, its clubs or Turner Broadcasting. And maybe Im getting too deep with this, but the Hall of Fame is very validating for me and I didnt realize how much I needed it, how much I needed that recognition that I dont always see what I did back in the day, back in the 90s. Hill: (Laughing) Exactly. An All-American and two-time national champion at Duke, Hill continued his dominance in the early years of his NBA career with the Detroit Pistons. 01 May 2023 03:58:09 In 2000, Hill had signed a seven-year, $93 million contract with the Magic as part of a sign-and-trade (he was to be paired up with Tracy McGrady who too signed a seven-year $93 million deal). The Magic welcomed Grant with open arms, and exchanged Chucky Atkins and Ben Wallace for the All-Star. Even with the injured years, you lasted 19 years. This will allow the Honors Committee to evaluate a larger body of work for thosecoaches nominated. But immediately injuries took their toll on Hill, and after seven incredibly unsuccessful (and highly expensive) seasons with the Orlando Magic, in which he had played: 2000-01: 4 games2001-02: 142002-03: 292003-04: 02004-05: 672005-06: 212006-07: 65, it was time for Hill to move on. Before diving in, heres video of Hill dropping a buzzer-beater to force OT against Kobe Bryants Lakers in their second overall matchup, a game in which Hill finished with 34 points, 15 rebounds and 14 assists while playing all 53 minutes. When I was in Phoenix, my daughter Myla would go on YouTube and look at old highlights and she said, oh dad, you werent always a scrub. And you repair your ego a little bit, you look at it and go, oh yeah, I was pretty good at one time. Ive had more of those sort of moments now that reflect and get a chance to look back over the years to see some of the things I was fortunate enough to do. I kind of convinced myself in a way that, and maybe it was a way to protect myself if none of this [Hall of Fame] ever happened, that I didnt need that stuff because I know what I overcame and what I had to fight through just to get back and play in my final years. Despite it being a position that takes such a pounding, Rodriguez played almost exclusively at catcher throughout his 21-year career. In my case, it was an interesting journey and everyones story is unique. With a variety of college and professional experiences, both on and off the court, Grant was named Managing Director of the USA Basketball Mens National Team in 2021. Grant also serves on the Board of Directors for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the NCAA, Campbell Soup Company, Empire State Realty Trust, and Lake Highland Preparatory School. 2018 Hall of Fame: How good was Grant Hill. He shared Rookie of the Year honors with Jason Kidd in 1995 and was the man expected by many to serve as the superstar bridge for the league between the Michael Jordan era and whatever came next. So those were the two schools I had grown up watching and they both had their own opinions as to what was best. Babe RuthClass of 1936The Bambino's powerful left-handed swing and 714 homers ushered baseball out of the Dead Ball Era, and the former ace pitcher and home run king's larger-than-life persona transcended the limits of the baseball field and cemented his place not only in baseball lore, but also in American legend. It was just the second no-hitter in postseason history, after Don Larsen's perfect game in the 1956 World Series. And it was a little different for him growing up in Oakland and the Bay Area. And we had just bought a Betamax and the first thing we taped was that Final Four, so I watched that game so many times I know the entire call, I memorized that game and was obsessed with it. The Class of 2018 will be announced on Saturday, March 31 at a press conference in San Antonio prior to the NCAA Mens Final Four. And playing on that stage in St. Louis, and [Chris] Webber and [Alan] Henderson and [Jamal] Mashburn were all there representing their teams, and even at that point, even though I was really young, I held my own. Follow along with Commander Country as we keep you up to date with all firings, hirings, and breaking news in the NFL I remember the arguments when you played in Detroit, before Kobe and T-Mac and Vince Carter. But college ball certainly was on my mind and the dream was to maybe have an opportunity to play for a national championship one day in college. Sekou Smith is a veteran NBA reporter and NBA TV analyst. In 2015, Grant was added as a game analyst for the NCAA Final Four and National Championship game. We ask that you consider turning off your ad blocker so we can deliver you the best experience possible while you are here. WebGrant Hill weighed 225 lbs (102 kg) when playing. But I want to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, Ramsey said. The reason I brought that up is because I had this conversation with Dominique Wilkins the year he went into the Hall of Fame and he admitted that hed done a poor job recognizing his significance while he was playing. A little more than five years after authoring a record-breaking final season, Ortiz punched his ticket to Cooperstown. And when Grant Hill came in he was basically anointed by the league, players and everyone, he was anointed to be the next face of the league, former Pistons great Your mom wanted you to go to Georgetown and your dad wanted you to go to North Carolina. Youre only focused on what do I need to do to get healthy, to add value to this team, what do I need to do to be competitive in my late 30s and into my 40s? The two-time AL MVP Award winner would remain there for two decades, playing shortstop and center field for the Brewers. The promise and optimism that surrounded Hill when he arrived in the league 14-years ago is gone, and even if he does win a NBA title this season, Grant will come up just short of a Hall of Fame career. Derek JeterClass of 2020There was never a doubt that Jeter was going to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. An amazing four-year career at Duke, Rookie of the Year, Olympic gold medalist and 7-time All-Star, Hills career arc includes the injuries which prematurely ended his prime and derailed any potential best player chatter. To be named a Finalist for the Basketball Hall of Fame is an incredible distinction and we are proud to honor those who have made a tremendous impact on the game over the years, said Jerry Colangelo, Chairman of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. and our The conversations werent about the NBA, it was always about making it to the college level and finding the best place for you on that level. Willie MaysClass of 1979Perhaps the greatest five-tool player in the history of baseball, the Say Hey Kid dazzled with his personality and excelled in every facet of the game, hitting 660 homers (sixth all-time), stealing 338 bases, hitting .302 for his career and playing in a record-tying 24 All-Star Games. Offensive guard Jim Parker was taken with the eighth overall pick in the 1957 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts, and 16 years later Parker was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He pitched his last game on Oct. 4, 2009, less than a month shy of his 46th birthday. MC5, a six-time Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee, revs up for first album in 51 years and new tour Guitarist Wayne Kramer, who leads the new edition of the band, likens its mission to Paul Reveres. I remember being hurt. I dont know. But it never happened. What if rather than evolving into an effective role player and extending his career into his 40s post injury, Hill had simply walked away? He was a stellar role player, great in every locker room he set foot in and one of the leagues best ambassadors off the court. WebHill played college ball at Duke University where he was the NABC Defensive Player of the Year in 1993 as well as a Second Team All-America that same year, and a unanimous Mariano RiveraClass of 2019Rivera didn't just join the group of first-ballot Hall of Famers, he did something that had never happened to a player before: he was elected unanimously. It was too painful, both physically and emotionally, for Grant Hill to go over all of the scenarios in his mind while trying to heal his body. There arent many people who get anointed to carry the crown of being the face of the league. In fact, the only question surrounding his candidacy was whether the legendary Yankees shortstop would be a unanimous selection -- but he ultimately fell one vote shy of that distinction. His 555 Hall of Fame votes in 2014 remain the most ever. All He joined Bill Raftery and Jim Nantz to call games together throughout the tournament. WebErected high on a hill above the Gunpowder River Valley, Perry Hall Mansion dominated life in northeastern Baltimore County in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Grant and young Tracy McGrady were supposed to be the new Jordan and Pippen in Disneyworld, but it didnt quite work out that way. Is Grant Hill in the Hall of Fame? Where that comparison falls short comes when realizing that James ranks fourth in all-time scoring average and poured in over 27 a night by just his second season. Tarkenton was a No. A 12-time All-Star, Winfield hit 465 home runs and is a member of the 3,000-hit club. Pujols is a lock in that respect, with his magical run late in '22 (including reaching the 700-homer mark) just the icing on the cake. You dreamed about it. Hill: The context of why my parents felt that way is pretty interesting. The Bad Boys era was done, and as Michael Jordan had just stepped away from the game the first time after the Bulls three-peat, the Pistons had their new face. For me actually, when I retired and people start talking about where you fit and the Hall of Fame and things like that, you slow down a little bit and contemplate your basketball life, so to speak. And R.J. was on his visit and I think his parents were more excited to see me than he was. Dennis EckersleyClass of 2004Eckersley is one of just three relievers in MLB history to win the MVP Award -- and he did so in his 18th season after transitioning from a starting role over his first 12 seasons. At 68", he could play the shooting guard or small forward spot, and be a match-up problem for any team in the league. He only enjoyed rare flashes of the elite athleticism that marked his early years. NBA.com: So much has been made over the years about you choosing Duke for college. 19 (John Riggins), 21 (O.J. It wasnt all bad, if that makes sense. Defensively versatile and offensively adept, Molitor hit .306 over 12,167 plate appearances and logged 50 or more games at designated hitter, third base, second, first, shortstop and in the outfield. When the sun set on Hills sixth season and he decided to sign with the Orlando Magic, he had career averages of 21.6 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.3 assists per game which at that point, had only been matched by Oscar Robertson through six seasons. He played super defense, hit for power and average and played every day. Of course his scoring statistics were never as high as they were with the Pistons, and although lower than they were with Orlando, not that much lower (Hill averaged 19.9 points per-36 minutes for Detroit, 18.3 pp-36 with Orlando, and 14.5 pp-36 with Phoenix). So in a round sort of way this has all been a validating thing for me and confirmed some things for me. Carl YastrzemskiClass of 1989A young Yastrzemski had huge shoes to fill, stepping into left field as a 21-year-old rookie the season after Ted Williams' retirement. The first time Hodges was on the BBWAA ballot was for the 1969 Hall of Fame class. He is the first former Blue Devils player to receive Hall of Fame honors. But ultimately, Big Papis huge numbers at the plate, his postseason greatness and what he meant to Boston swayed enough voters to get him over the 75% threshold on his first try. One of Basketball-Reference.coms most unique features is a Hall of Fame probability calculator which considers the statistics, accolades and awards most correlated with getting selected into the Hall of Fame. I was recently with [Jason] Kidd and we had a chance to talk and reflect on our respective careers. I obviously knew about the NBA but I was still just a fan. We see a lot of young players like that these days, guys who see LeBron James and Kevin Durant as the players they want to model their games after, the guys they want to play like. Grant managed to play in only 18 games total in his first two seasons in Orlando, and missed the entire 2003-04 season due to injury. When describing LeBron James, those are the words that noted NBA commentator Michael Wilbon has expressed time and again. Regardless of where you stand on Bryant, its undeniable that hes generally viewed higher on the pecking order than Hill when it comes to pure ability between the lines. Sandy KoufaxClass of 1972Before the left-hander's career was cut short after his age-30 season due to his arthritic elbow, Koufax posted one of the most dominant four-year stretches from 1963-66 for the Dodgers, winning three Cy Young Awards, an NL MVP Award, three Triple Crowns and two World Series MVP Awards. Palmer became the premier pitcher of the 1970s, compiling the most wins (186) and lowest ERA (2.58) of anyone in that decade. After the 1999-00 season, Grant Hill and Detroit were both ready to go in a different direction. Hill, a Basketball Hall of Famer and seven-time NBA All-Star, made $2.75 million in 1994, his rookie year with the Detroit Pistons. During those broadcasts, Grant opines on issues of the past week in the NBA and provides contemporaneous commentary on that night's 10-12 NBA games while in progress. Over his 12 seasons, all with the Twins, Puckett was a 10-time All-Star and a six-time Gold Glove Award winner in center field. Wade BoggsClass of 2005Boggs wasn't the most athletic, didn't have the strongest arm and was never a threat on the basepaths, but during his peak, a 12-year stretch from 1985-96 during which he was an All-Star 12 times, Boggs was arguably the game's best hitter. Now you get to the mid-2000s and you fast forward realizing that Im old enough to be a parent of some of these guys now and the kids like Jayson Tatum and Harry Giles and even R.J. Barrett, they are all sort of aware of what I did and my career at Duke, and certainly the ups and the downs of my professional career and even the television work keeps me somewhat relevant in their eyes, but its the parents who know me better than the kids. Ozzie SmithClass of 2002Smith's acrobatics at shortstop made him arguably the greatest at the position that requires such skill. Then Nos. He piled up 9,393 points, 3,417 rebounds and 2,720 assists in the first six seasons of his career. Things like All-Star selections, championships and league-wide finishes on various stat leaderboards all factor into the equation. ), (For fun: Hill earned $456,000 per regular season appearance in Orlando. He went on to play more games at first base (2,413) than any player in history, winning three Gold Glove Awards there. Through individual accomplishments, and critically, elevating their teams, the players below each had a career that was deemed to be significant enough that the Selection Committee moved them to the front of the line. Although he never won an MVP, his last All-Star appearance came eight years prior to his retirement (he made seven total, playing in six), he never won a title, and only made it out of the first round of the playoffs once, Grant Hill is a Hall of Famer because of his five seasons with the Phoenix Suns. Ken Griffey Jr.Class of 2016As the son of a successful 19-year big leaguer, the No. Unmasking the Next Generation's Hall of Fame. John SmoltzClass of 2015Smoltz became arguably his era's most versatile pitcher. He was widely regarded for revolutionizing the closer's role. That validated the journey for me. Jayson Tatums mom is a die-hard Tamia (wife, artist) fan, so its funny how I went from a contemporary to big brother to uncle to now. He is the only player in MLB history to compile seven straight seasons with at least 20 homers, 100 RBIs, 100 walks and a .300 batting average. He was a 13-time All-Star and won five World Series with the Yankees. The first game I saw and really fell in love with the game was the 1982 NCAA title game with Georgetown and North Carolina. The seven-time All-Star and the '79 NL MVP Award winner won a pair of World Series titles in '71 and '79. Honus WagnerClass of 1936Considered by many to be the greatest shortstop in baseball history, Wagner won eight batting titles in his 21-year career, primarily for his hometown Pittsburgh Pirates, and was not only one of the best hitters and baserunners of the era, but also an able defender at virtually every position. NBA.com: Well, lets go back to that time, before you hit high school and the varsity. Joe MorganClass of 1990Morgan won his first NL MVP Award in 1975 after hitting .327 with 17 homers, 67 steals and 132 walks -- and only got better the following season, when he won the NL MVP Award again. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. Christy MathewsonClass of 1936The two-time Triple Crown winner and his famous "fadeaway" screwball baffled hitters throughout a 17-year career that set the standard for pitching excellence, during which he won at least 30 games four times and collected 373 career wins -- still the NL record in the Modern Era. All rights reserved, The All 22 - An Inside Look at Duke Football, Duke Mourns Passing of Hall of Famer Dick Groat, Bench to Beat Cancer Raises Over $33,000 for Cancer Patients, Blue Devils Talk NCAA Fencing, March Madness & the Super Bowl, 50 For 50 Campaign Raises $3.9M for Duke Womens Athletics, Discover the Latest Stories in GoDuke The Magazine's February 2023 Edition. Offensive guard Jim Parker was taken with the eighth overall pick in the 1957 NFL Draft by the Baltimore Colts, and 16 years later Parker was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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