The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame has the reputation of being more lenient than the Pro Football and the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame’s. The reason perhaps is that the Basketball Hall of Fame takes into account a player’s collegiate, professional, and overseas accolades. In the Pro Football and MLB Hall of Fame, the body of work of a player is focused primarily on what they’ve done during their tenure in their specific league, respectively. There is a bevy of notable star players currently in the association. However, are their career accolades and impact strong enough to make the Hall of Fame?
Current Minnesota Timberwolves point guard Mike Conley is one of the longest-tenured players in the league. Conley was drafted in 2007 by the Memphis Grizzlies and spent 12 seasons there. After over a decade of service with the team that drafted him fourth overall, Conley spent five seasons with the Utah Jazz (’19-’23) and recently completed his first full season with the Timberwolves.
In 17 seasons, Conley has made only one All-Star appearance (2021). He has made one defensive second-team (2013) while being a key piece in Memphis’s Western Conference Finals appearance in 2013. Conley also served as a veteran presence for a young Timberwolves team that made its first conference finals appearance since 2004. Conley is a solid and veteran player. However, he likely will not make the Hall of Fame as his career winds down.
Bucks forward Khris Middleton has served as an excellent second option to two-time MVP superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo. The duo won the 2021 NBA championship beating the Phoenix Suns after being down 0-2 in the series. Additionally, Middleton averaged 24.6 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 5.3 assists in the series.
Throughout Middleton’s 11-plus year career, he has earned only three All-Star selections and hasn’t yet made an All-NBA team. However, Middleton did win a gold medal at the 2020 Olympics and served as the second option in Milwaukee’s first title victory since 1971. Middleton’s contributions to the Bucks are impressive. Ultimately though, it probably won’t be enough to be enshrined.
Current Suns guard Bradley Beal recently finished his first season with Phoenix. After having spent 10 seasons with the Washington Wizards. The former No.3 overall draft pick was one of the cornerstone pieces of the Wizards franchise along with John Wall in the mid-2010s.
Beal currently ranks second all-time in total points (15,366) and first in 3-pointers made (1,514) for the Washington franchise. The former Wizard was brought to Phoenix to aid Kevin Durant and Devin Booker as a triple-headed monster to compete for a championship.
Unfortunately, Beal’s brimmed injury-riddled track record reared its head again. Beal, just like in Washington, struggled to stay healthy. Beal has made three All-Star teams and an All-NBA third team during his career thus far. However, his health likely hindered his chances of perhaps being on the cusp of a Hall-of-Fame trajectory.
The No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 draft had high expectations after having led the Memphis Tigers to the NCAA Championship Game, despite Memphis’s season being vacated. The Chicago Bulls drafted Derrick Rose and in short order was named NBA Rookie of the Year.
Rose was a flashy and highly athletic point guard. Who made history as the youngest player ever to win the MVP award at 22 years of age during the 2010-2011 season. The former No. 1 pick was on a Hall-of-Fame trajectory after that season. But unfortunately suffered a devastating ACL injury in the 2012 postseason and never was the same.
Since leaving the Bulls in 2016, Rose has been a part of six teams over the last eight seasons. Overall, Rose accumulated three All-Star nods, a Rookie of the Year, and an MVP throughout his sixteen-year career. According to NBA history, every player that won the MVP award has made the Hall of Fame. Rose has spent almost a decade as a bench or role player at best since having left the Bulls. The only claim that Rose might have is the fact he is the youngest to ever win the coveted award. Will that be enough to get Rose in?
The Hall of Fame in any sport is what players strive to be a part of when it is all said and done. As a member of an exclusive club, a player’s legacy and contributions to the sport are remembered and etched in stone forever. Even though the players mentioned might not have good odds of making the Hall of Fame as of now, their contributions and career-high points will be remembered by true fans of the sport of basketball.
