i have a nice lengthy post in process to answer your question, dont have time to finish it right now, though...its coming later tonight..
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (PrimeTime @ Mar 4 2006, 11:37 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Charles Oakley was shaq before shaq came out, the mussel of a teams defense and a very good rebounder. Not only that but he impacted the game, I guarantee you would never of heard of Ben Wallace or Desagna Diop if He had created that type of game, I also doubt referee's would accomidate Shaqs style of pummeling defense without more calls if he hadnt come into the game. He was the first pure defensive brute force in the game. Yes he belongs in there, at least if your going to have Robert Parish.</div> Robert Parrish is in there because he was a big part of the Celtics dynasty, I don't think he should be in the HOF either. You don't think Ben Wallace would be in the league if it weren't for Oakley? Come on. DeSagana Diop? Since when is he a great defender, he blocks a few shots but does little else. I know Oakley was a great defender but saying some guys wouldn't be in the league if it weren't for him is a little ridiculous...
Charles Oakley was a scrapper that hit jump shots. As far as influence of the game, I admit he helped get a few guys into the league, but he didn't change basketball in any shape or form. Heck, the only reason people remember him is because of how outspoken he was.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BCB @ Mar 4 2006, 11:19 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Robert Parrish is in there because he was a big part of the Celtics dynasty, I don't think he should be in the HOF either. You don't think Ben Wallace would be in the league if it weren't for Oakley? Come on. DeSagana Diop? Since when is he a great defender, he blocks a few shots but does little else. I know Oakley was a great defender but saying some guys wouldn't be in the league if it weren't for him is a little ridiculous...</div>His impact on the game is huge, He created his style of game,the pummeling defense which is the centerpiece for todays center. and yes Big Ben wouldnt be in the league, he would have never been scouted. A undersized C who will be the enforcer of the team, Oakley was the original.
Nobody would have scouted a 7'0" 330 pound center from Senegal because of what Charles Oakley did 15 years ago? Come on. Ben Wallace would have gotten to the NBA because of his amazing workethic regardless.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BCB @ Mar 5 2006, 10:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Nobody would have scouted a 7'0" 330 pound center from Senegal because of what Charles Oakley did 15 years ago? Come on. Ben Wallace would have gotten to the NBA because of his amazing workethic regardless.</div>I was refering to Shaqs style of play, as far as his defense goes he modeled his game after Oakley, unsuccesfully though, considering he's no where near the defender, but still good.
Steve Nash has just entered his prime? He's 32 years old. Your prime starts at around 27 years old. Steve Nash should not be a hall of famer even if he wins his second MVP because I don't think he's done enough to be named one of the best ever.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BCB @ Mar 5 2006, 03:42 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Steve Nash has just entered his prime? He's 32 years old. Your prime starts at around 27 years old. Steve Nash should not be a hall of famer even if he wins his second MVP because I don't think he's done enough to be named one of the best ever.</div>Some Players have late primes like Michael Jordan,Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,and Hakeem Olajuwon.You cant rob a player who won 2 consecutive MVPs and then put Robert Parish in the HOF.I also consider Nash better then several PGs in the HOF like Frazier and Cousy.
Just because you lower the standards with Parrish doesn't mean you let a Steve Nash in, Parrish at least won something. Nash has put up Terrell Brandon numbers until these last couple of seasons, I love Nash but come on now. A long time from now people are going to wonder why a guy like Nash won MVP's with 18/11 numbers and a team that didn't dominate in the playoffs.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (BCB @ Mar 5 2006, 03:48 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Just because you lower the standards with Parrish doesn't mean you let a Steve Nash in, Parrish at least won something. Nash has put up Terrell Brandon numbers until these last couple of seasons, I love Nash but come on now. A long time from now people are going to wonder why a guy like Nash won MVP's with 18/11 numbers and a team that didn't dominate in the playoffs.</div>Bill Walton only had a few good seasons but made the HOF because he won MVPs, and who knows? Steve Nash could win a ring this season, even though I doubt it but Marion is much better, and if Amare is just as good or better it's very possible.
Bill Walton won 1 MVP and got into the HOF because of what he did at UCLA...same has Drazen Petrovic who got in for what he did in Europe and foreign players coming to the NBA.
Reggie Miller deserves to go in the HOF.Even though hes obviously going to the HOF i just think hes the most deserving.Anotjer player is Dominique Wilkins.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Peja16 @ Mar 5 2006, 09:05 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Reggie Miller deserves to go in the HOF.Even though hes obviously going to the HOF i just think hes the most deserving.Anotjer player is Dominique Wilkins.</div>I wouldnt neccesarily say he deserves to go to the HOF, there are a lot of players more deserving who still havent gotten in, I'm sure his number will be retired but there's a long waiting list for HOF. Dennis Rodman,Charles Oakley,Dominique Wilkins,Clyde Drexler,Scottie Pippen,Gary Payton,Karl Malone,Dikembe Mutombo,Shaq,etc. I'm not sure if he'll end up in HOF, he definately doesnt deserve to be in it, but he'll probably make it at some point within the next 20 years but i really doubt he'll make it on his first year of elgibility.
