should defensive players make the HOF?

[baller101200]

Agree with ^^ above. There is no criteria. Each case needs to be judged by a case by case basis. If there were primarily a defensive player then you need the hardware and team success to back it up. In my opinion here are some examples...

Guys who fit that description: Bobby Jones, Michael Cooper, Dennis Rodman, Dikembe Mutombo, Ben Wallace
Guys who don't: Charles Oakley, Larry Nance, Doug Christie, AK47, Shane Battier, Tayshaun Prince

I personally would add Bruce Bowen to your first list then.

[Nick O]

Mutombo and Big Ben should. Mutombo for what he's done internationally off the court. Big Ben basically created that Pistons identity of that championship team in 04 and the team that lost in the finals in 05.


Battier really doesn't stand out as a marquee name, and Metta just ****ed up any chance of making the hall after the brawl at the Palace.

true with the MWP thing aha.. im sure elbowing harden didnt help his cause ;p

[rockbottom2010]

sidney moncrief is probably the best defender in nba history and he should in the hof...so yes

[Nick O]

so is MWP a guy who should be in but wont because of his past. or is he a guy who just simply shouldnt be in? .. i think hes border line.. because he was such a good defender and always went up against the best guy. ball stealer and for a couple years he was a very good offensive player as well

[JasonJohnHorn]

The thing with Mutumbo, Rodman and Ben Wallace is that aside from being perhaps the best defenders in the league at various points throughout their respective careers, they were also the best rebounders in the league at various time throughout their resepctive careers.

A guy like Shane Battier... who is perhaps underappreciated, is that he locks down players, but he doesn't provide the kind of help defence that Howard, Big Ben and Mutumbo did, and Rodman did in a different way. Nor does he provide the rebounding those guys provide.

Bruce Bowen was an amazing one-on-one defender. Should he get into the HOF? I wouldn't have a problem with it, but a lot of people would I think.

Battier I don't think has done as much as Bowen... Bowen after all won 3 or 4 rings and winning plays a big factor in getting into the HOF.... just ask Mitch Richmond, Kevin Johnon, Mark Price and Tim Hardaway, all who have had HOF careers and none of whom won much while they played... they are all waiting to get into the hall and some of them (mitch, kevin and tim at least) were amazing defenders as well as being great offensive players.... mark price I'm not sure becuase I didn't watch that many Cavs games back in the day, but he may have been good on D too.

I think the Hall should be open to more players, but others seem to think that cheapens the meaning. I think guys like Fisher and Robert Horry had very special careers worthy of note, but most people wouldn't put them in the hall because they are just role players. But I mean, the Hall puts in highschool coaches for crying out loud... and NCAA officials? For real?

I say yes. But I expect to be in the minority.

[IndyRealist]

If Artest and Ben Wallace don't make it, it's probably because of the Brawl.

[Hawkeye15]

it makes it tougher, but defensive players from winners stand a good chance.

[thenaj17]

with rodman getting in,it kind of opens the gates.not on battier ,but def be ok with mutumbo and wallace getting in(think he's been severally underrated, his importance/impact has been glossed over),mwp is on the bubble of such a group

Thing is Rodman was rebound leader for a few years in a row even at 6ft 7 or whatever he was and he had 3 rings. Wing defenders like Battier and Artest will have a harder time getting in unless they get a couple more rings playing a decent role. (1 of them a big possibility this year). Artest would need another defensive player of year in my mind and another ring.

[ewmania]

bill russell, mostly known for his defense... if DPOY was then, and blocks counted as stats around his time he probably would be the all time leader and probably would of had 9 DPOY awards

rodman in also

[TrueFan420]

No mention of Bruce "all mighty" Bowen

[Raidaz4Life]

Mutombo and Wallace definitely should imo.

[Nick O]

If Artest and Ben Wallace don't make it, it's probably because of the Brawl.

i feel they should regardless.. I mean hell O.J simpson is in the hof

[Nick O]

Thing is Rodman was rebound leader for a few years in a row even at 6ft 7 or whatever he was and he had 3 rings. Wing defenders like Battier and Artest will have a harder time getting in unless they get a couple more rings playing a decent role. (1 of them a big possibility this year). Artest would need another defensive player of year in my mind and another ring.

its kinda of weird how MWP and battier are playing the exact same role this year.. the 5th starter on a "super team" in just for their defense really... qhweird

[ManningToTyree]

Ben and Mutumbo are HoF to me.

[Hellcrooner]

so, what about marc eaton and manute bol?

blocks blocks,more blocs and then again more blocks again.