Nominees for the 2022 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class were announced earlier this week and, unsurprisingly, there are a lot of iconic NBA names on there.
Among the possible inductees are coach Bob Huggins, Mark Jackson, Swin Cash, Becky Hammon, and more.
Indeed, there is a lot of big-name talent this year and many are wondering who will make the cut.
The list for the HOF candidates of 2022 has been released, including some very big names 🤩:
Manu Ginobili
Chauncey Billups
Rip Hamilton
Tim Hardaway
Muggsy BoguesWho has the best chance of getting inducted next year? pic.twitter.com/ntY2afWJQb
— Fadeaway World (@FadeawayWorld) December 23, 2021
The Hall of Fame class will be announced during the Final Four in New Orleans in early April with the selection being inducted on September 9-10, 2022 in the home of basketball, Springfield, Massachusetts.
Of the nominees, who are the biggest no-brainers that definitely need to be inducted this year?
3. Chauncey Billups
A lot of controversy surrounds him but Chauncey Billups should be inducted into the NBA Hall of Fame.
If chosen, it would come at an awkward period for Billups, who is currently coaching the very troubled Portland Trail Blazers.
Billups is a five-time All-Star and three-time All-NBA selection and was selected as Finals MVP when he helped lead the Detroit Pistons to win the NBA Finals in 2004.
Beyond those highlights, Billups is also the only NBA player in history with a winning record against the legendary trifecta of Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, and LeBron James.
However, Billups doesn’t come without a lot of baggage.
Ever since he was hired by the Blazers, his star has faded as sexual assault allegations against him from the 1990s have resurfaced.
This complicates his chances of making it into the Hall of Fame but, in the end, the man deserves his spot based on his stellar basketball career.
2. Muggsy Bogues
You’ve got to give a spot to the best small man in NBA history.
Muggsy Bogues played for four teams during his time in the NBA – the Washington Bullets, Charlotte Hornets, Golden State Warriors, and Toronto Raptors – and also spent four years at Wake Forest University, claiming 11.3 points, 8.4 assists, and a remarkable 3.1 steals a game in his junior year.
Oh, and he did it all while only being 5-foot-3, which makes him the shortest NBA player in history.
No matter which team he played for, Bogues almost always led in assists and steals and also became wildly popular with fans.
He is still one of the most beloved Hornets in history.
Because of his impressive stats and his unique size, Bogues rightfully belongs in the Hall of Fame.
1. Manu Ginobili
This is the most obvious choice for this year’s Hall of Fame but it needs to be restated: Manu Ginobili needs to be in the NBA Hall of Fame.
Ginobili was a vital part of the San Antonio Spurs as they were the most dominant team in the league.
A large part of their success was due to Ginobili’s lightning-fast passes and speed.
Feels like a good day to watch a bunch of Manu Ginobili passes pic.twitter.com/61xPCnGiiR
— Project Spurs (@projectspurs) December 22, 2021
He was the 57th overall pick in the 1999 NBA Draft but would go on to become a legend and is considered perhaps the best international basketball player of all time.
He was known for his distinctive style and the patented Eurostep that has now become so popular in the NBA.
With four championships and an Olympic gold medal for his home country of Argentina under his belt, it’s no question that Ginobili is ready for the Hall of Fame.
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