10 Future Basketball Hall of Famers

In sports (and many other professions), the best of the best, are immortalized in the Hall of Fame. It's a tremendous honor and usually reserved for those who truly deserve it. For the NBA, the Hall of Fame is the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. They have five categories in the Hall: players (like Michael Jordan and Reggie Miller), coaches (such as Larry Brown and Phil Jackson), teams (like the 1992 United States Olympic Team and the Harlem Globetrotters), referees (like Earl Strom and Marvin Rudolph), and contributors (such as Jerry Buss and Hubie Brown).

Whenever it comes time to pick the class for each year, we look at future Hall of Famers. Out of the current players, coaches, etc., who has the best chance of making it to the Hall? In this article, I'll name ten current players who will definitely be inducted one day. They are listed in no particular order.

1. Kobe Bryant- Of all the players on the list, this is one of the most obvious ones. After all, Bryant's an obvious Hall of Famer. He's won five titles, two Finals MVPs, a regular season MVP, and four All-Star Game MVPs. He may never get the sixth ring he craves so much, but it won't matter when his candidacy is being determined.

2. LeBron James- King James definitely is a first-ballot Hall of Famer. Many people feel that a Hall of Famer must be one of the top players during their career. James fits that category all right, he's the best player in the league. In his ten full seasons, he's won eight MVP awards, including two Finals MVPs. Not only will James make the Hall, if he wins a few more titles he'll be considered one of the greatest players of all-time.

3. Tim Duncan- He may not be the flashiest player in the NBA, but he's one of the best big men of this century. The fact that he's won four NBA Championships, three Finals MVPs, and two regular season MVPs is a testament to that. Remarkably, he's been on the same team his entire career, something that should get him some extra points with the committee.

4. Dirk Nowitzki- Even without his championship in 2011, Nowitzki would still be a Hall of Famer. Considered one of the best big men shooters and international players ever, the Maverick ranks in the top 25 all-time for career defensive rebounds, free throws, and total points. His 2007 regular season MVP seals the deal.

5. Dwyane Wade- He may only be the second-best player on his team, but D-Wade is definitely a Hall of Famer. He was the face of the Miami Heat when they won the championship in 2006. He's also a ten time All-Star, All-Star MVP, and a one-time scoring champion. On top of that, he's the Heat's all-time scorer. Being the top of a franchise definitely gets points with the committee.

6. Paul Pierce- The Truth was the face of the Boston Celtics for a good chunk of the last decade. He's in the twilight part of his career now, but his prime was pretty great. That included 11 All-Star appearances, a championship in 2008, and a Finals MVP. He also ranks in the top ten in all-time three-point field-goals and top twenty in free throws.

7. Ray Allen- One of the greatest shooters of all-time, this veteran is a sure-fire Hall of Famer. He may not be one of the Big Three on the Miami Heat, but he's a 10-time All-Star and won two NBA titles. But the stat that gets him the most consideration: he's the all-time leader in both treys made and attempted. All-time leaders always get bonus points.

8. Chauncey Billups- This one may surprise you, but it shouldn't. The 3rd pick in '97, Billups has played for seven teams, with his run in Detroit being the most successful. As a Piston, Mr. Big Shot went to six straight Eastern Conference Finals, two NBA Finals, and won the Finals MVP in 2004. He may not have amazing stats, but he's still a future Hall of Famer.

9. Steve Nash- The Canadian player may never have won a title, but he's one of 12 players to ever win multiple regular season MVP awards. Nine of those players are in the Hall of Fame, James and Duncan are on their way, and so is Nash. He ranks in the top ten in free-throw percentage, assists, and three-point field goals made. Say what you want about him, but he deserves to make the Hall.

10. Kevin Garnett- The Brooklyn Net made it to the Finals twice when he was with the Boston Celtics. Even without those two appearances, he would still be a worthy candidate. He's a fifteen time All-Star, made the All-Defensive First Team nine times, and made the All-NBA First Team four times. Furthermore, he's Minnesota's all-time leading scorer. Like with Wade, that should give him some extra consideration.

Know another player who should also make the Hall of Fame? Comment and let me know. 

The Donald Sterling Story Continues

It seems that Donald Sterling, the octogenarian owner of the NBA's Los Angeles Clippers, is always in the headlines these days. Recently, it was for his interview with Anderson Cooper of CNN. This was his first interview since the controversy over his racist comment started about two weeks ago. In the recording, Sterling is talking to his girlfriend, V. Stiviano. He scolds her for bringing African-Americans to Clippers games as well as posting pictures of herself with African-Americans on Instagram. No one knows hows the recording was obtained, though some of have said Sterling had started recording his conversations, as he was planning on writing a memoir.

In the interview with Cooper, denied allegations that he was a racist. Instead, he said that he had been "baited" into making those remarks by Stiviano, even though he believes she is a "good person". Her friends however, say that she wanted fame. Sterling also denied that he had an intimate relationship with Stiviano, who is almost 50 years younger than him. His estranged wife however, believes that the relationship is intimate. Shelly Sterling is currently suing Stiviano to get back more than $2 million in gifts that Donald Sterling gave her. 

Shelly Sterling is also involved in a battle for ownership of the Clippers. Donald Sterling still owns the franchise, but NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is working with other NBA owners to force Sterling out of the league. Silver also issued Sterling a $2.5 million fine (the maximum amount that can be fined) and issued a lifetime ban on him, which means that Sterling will no longer be allowed to associate with the Clippers or the NBA. Shelly Sterling meanwhile, has said that she would like ownership of the team, even though many people, including NBA analyst Charles Barkeley, has stated that no player would play for the Clippers if any member of the Sterling family owned the team next year.

One man who is reportedly interested in buying the Clippers is Magic Johnson, one of the owners of the MLB's Los Angeles Dodgers and WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks. Sterling did mention Johnson many times in his interview, even saying that Johnson told him to keep quiet. Johnson responded on Twitter by saying that he no longer wanted to talk about Sterling. Sterling also slammed Johnson for having HIV and for not helping African-Americans.

Many people have come to the defense of Magic Johnson, who is also a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. Silver issued an apology to Johnson, saying that he was sorry that Johnson kept being "dragged into the situation". Filmmaker Spike Lee also has defended Johnson, saying that he is "loved by everybody around the world".

As this story continues to unfold, it's hard to predict what will happen. One thing is for sure though: there will be a complex, legal battle that could get very messy.