Jordan, Robinson And Stockton Expected HOF Finalists

[Andrew]

Story @ RealGM

Candidates with NBA and WNBA ties eligible to be selected as a Finalist for the Class of 2009 are highlighted by first time nominees Michael Jordan, David Robinson, John Stockton, Cynthia Cooper and Jerry Sloan. Previous Finalists leading the list of 2009 Hall of Fame candidates include NBA Legends Chris Mullin, Don Nelson, Maurice Cheeks, Richie Guerrin, Dennis Johnson and Bernard King.

Four separate Hall of Fame Screening Committees (North American, Women's, Veteran's and International) review candidates in their respective group and select the Finalists, whose names will be revealed for the first time publicly on February 13th.

I can't imagine Michael Jordan won't be a finalist and subsequently an inductee in his first year of eligibility, hopefully Robinson and Stockton will get in first ballot as well. Tough to snub some of the previous finalists up for induction again this year but in my view Jordan, Robinson and Stockton deserve the nod ahead of them.

[Valor]

the world would riot if MJ wasnt selected...

[The X]

MJ & Stockton have to be 1st ballot....I don't care much for The Admiral's game as opposed to the other 2 mentioned, so I don't mind if he's 2nd ballot like Nique was previously....

[Andrew]

I'd still pick him over the previous finalists and everyone other than MJ and Stock though.

[The X]

I'd still pick him over the previous finalists and everyone other than MJ and Stock though.

true....I just meant if only 2 NBA players got inducted like most years, then MJ & Stock are the 2 I'd go for....all that being said, I expect Admiral to be 3rd NBA player inducted along with other 2....

[Clueminati017]

Who never forget Cynthia Cooper?

The first lady of the WNBA to take her team to the Houston Comets to the WNBA finals against New York Liberty? Not mention MVP?

I would have her, Jordan, Stockton, and Robinson in the first ballot. Bernard King is good but he should be in next years ballot.

[Andrew]

Agreed, if they can have classes without a single player inducted then they shouldn't have any issue with inducting four players in a situation like this.

[Andrew]

It's official, all three are amongst the sixteen finalists for the class of 2009, who are as follows:

Michael Jordan
John Stockton
David Robinson
Don Nelson
Jerry Sloan
C. Vivian Stringer
Dennis Johnson
Chris Mullin
Bernard King
Cynthia Cooper
Al Attles
Bob Hurley Sr.
Vladimir Kondrashin
Pereira Maciel
Richie Guerin
Johnny “Red” Kerr

I still think Jordan, Stockton and Robinson will all be inducted first ballot, it'll be interesting to see who fills out the class. There'll certainly be some noteworthy snubs.