Every day we’re taking one active NBA star with at least arguable Hall of Fame credentials and breaking down his chances of getting into the Springfield, Mass., hoops mecca. We’re looking at not just past accomplishments, but also how a player’s career realistically projects for the future. For a full explanation of the process, click here. Today’s candidate: Rip Hamilton.
RIP HAMILTON (9th year, Pistons/Wizards)
17.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists per game
Why: Like Chauncey Billups and Ben Wallace, Rip has played a leading role on the Eastern Conference powerhouse Pistons throughout this decade. Since joining the team in ‘02, Hamilton has been Detroit’s leading scorer every year, making two All-Star teams along the way and putting up 21 points per game during the Pistons’ 2004 postseason championship run. Rip also won a national championship at UConn, copping Final Four M.O.P. in ‘99. In terms of consistent production, Rip is a perimeter version of Elton Brand. Since becoming a regular starter in his second season in the League, he’s been good for 17-20 points without fail. He’s been called this generation’s Reggie Miller minus the volume of three-pointers (although he led the NBA in three-point percentage in ‘06) — purists love how Rip has thrived off the supposedly lost art of the mid-range jumper.
Why not: There are plenty of 20-ppg scorers who aren’t in the Hall of Fame — Mark Aguirre, World B. Free, Bernard King and Adrian Dantley come to mind — and Hamilton’s career numbers don’t even hit that magic number. The NBA and NCAA championships help, but another one or two ‘chips would help Rip’s case a lot. Dating back to his run at UConn, Rip has been seen as more of a vital part of a talented roster than an alpha dog superstar who could carry a team on his own.
Our call: OUT
The H.O.F. Watch archive
11/19 - Baron Davis
11/16 - Shaquille O’Neal
11/15 - Steve Francis
11/14 - Ben Wallace
11/13 - Sam Cassell
11/12 - LeBron James
11/9 - Tim Duncan
11/8 - Steve Nash
11/7 - Yao Ming
11/6 - Gilbert Arenas
11/5 - Robert Horry
11/2 - Kobe Bryant
11/1 - Grant Hill
10/31 - Dirk Nowitzki
10/30 - Tony Parker
10/29 - Elton Brand
10/26 - Carmelo Anthony
10/25 - Vince Carter
10/24 - Penny Hardaway
10/23 - Alonzo Mourning
10/22 - Allen Iverson
10/19 - Dwyane Wade
10/18 - Chauncey Billups
10/17 - Stephon Marbury
10/16 - Jason Kidd
10/15 - Shawn Marion
10/12 - Ray Allen
10/11 - Chris Bosh
10/10 - Chris Webber
10/9 - Paul Pierce
10/5 - Jermaine O’Neal
10/4 - Gary Payton
10/3 - Tracy McGrady
Related posts:
November 20th, 2007 at 12:10 pm
Myrie in NY says:
I don’t think so. How did this skinny guy get the nickname RIP? And what happened to his mid range game since the ‘04 playoffs?
November 20th, 2007 at 12:17 pm
smity says:
This one is almost a “no branier”. At least he got to win a college and nba chip though and play with the GOAT. thats a pretty good career. Do the same people that criticize Ricky Davis for his supposed “gunning” also call out Rip for the same?
its really f***d up that bernard king still isnt in the HOF…really.
November 20th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
2 Easy says:
I find this one to be a funny case. Unlike his teammates for some strange reason I think Rip has the best chance to get in. Chauncey has the MVP, Big Ben has all the DPOY’s but Iunno for some reason if I was a bettin man Id bet money on Rip before those other 2. Mabye its the fact that he fills a lot of the requirements. Consistency, low injury totals, good college career, a chip and numerous deep playoff runs,and memorable for that damn mask. He wont make it in (nor should he) but of those 3 I think he has the best chance. Hell throw Sheed and McDyess in there and I still think Rip would make it in before the Ravishing Rasheed (wrestling refernce) or Antonio Mcnuggets. Not sayin they werent nice wit it, I just like Rip’s chances the best of that whole squad
November 20th, 2007 at 12:41 pm
fiyaman says:
nope
November 20th, 2007 at 12:55 pm
The Jed says:
He needs two more championships and a couple more All Star appearences.
November 20th, 2007 at 1:39 pm
Gee says:
Nada
November 20th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
Damon says:
nahh, he is a nice player, but he has one one the weakest cases of the guys you listed until now.
he has to do A LOT until his career ends to get in, he never was outstanding, just solid
@ Myrie in NY: what happened to his mid range game? maybe you’ve seen him play more than i did, so what do you mean?
November 20th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Charles-K says:
In reference to the wrestling comment im gonna throw down Vince McMahon’s music.
“You’ve got no chance, No chance in hell”
nuff said. be serious dime
November 20th, 2007 at 1:58 pm
Charles-K says:
I am the only one who thinks this column has run out of steam? Who else is left? All the big names have pretty much bin done.
November 20th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
bliz289 says:
NO WAY he gets in if Mitch Richmond isn’t in! After all, isn’t Rip just a poor man’s Mitch Richmond?
November 20th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Russ says:
Close call, but I think he’s in. Should be a good debate.
-2 time big east player of the year
-2 time first team all american at uconn
-most outstanding player of ‘99 final four
-2nd all time leading scorer at Uconn(only played 3 years)
-above average CONSISTENT numbers for almost a decade.
-1 ncaa chip
-2 nba rings
-leading scorer on those pistons teams
-numbers go up in the playoffs
-good character, lots of charity off the court in detriot and his hometown of coatesville,pa
November 20th, 2007 at 2:19 pm
Russ says:
I think it’s a poor argument to say someone doesn’t get in because someone els ISN’T it….i’d say that’s simply an error on the part of the Hall and it’s committee. I think Richmond should be in as well.
November 20th, 2007 at 2:30 pm
Jay says:
Yo Russ… since when does Rip have 2 NBA rings?
And agreed Dime, Rip is out. He’s only been an above average player his entire career, nothing spectacular about him. He was an important member of that Pistons championship team, but so were the other 4 guys on that starting lineup.
November 20th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
Taliban says:
A great shooter who puts dudes in the hamster wheel trying to follow him around, but not in. He’s never been in the top 5 at his position in his career. He’s a great player, but not a Hall of Famer.
November 20th, 2007 at 3:06 pm
Russ says:
my bad, for some reason I thought they had won 2 titles….but they lost in 7 to the spurs the other year.
in any case..he’s got a chip at both levels.
November 20th, 2007 at 3:33 pm
Dave says:
“its really f***d up that bernard king still isnt in the HOF…really.”
I second that! Its a crime that Dantley isn’t in either.
November 20th, 2007 at 3:42 pm
djKianoosh says:
i dont know about this one. he might actually be in.. He runs around the court on offense a lot like reggie miller used to, without the crazy volume of threes sure.. he has won more than AI or Reggie, combined. It’s weird, cause on face value he might actually have a case made for him. but he doesn’t have that mass appeal like gang starr used to say.. LOL… anyway what I mean is that he compares pretty favorably if you get beyond the fact that he’s not superstar flashy and all. he’s not a #1 guy granted, but does every HoF guy have to be an alpha? A Phi A might like that, but this ain’t college. (man I’m loaded with cheesy comments today)… i say after a few more deep playoff runs he’ll get in eventually, maybe not first ballot, but eventually.
November 20th, 2007 at 4:23 pm
DOC says:
He’s a winner for sure but I doubt HOF because its never a time when hes top 5 at his position. Its a lot of dudes better.Reggie and AI got their teams to the chip and they weren’t nearly as strong as Rip squad.
November 20th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
MoxInTheWest says:
Did I miss something? Why do you guys always mention the college accolades? Do they figure in to the HOF vote? I thought it was Professional Basketball HOF…
November 20th, 2007 at 8:22 pm
Russ says:
Yes, it’s the BASKETBALL HOF…not just the NBA or Professional Basketball HOF.
November 20th, 2007 at 11:39 pm
Ian says:
out
November 21st, 2007 at 12:47 am
Bron42 says:
I’d say rasheed is in way before rip. I mean sure hes a head case but hes abused people while on good teams and still abused people while on bad teams. And dare i say at one point was one of the top mismatches in the league.
November 21st, 2007 at 10:18 am
Charles-K says:
We ain’t talkin about ’sheed.
Rip is good, not good enough. His stats are just not good enough. Winning once as a piece, not the main man, and doing well in collage don’t make you a HOFer it makes you a good player.
November 21st, 2007 at 12:15 pm
Bron42 says:
1. people mentioned sheed in another post…so don’t tell me who were talkn about like i cant read H.O.F RIP HAMILTON. thanks for your input.
2. If people are gonna say guys are in based on international accomplishments, then guys are in based on college stats too.
November 21st, 2007 at 1:23 pm
Pistons fan says:
Im a huge Piston fan, but the HOF is for the elite, the guys who made their mark on the game, not just good players, the above average, kick you in the ass, guy that comes along once every five to ten years doing stuff you havent seen in a while.
November 23rd, 2007 at 11:00 am
Celts Fan says:
I’d say out, but I like the 2nd or 3rd option on a perennial championship contender like Rip (or Joe Dumars for that matter) infinitely more than I like dude that puts up better numbers on a perennial bottom-feeder like Elton Brand.
May 27th, 2008 at 7:45 pm
Guy says:
I say he gets in. If he really is anything like Reggie Miller, its in his physique and physical tools. Meaning he could play another 8-10 years at a high level.
Rips very underrated. His backcourt mate gets a ton of credit for Rips ability to make an offense work. The key part of Rips game is unselfishness. He’s a coaches dream because he scores his points in 1/4th the dribbles and time with the ball that other SG’s do. (eg Ray Allen, VC, T-Mac) This keeps the ball moving and everyone involved, yet Rip consistantly shows the ability to create for others and plays with an amazing efficiency. 48% FGA 2005-08, with only 2.0 TO. Which brings up his other amazing attribute. Consistancy. The guy scores 20 ppg in the playoffs every single time out. Noone has done this as many times in the league since 2000 except Tim Duncan.
Lastly his defense is vastly underrated.