The FACT is that Jordan had game shape, chemistry, etc., in 1992, and Drexler’s Blazers STILL took Jordan to 6 games — with guys like Kevin Duckworth and Buck Williams and Jerome Kersey in the middle. In 1995, Drexler had HAKEEM OLAJUWON in the middle, plus solid contributors like Cassell, Robert Horry, Kenny Smith, and Mario Elie around him. So, don’t act like it’s automatic that a healthy MJ would have beaten that Rockets team. Geez. By the way, remember that Rockets team SWEPT the Magic (with Shaq & Penny Hardaway) in 4 games in 1995.

This is the most funny and frustating part of the HOF because even tough he’s a class player with guts/heart he will not be in the HOF because he spent too many years playing for bad/loosing teams.You surround him with players like say Nash has, for as long a period of time and he would have truly shined.

Cassell is the classic complementary player, same as Pippen was.Alone they will be known as solid players but not superstars.You only get their full benefits if you pair them with complementary superstars.Case in point….Cassell’s first year with KG.KG wins MVP, Sam I am makes first All Star appearance,Minny makes it out of the first round for the first time to the WCF Finals.Just imagine if KG and Cassell were together for about 4-5 years in his prime.Having said all that…. sad but he will be out.

I think it’s fair to say had he played the entire year and actually been in basketball shape and re-developed the chemistry they had 2 years prior things might have been a bit different.

His game is certainly better than the numbers would indicate, and he is one the great basketball personalities of all time. My guess is that if you polled the players he would get in. Short of that he is probably out, unless he brings home a ring or NBA finals appearance in the final years of his career.

Funny thing, had the Clippers won the conference semi’s a couple of years back, we would probably not even be questioning his HOF credentials.

But as far a sHOF goes..I don’t know. Definately makes it in the HALL Of VERY GOOD…..

Some great clutch shots as mentioned..the unguardable baseline fadeaway…..gives people buckets….teams are always successful after his arrival.

I guess I would’ve liked to have seen a bit more from the assist’s end, or score a few more ppg per game.

I’m not sure I’d put the lack of all star appearances as a knock on him, I think part of that was always playing in conferences loaded with heavy guard talent during his prime years.

Hurts me to say, but I guess he’s out.