Post by Rog on Jul 1, 2016 21:19:43 GMT
The 36th nominee of the NBN Hall of Fame is one of the league's OG marksmen, one of the best shooters of all time. He slowed down as more talent came into the league but he was seriously elite for a good 8 year stretch. The ultimate peak vs longevity case, how will the league vote? Lets take a look at the numbers.
Career Stats
32.8 MPG, 20 PPG, 6.5 RPG, 1.7 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 1.2 TOPG on 46.7% from the field, 85.9% from the line, and 44.0% from three
Best Season
2005(76ers) - 29.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG, 1.9 APG, 1.2 SPG, 0.2 BPG, 1.5 TOPG on 47.8% from the field, 85% from the line, and 42.5% from three
Career Highs
Points: 52
Rebounds: 16
Assists: 8
Steals: 6
Blocks: 3
Achievements
Championships: 2
Player of the Game: 67
Player of the Week: 0
Player of the Month: 0
Double Doubles: 184
Triple Doubles: 0
Accolades
2001 - 3-Point Shootout Champion
2004 - All-League Third Team
2005 - All-Star Game Participant
2005 - All-League Second Team
Arguments For Induction
- Named to an All-League Third team and a Second Team, played in one All-Star game and won a three point shootout.
- Was a dynamite scorer and an even better pure shooter, possibly one of the best in league history. He hit the 15th most three pointers in league history, which isn't impressive until you consider he only played in 140 games his last there years and only played in around 10 minutes a game in those 140 games. At some point or another its almost guaranteed he was top 3-5. His career 20 points a game also doesn't tell entire story, in his prime you could count on around 24 points a game on a 47/87/44 slash line. Thats absolutely elite in every sense of the word.
- Stupid efficient with the ball, only turning it over 1.2 times a game for his career and always, except one season where he was exactly at 2 a game, never averaged 2 or more turnovers a game.
- His career rebounding numbers are absolutely brought down by his final three years. When he was playing at an elite level, Peja was good for 7.5 rebounds, which isn't elite but its slightly above average.
- Won two titles as apart of the 76ers with fellow 2013 HOF Candidate Vince Carter. He was a main contributor to those teams as well, playing 2nd fiddle on one and third fiddle on another.
- Overall, its tough to make a longevity case for Peja, but his peak was so good you really don't have to. He had a 7 year stretch where you could easily count on 25 points, 7.5 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal, and shot 47/87/44. Combined with his two titles in that stretch, how do you say no to Peja?
Arguments Against Induction
- Tough as hell to put any guy into the Hall of Fame with the lack of awards Peja has, but I feel I'm repeating myself here.
- He also just flat out doesn't have the career numbers to be a Hall of Famer. 27th in points? Even 15th in three pointers? Just doesn't scream Hall of Fame. He had a good peak, but it didn't last long enough for him to be a Hall of Famer did it?
- He didn't do anything besides score. Average rebounder, passer, probably below average defender.
- Speaking of defender, he wasn't very good. Showed a B or B- a lot of his career and doesn't have the stocks to make up for what was probably below average positional defense. That just isn't what a Hall of Famer does.
- There just isn't enough here, is there? Lack of awards, never was the main guy on a title team, short peak/quick drop off, and even when he was "elite" he really was just a scorer who didn't contribute to his teams success in any other way. And most of all, was he ever feared? Did you go into the playoffs going "man I hope not to face the 76ers, Peja is gonna kill us." No, you didn't you were worried about Vince Carter and Stephon Marbury, not Peja. Thats not a Hall of Famer, sorry.
Vote carefully, and remember to throw out arguments regardless of which side you're on. This should be a discussion that eventually gets the league to the proper decision on him. Your vote can also be retracted after it's been cast if you feel like switching to the other side based on the arguments that have been made. To be inducted, a player needs 70% and to be considered in a later class they need 50%. Vote carefully!
***BONUS - Don't forget that everyone who votes gets $25 and the person that makes the best argument or contributes to the discussion the best will be awarded an extra $25***
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