By Josh Whittemore, PSO Sports Operations Executive
May 16, 2021

 

The ‘Best of the Day’ is a daily PSO original series showcasing the most significant stories, highlights, and facts going on in the land of the NFL, NBA, & MLB every day. Get a recap on EVERYTHING that happened on 5/15 here

The 2020 NBA Hall of Fame class was inducted on Sunday, as the late Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett were each enshrined. This was arguably the greatest class ever, as all three players not only achieved incredible individual success, but also won at the highest level. Also, Jackie Bradley Jr. snagged another would-be homer, Julius Randle’s triple-double powered NYK past CHA in OT, and Magic Johnson set the NBA postseason record with 24 AST on this day in 1984.

Here is the best of the day from May 15, 2021:

2020 NBA Hall of Fame Class was finally inducted with 3 legends immortalized forever

After being delayed due to the pandemic, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame finally inducted the 2020 class on Sunday. While all Hall of Fame classes are special, the 2020 class will go down as one of, if not the best classes of all time, featuring three legendary figures in basketball history in Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett.

Bryant, Duncan, and Garnett combined for the most All-Star selections (48), All-NBA Teams (39), and All-NBA First Teams (25) of any class ever. While their statistical success and awards were unmatched, even more impressive was their winning legacies. Kobe (5x champion), Duncan (5x), and KG (1x) won 11 of 16 NBA titles between 1999 and 2014 while combining for four other finals appearances. Each player will leave a lasting impact on the game of basketball due to both their team and individual success, and now will be forever immortalized in Springfield, Massachusetts.

Related: Stories of the Day

THIS HALL OF FAME CLASS WILL GO DOWN AS THE GREATEST EVER

The trio of Kobe BryantTim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett have accounted for 11 of the last 22 NBA championships (50%), and are the main members of the NBA HOF class of 2020. They are all legends when it comes to the game of basketball, and will collectively go down as the greatest class in the history of the sport. On top of the 11 rings, they have accumulated 48 All-Star appearances, 25 All-NBA first team awards, 26 All-NBA defensive first-team honors, five finals MVPs, and four season MVPs.

When it comes to ranking them amongst the others, their biggest competition is the class of 2009, which featured Michael JordanJohn Stockton, and David Robinson. MJ is generally considered the best basketball player ever, and they rank fifth, sixth, and 19th respectively in all-time NBA win shares. Although the advanced analytics ranks 2009 slightly higher than the class of 2020 (largely single-handedly because of MJ), Kobe/Duncan/KG have more titles, All-Star appearances, and fist team All-NBA awards.

As a whole, there is no doubt this is the greatest class ever because of how decorated each player is. KG leads the Timberwolves in all-time points, rebounds, assists, blocks, and steals. He is the only player to lead a current franchise in all five of these categories. Duncan is widely considered the greatest Power Forward of all time as the main cog in the Spurs dominant dynasty. Kobe, by most standards, is a top-five player to ever touch a basketball court while transcending the sport and beyond with his ‘mamba mentality’.

Related: NBA Takeaways of the Day

Jackie Bradley Jr. added to his career collection 

Related: MLB Highlights

PF Julius Randle, NYK (W v.CHA): 33 PTS (12-25 FG | 4-10 3P), 13 AST, 10 REB, 0 BLK, 1 STL, 4 TO

Related: Players of the Day

Charlotte Hornets (109) vs. New York Knicks (118) [OT]

[Highlights] @KNICKS (-225; $18.02) d. HORNETS (+194; $14.88118-109 (OT) [NYK -5.5 | o211.5]

Related: Games of the Day

Julius Randle is having one of the greatest seasons in Knicks history

  • 1st Knicks player to average 20+ PPG/10+ RPG/5+ APG over 1 season in franchise history
 

Related: Facts of the Day 

Emmitt Smith was the greatest RB in NFL History

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DATE: May 15, 1984

SIGNIFICANCE: Magic Johnson set a playoff record with 24 AST in the Lakers’ Game 2 win over Phoenix in the WCF

Related: Significant Sports History

 

 

 

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