Pre-2019-20 Rank: #26, Pre-2020-21 Rank: #19, Pre-2021-22 Rank: #17, Pre-2022-23 Rank: #17, Pre-2023-24 Rank: #13.

*Positional Note:  Butler has played significant time over his career as a Shooting Guard and Power Forward.

*Peak Period: 2016-17 to 2022-23.

Jimmy Butler is a fascinating case for the Hall of Fame.  Known for his playoff and big-game performances, Butler has not yet won an NBA Title but has led his teams (especially Miami) closer than they deserved.  Butler is A six-time All-Star, a one-time Second Team, and four-time Third Team All-NBA Selection, but he has only finished in the top ten in MVP voting once.

If you consider Butler a bubble candidate, remember that his strength defensively (he is a five-time Second Team All-Defensive Selection) should increase his chances, but it feels like Butler needs a little more to get into the Hall in his first two years on the ballot.

Pre-2019-20 Rank: #25, Pre-2020-21 Rank: #26, Pre-2021-22 Rank: #26, Pre-2022-23 Rank: #26, Pre-2023-24 Rank: #20.

Peak Period: 2014-15 to 2020-21.

Much of the last decade’s success of the Golden State Warriors can be attributed to Draymond Green, the tenacious (and often dirty) defensive stud whose work makes it easier for his teammates beyond the paint.  A four-time Champion and four-time All-Star, Green won the 2016-17 Defensive Player of the Year and eight-time All-Defensive player, he could follow the long line of defensive specialists who have entered the Hall, but he is running dangerously close to “fouling out” due to his actions.

Ask Bill Laimbeer about that.

Pre-2019-20 Rank: #23.  Pre-2020-21 Rank: #25, Pre-2021-21 Rank #27, Pre-2022-23 Rank: #28, Pre-2023-24 Rank: #26

*Peak Period:  From 2009-10 to 2015-16

Last year, we said, “Al Horford's best years are behind him, but he is still a starter on an excellent Boston Celtics team that could win it all in 2024.”

That is what happened.

Horford has five All-Star Games on his resume, an NBA Champion, but the Hall looks at it all, including two NCAA Championships at Florida.  This is a better candidate than you might think, and he is still a favored championship contender.

Pre-2019-20 Rank: #22, Pre-2020-21 Rank: #23, Pre-2021-22 Rank: #24, Pre-2022-23 Rank: #19, Pre-2023-24 Rank: #17

*Positional Notes:  Thompson is playing more at Small Forward these days, but his peak was in his role as a Shooting Guard.

*Peak Period:  From 2014-15 to 2022-23.  Note that Thompson missed the 2019-20 and 2020-21 Seasons, so this nine-year period is seven full seasons.

The elite period of Klay Thompson is over, but his narrative might be in the greatest state of flux.  Thompson was one-half of the Splash Brothers, but it was always known that his partner, Steph Curry, was the straw that stirred the drink.   A five-time All-Star, Thompson was a key part of Golden State’s last four NBA Titles, but at no time was he the top dog, and at times, not even the number two canine.

This year, Thompson joins Dallas, which is fresh off its Finals appearance.  If they win the NBA Championship in 2025, it will be a fun argument as to who it helps the most: Kyrie Irving or Klay Thompson.