Many NBA players have careers that are split into two halves—the first half as starters and All-Star calibre players, while the second half is spent as role players on the bench. However, when it comes to Andre Iguodala, it's hard to say which half was better.

Iguodala was an All-Pac 10 Selection at Arizona and was picked by the Philadelphia 76ers in the first round (9th overall) of the 2005 NBA draft. He was an All-Rookie who was known for his strong defence, but he soon developed a scoring touch and had four consecutive seasons (2006-07 to 2009-10) where he averaged more than 17 points per game while still maintaining his focus on defence. Iguodala received Defensive Player of the Year votes eight times and even finished fifth in his first year with the Golden State Warriors, which was coincidentally his last year as a starter.

Iguodala's defence and added depth on the roster helped the Warriors become a special team, and in 2015, they won the NBA Championship. Iguodala made history as the first bench player to win the Finals MVP, and although his role reduced year by year, he was still a part of three more Championships (2016, 2018, and 2020). Over his career, he also played for Denver and Miami.

In addition to his NBA accomplishments, Iguodala also won a Gold Medal in the 2010 Olympics and 2010 FIBA Worlds. When asked once if he thought he was a Hall of Famer, he emphatically said no. He's probably right, but he's not as far away as he thinks.

Very few players have their begun their career like Julio Rodriguez.

Signed at the age of 16 as an International Free Agent from the Dominican Republic, Rodriguez tore it up in the Minors and was deemed a future superstar by the scouts.  He debuted for Seattle as their 2022 Opening Day Centerfielder, and won Rookie of the Month honors in both May and June.  J-Rod was proving the scouts right, as this was a five-tool player who joined select company, making the All-Star Game as a rookie.  He finished the season with 28 Home Runs, 25 Stolen Bases and an OPS of .853.  Rodriguez also was seventh in MVP voting, and won a Silver Slugger.

Rodriguez did not have a sophomore slump as he increased his numbers from his debut year. This time, he blasted 32 Home Runs, 103 RBIs, and 37 stolen bases. Again, he went to the All-Star Game and won his second Silver Slugger and was fourth in MVP voting. In addition, he was an All-MLB 2 Selection.   Last season Rodriguez failed to make the All-Star Game, but was solid with 20 Home Runs and a .409 Slugging Average, though that is his lowest production thus far.

Entering his fourth season in the Majors, Seattle has a potential MVP in Rodriguez.

Two days after the WWE announced that Paul Heyman would be entering the WWE Hall of Fame, the second entrant, former WWE Women’s Champion Bull Nakano, has been announced.

Nakano began wrestling in her native Japan at the age of 15 and was a natural.  She would shortly join Dump Matsumoto and begin a reign of terror throughout All-Japan Women’s Wrestling.  Adopting a gigantic hairstyle and adding girth, Nakano was a beast of the division, and by 1990, became the face of the company and their top singles champion for over two years.  After she lost the title to Aja Kong, she was phased out, and she departed for CMLL in Mexico, where she became their first Women’s Champion.  A year later, she was signed by the WWE to work with their champion, Alundra Blayze.

Nakano came into the WWE and unsuccessfully challenged Blayze at Summer Slam 1994.  She would beat Blayze for the belt at the Tokyo Egg Dome and held it until she lost the title back to Blayze the bight after Wrestlemania XI.  That would be her last night in the WWE.  Nakano would later compete in WCW, again wrestling Blayze (who had reverted back to her Madusa moniker).  Nakano retired shortly after, hanging up the tights in 1997, and she went on to enjoy a career in ladies' golf.

The WWE roster has never had a greater contingent of Japanese female wrestling talent with Asuka, Iyo Sky and Kairi Sane under contract.  We imagine that this combination will be the co-presenters for this induction.

Nakano was ranked #75 on our Notinhalloffame list of those to consider for the WWE Hall of Fame. Notably, we will work to revise that list following Wrestlemania, and Nakano will be one of the names removed.

We here at Notinhalloffame.com would like to congratulate Bull Nakano for her impending honor.

On Sean Casey’s podcast yesterday, Josh Donaldson announced his retirement from Major League Baseball.

A controversial player who wore his emotions on his sleeves, Donaldson was first drafted by the Chicago Cubs as a Catcher, but after he was traded to the Oakland Athletics and was converted to a Third Baseman, he had a path to the Majors.  Donaldson debuted in Oakland in 2010 for a brief stay, but was back in 2012 to start the year, though was sent back down to AAA.  After he was called back up in August, Donaldson was back to stay.

Donaldson batted .301 with 24 Home Runs, 93 RBIs with an .883 OPS in 2013 and was fourth in MVP voting.  He followed that with a season with better power numbers (29 HR, 98 RBI) and was an All-Star for the first time.  The A’s knew that they would not be able to resign the rising star, so they did what they always do: they traded Donaldson.  His landing place was Toronto, and he paid immediate dividends by giving them the best season of his life.

In 2015, Donaldson was on fire, leading the AL in Runs (122) and RBIs (123) with 41 Home Runs and a Slash Line of .297/.371/.568.  He also won his first Silver Slugger and the Hank Aaron Award.  Donaldson followed that up with another excellent campaign, winning his second Silver Slugger, finishing fourth in MVP voting, and belting 37 Home Runs with 99 RBIs.  He was not an All-Star in 2017, but was still strong with 33 Home Runs, and in all three full seasons with Toronto, Donaldson had a Slugging Percentage of .549 or higher.  Donaldson had a myriad of health issues through 2018 and was traded to Cleveland, but he only played 52 Games.  It looked like Donaldson might be done, but he had other ideas.

Donaldson signed with Atlanta for one season, and he had his comeback year with 37 Home Runs and 94 RBIs, and he again had a Slugging Percentage over .500 (.521).  This was his last great year, as Donaldson signed with the Minnesota Twins, and injuries mounted, as did his brash comments.  Allegedly, he angered the entire Chicago White Sox (especially Tim Anderson), and as his play declined, his filter receded.  He finished his career with a disappointing run with the New York Yankees, and although his career ended with a whimper, his time as a lion was spectacular.

Overall, Donaldson had 279 Home Runs, 816 RBIs and 1,310 Hits.

Here at Notinhalloffame.com, we would like to wish Josh Donaldson the best in his post-playing career.