It is award season in the NBA, and while we have a section (that we are in the process of updating) where we look at every award and its impact in Hall of Fame induction, we have felt that post-season All-NBA honors are colossal.

If you can, indulge us as we look at all 15 All-NBA spots, and offer a quick speculation on what it means for a Springfield spot.

First Team:

Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers. (Ranked #21 on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). The Sixers superstar won the MVP, and is a First Team All-NBA player this year. No player who won the MVP has ever failed to enter the Hall (though we think Derrick Rose will buck that trend), and he could become a Champion this year. This is the season that should cement his induction, and when we revise the Monitor, he will have a monstrous jump.

Jayson Tatum, Boston Celtics. (Ranked #33 on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). Tatum is now a back-to-back First Team All-Star, and if you didn’t think he was not among the top five players in basketball last year, don’t you now? This is a future Hall of Fame inductee.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks. (Ranked #6 on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). Giannis has already done enough to enter the Hall, and the two-time MVP now has a five-year streak of First Team All-Pros.

Luka Doncic, Dallas Mavericks. (Ranked #27 on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). Doncic will also see a seismic rise in next year’s pre-season Monitor, and while the Luka/Kyrie experiment flopped, Doncic earned this accolade. He is also on a four-year run of First Team All-Pros.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder. (Unranked on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). Gilgeous-Alexander had his breakthrough, and it is colossal for his Hall of Fame chances. We know that anyone as young as SGA will not enter a Hall on one great year, it is a lot harder for players without a First Team All-NBA to gain induction. He has one now, and isn’t done yet.

Second Team:

Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets. (Ranked #8 on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). Jokic did not repeat as MVP, but under next year’s All-NBA format would have added another First Team All-NBA. A two-time MVP will enter the Hall regardless, it is just now whether or not he can be a champion.

Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors. (Ranked #3 on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). Curry is already first ballot, so this doesn’t mean much for Springfield, but notably this is his ninth All-NBA nod.

Donovan Mitchell, Cleveland Cavaliers. (Ranked #44 on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). As big as we said that Gilgeous-Alexander’s First Team, we think this Second Team is bigger for Mitchell. While we said it was possible for a player to make the Hall without a First Team, it is next to impossible to enter without an All-NBA of any kind, despite how many All-Stars you have. Mitchell, who is a four-time All-Star, gains his first All-NBA nod, and should have more in him.

Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat. (Ranked #17 on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). Right here. For our money, the man helped the most is Butler, whose first half was not good enough to earn an All-Star nod, but had a great second half which propelled him to his fifth All-NBA Selection. Butler never was named a First Team, but anyone with five All-NBAs (and five All-Defensives) should now be on the positive side of the fence.

Jaleyn Brown, Boston Celtics. (Unranked on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). Brown finally achieved an All-NBA Selection, and though this is far from enough to even be considered for a plaque, it is an excellent building block for a future conversation.

Third Team

LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers. (Ranked #1 on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). James is the best player of this generation and adding another All-NBA (his 19^th) is a drop in his bucket. Holy crap, 19?

Domantas Sabonis, Sacramento Kings. (Ranked #45 on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). Sabonis had an excellent year, taking the Kings to their first playoff in years. It has been a great fit for Sabonis, who should build on this resume if he stays healthy.

De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings. (Unranked on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). Fox lands his first All-NBA Selection, but has a lot more to do. Is this a one-and-done, or the start of something phenomenal?

Damian Lillard, Portland Trail Blazers. (Ranked #12 on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). Portland was awful, but Dame wasn’t adding his seventh All-NBA. No player with seven of those and seven All-Stars will not be inducted regardless of whether he played in an NBA Final.

Julius Randle, New York Knicks. (Ranked #41 on Notinhalloffame’s Active HOF Monitor). Randle captured his second All-Star and post-season All-Star, and his slowly rising on the HOF radar. Is he considered one now? No, but if he has five more years just like this, he should be borderline.

Notably, Ja Morant’s failure to make the All-NBA cost him nearly 40 millin dollars. Does this make it the most costly Instagram post of all-time?

Achieving financial success through sports requires careful consideration of numerous factors that ultimately affect the outcome. Agents have become essential advisors in contract negotiation decisions through their unique understanding of player and team needs. However, navigating the details of a professional sports contract can be complex and often filled with potential minefields. In this post, we'll look at six key pitfalls to avoid during contract negotiations to ensure successful long-term outcomes for players and teams alike.

Don't Forget To Read The Fine Print - Understand All Terms And Conditions Of The Contract Before Signing

Expert Damarius Bilbo of Klutch Sports knows contracts are often considered a necessary evil in our modern world. They are signed frequently, whether for a job or a service. But how often do we read the fine print? It can be tempting to skip over it and sign on the dotted line. However, reading and fully understanding all the terms and conditions can save you from many headaches and frustrations. Don't let the excitement of a new job or service blind you, take a breath and read the fine print. It may be tedious at the time, but it can prevent a lot of troubles and surprises in the future. So the next time you're presented with a contract, take the time to fully understand all aspects before putting your signature on it.

Know What You're Worth - Do Your Research On Market Prices For Similar Players And Don't Settle For Less

When negotiating your worth, it's essential to research and know what you're worth in the market. Don't settle for less than what you deserve. Take the time to research market prices for similar players and use that information to your advantage. Knowing your worth gives you leverage in negotiations and allows you to confidently ask for what you deserve. By researching, you can ensure you're not leaving money on the table and receive a fair and equitable compensation package. Remember, advocating for yourself is essential, and being prepared with market research is an excellent way.

Don't Be Afraid To Ask Questions - Make Sure You Understand The Financial Terms Of The Contract

When signing a contract, it can be easy to get caught up in the excitement of a new opportunity and skim over the fine print. However, it's essential to take a step back and ensure you fully understand the financial terms of the agreement before signing on the dotted line. Don't be afraid to ask questions, even if they seem basic or silly. It's better to ask and fully comprehend the terms now than to regret it later when you're over your head. Remember, contracts are legally binding agreements, and you want to be confident in what you agree to. So speak up and ensure that you fully comprehend the contract's financial terms before you commit.

Don't Let Emotions Get In The Way Of Negotiations - Try To Remain Rational And Professional Throughout The Process

Negotiations can often be tricky, and it's easy to let emotions get the better of us. However, remaining rational and professional throughout the talks is crucial to achieving the best possible outcome. Taking a step back, breathing, and thinking before responding to any offer or situation that arises during negotiations is essential. By staying calm and composed, we can ensure that our negotiation strategy remains focused and effective, ultimately leading to a successful outcome for all parties involved.

Have A Contingency Plan In Place If Negotiations Fail - It May Be Helpful To Have A Backup Plan In Case Negotiations Break Down Unexpectedly

Negotiations can be unpredictable. Even if you're confident in your abilities to reach an agreement, it's still essential to have a contingency plan in place. A backup plan can help you prepare for unexpected impasses or breakdowns in the negotiation process. Having a plan B doesn't mean that you're being pessimistic or unprepared, but somewhat proactive. It can help you maintain control of the situation and prevent any adverse effects from unplanned conflicts. So whether you're heading into a business meeting or any other form of discussion, it's always wise to have a backup plan in your back pocket.

Final Thoughts

Ultimately, signing a professional contract is a significant milestone in any athlete’s career. When presented with the opportunity to negotiate terms, it's essential to do thorough due diligence, has experienced legal support on hand, and make sure all parties involved know their roles and responsibilities. It is also vital to approach negotiations rationally rather than emotionally, as there could be severe legal implications if any term or clause of the agreement is breached. Lastly, be sure you have a contingency plan should negotiations disintegrate. Taking the time upfront to ensure you fully understand the nuances of your agreement gives you the best chance of success and enjoyment during this exciting time in your athletic career.

Two months ago, The Country Music Hall of Fame announced their 2023 Class, which inducted Patti Loveless, Tanya Tucker and Bob McDill in the Songwriter’s category.  This necessitated a revision of our Notinhalloffame.com Country lists.

We need to acknowledge the work of Aaron James Freeman, who is the curator of this list, and without such, would not be possible.  The effort involved is appreciated more than we can articulate.

When you can, please take a look at Aaron’s work, in honoring those worthy of consideration for the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Please check out the links here:

Modern List

Veteran List

Thank you again for your support, and look for more material from us at Notinhalloffame.com.

It is with great pleasure that we continue the third annual Notinhalloffame MLB Regular Season Cup, and let us explain how this works:

With every single regular season game, we anointed the best five players in the game with descending points, 5-4-3-2-1.

We knew the following:

-       The top players for the MLB NIHOF Cup are not always the best in the league, as injuries keep players out of games, and a premium on staying healthy can help pile up points. It also does not hurt to be a top player on an average or mediocre team, as they can amass Cup points easier that elite players on loaded squads.

-       In Baseball, it is more common than in Basketball and Hockey for a player to accrue points with a single Home Run in a game, and overall favors position players. Starting Pitchers have a hard time with approximately 30-35 Starts and throwing less innings than in previous generations. This also is true for closers, which is not made for this process.

-       Please remember, that this is NOT necessarily who we think were the best players this year, and does not reflect overall consistency. Treat this the way did, as a fun process and more of a compilation of temporary statistical domination.

At present 664 (up from 619 last week) Players have generated at least one Cup Point.

So, MLB players! Get your agents to work winning this into your contracts!

This is the second update, with standings as of May 8.

1. Rafael Devers: Boston Red Sox, Third Base: (Ranked #1 Last Week)

49 Cup Points, 35 Games, 1.40 Cup Points per Game, 11 Home Runs, 34 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .250/.301/.550, 1.1 bWAR.

Devers remains a slight surprise at the top of the heap, batting only .250 with an OBP barely over three, but he has been collecting runs when it matters. Currently the American League leader in Home Runs (11), Devers is second in RBIs (34), fifth in OPS (.879) and eighth in Slugging (.550).

2. Shohei Ohtani: Los Angeles Angels, Designated Hitter & Pitcher: (Ranked #2 last week)

45 Cup Points, 33 Games, 1.36 Cup Points per Game, 7 Home Runs, 20 Runs Batted In, 5 SB, .295/.366/.512, 2.2 bWAR & 4-0, 2.54 ERA, 59 SO, 0.872 WHIP.

The Notinhalloffame Cup is built for Ohtani, who can compile points in two different avenues; the only one who can do so. The Japanese superstar led his nation to a World Cup, and right now his Angels have a winning record. Ohtani is off to his best pitching start, leading the AL in Strikeouts (59), and he is his usual self with the bat. We can’t imagine Ohtani not leading this by June.

3 (TIE). Ronald Acuna: Atlanta Braves, Outfield: (Ranked #6 Last Week)

40 Cup Points, 35 Games, 1.14 Cup Points per Game, 6 Home Runs, 21 Runs Batted In, 15 SB, .338/.431/.551, 2.0 bWAR.

Acuna leads all NL batters in bWAR (2.0), Runs Scored (30), Stolen Bases (15) and Power-Speed # (8.6), and is in the top five in Batting Average and On Base Percentage.

3 (TIE). Ozzie Albies: Atlanta Braves, Second Base: (Not in the Top Ten Last Week)

40 Cup Points, 35 Games, 1.24 Cup Points per Game, 9 Home Runs, 26 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .283/.320/.543, 1.3 bWAR.

Albies is tied for third with teammate, Acuna, making Atlanta the first team with two ranked players (last week it was the Angels). While the Second Baseman is not in the top ten in any major category, he is close, and has been money when it matters.

5 (TIE). Max Muncy: Los Angeles Dodgers, First Base: (Ranked #3, Last Week)

39 Cup Points, 31 Games, 1.26 Cup Points per Game, 12 Home Runs, 28 Runs Batted In, 1 SB, .218/.385/.584, 1.4 bWAR.

Muncy is only batting .218, but he is also at the top of the leaderboard in Home Runs (12) and is third in Slugging (.584).

5 (TIE). Marcus Semien: Texas Rangers, Shortstop: (Ranked #9, Last Week)

39 Cup Points, 33 Games, 1.18 Cup Points per Game, 5 Home Runs, 28 Runs Batted In, 4 SB, .286/.377/.466, 2.0 bWAR.

Semien is currently second in Runs Scored (28), and fifths in RBIs in the AL (28). He is also seventh in Hits (38).

7. Ian Happ: Chicago Cubs, Outfield: (Not in the Top Ten Last Week)

38 Cup Points, 33 Games, 1.15 Cup Points per Game, 4 Home Runs, 15 Runs Batted In, 4 SB, .300/.418/.475, 0.7 bWAR.

Happ had a great week, placing him in the top ten here and he is also now in the top ten in OBP, Win Probability Added and Championship Win Probability Added.

8. Mike Trout: Los Angeles Angels, Outfield: (Ranked #3, Last Week)

37 Cup Points, 27 Games, 1.16 Cup Points per Game, 8 Home Runs, 20 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .308/.395/.589, 1.2 bWAR.

Trout remains the baseball player we all know and love and the future first-ballot Hall of Famer is currently is in the top ten in Hits, Home Runs, OBP, Slugging and OPS.

9 (TIE). Cody Bellinger: Chicago Cubs, Outfield:

36 Cup Points, 31 Games, 1.16 Cup Points per Game, 7 Home Runs, 19 Runs Batted In, 9 SB, .300/.368/.567, 1.9 bWAR.

Is Cody back? The 2019 MVP faltered in his last three seasons as a Dodger, but he playing excellent baseball at the moment and emerging from the grave that many pundits dug for him. In the NL. Bellinger is second in bWAR for NL Position Players (1.9), and seventh in Slugging (.567).

6 (TIE). Yordan Alvarez: Houston Astros, Designated Hitter & Outfield:

36 Cup Points, 28 Games, 1.29 Cup Points per Game, 7 Home Runs, 31 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .275/.385/.539, 0.8 bWAR.

Alvarez has cooled off a bit after a blistering start, but is still third in RBIs (31), and is leading the NL in both Win Probability Added (2.6) and Championship Win Probability Added (1.5).

9 (TIE). Yandy Diaz: Tampa Bay Rays, Third Base:

36 Cup Points, 32 Games, 1.22 Cup Points per Game, 9 Home Runs, 19 Runs Batted In, 0 SB, .325/.435/.605, 1.5 bWAR.

Diaz has been excellent lately, and took over the American League lead in Runs Scored (29), OBP (.435), and has rocketed into second in Slugging (.605) and OPS (1.040).

Chicago’s (NL) Patrick Wisdom, Houston’s Yordan Alvarez, New York’s (NL) Pete Alonso and Tampa Bay’s Randy Arozarena have fallen out of the top ten.

Our next update will be the morning of May 15.