Lavvie Dilweg was a celebrated athlete who played for Marquette before signing with the Milwaukee Badgers in 1926. Unfortunately, the team folded that year. However, Dilweg's career continued as he joined the Green Bay Packers in 1927 and played for them until 1934. Dilweg was considered to be one of the most versatile players of his time, and his peers regarded him as one of the top tacklers and blockers. Although statistics were not well-kept in those days, it is believed he had 27 Interceptions and was a constant behind his opponent’s line of scrimmage; Dilweg was also a decent offensive player, using his quickness to evade tacklers. He helped his team win three consecutive NFL Championships (1929, 1930 & 1931).
Dilweg was named to the 1920s All-Decade Team and was a First-Team All-Pro for five consecutive years (1927 to 1931). Despite these accolades, he was never even nominated for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which is considered a curious omission to many. While some Green Bay fans champion other players for the Hall of Fame, Lavvie Dilweg is the biggest snub. However, the fact that he was named a Finalist by the Centennial Slate Class offers a little hope for the future, though not much.
Pre-2019-20 Rank: #49, Pre-2020-21 Rank: #39, Pre-2021-22 Rank: #32, Pre-2022-23 Rank: #21, Pre-2023-24 Rank: #10.
*Peak Period: 2017-24
Joel Embiid has yet to play 500 Games in the NBA. Like most big men, he often misses time due to injury, but the Center has proven to be a top-five player over the last few years, including his 2022-23 MVP.
The now-American enters this season with a seven-season All-Star streak and has averaged well over 30 Points per Game over the last three seasons. This is all fantastic and displays a Hall of Fame career, but Embiid has yet to will his hard-luck Sixers into even an Eastern Conference Final.
The Hall will call his name, but he has to bring Philadelphia deeper into meaningful soring basketball than before.
Pre-2019-20 Season: #44, Pre-2020-21 Season: #41, Pre-2021-22 Rank: #37, Pre-2022-23 Rank: #37, Pre-2023-24 Rank: #33
Peak Period: 2016-17 to 2022-23
Beal completed 11 seasons in Washington, where he almost won a scoring title, had two 30-plus PPG years, and went to three All-Star Games, but the Wizards were a low-profile team, and Beal was never in that top-tier or even considered a must-watch player. That was expected to change as he joined Phoenix in 2023 as the final piece to the championship puzzle, but Beal and the Suns slumped, and the Guard had his worst year to date.
The Hall of Fame dream is likely over if he cannot rebound this season.