It's been almost two weeks since the NBA announced its finalists for the 2018 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
With two point guards — Jason Kidd and Steve Nash — expected to headline the ceremony, you kind of sensed that someone of Chauncey Billups' caliber, who, like those two, was also an elite floor general in his prime, would have an interesting take — and sure enough, he did.
Billups, the only one with a Finals MVP trophy between the three expressed in an exclusive TMZ interview that he believes he is a ‘HOFer.'
“I think that I am, obviously, there's so many other worthy guys, but I do. I think my story is really unique, my fight is really unique.”
He then went on to make a strong case for himself — not that he needed too. From his underdog days with the University of Colorado, wherein he helped the Buffaloes end its 26-year NCAA tournament drought, to being a borderline bust and then rising to become an NBA champion, it's clear that “Mr. Big Shot” deserves a spot in Springfield.
Ever the generous distributor, Billups did not forget to campaign for two of his Detroit Pistons teammates, Ben Wallace and Rip Hamilton.
“I think there's a case to be made for Rip … I think Ben is the easiest case out of all 3 of us to be honest with you.”
Rip has an NCAA title, while Ben is a four-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year awardee.
The three were key pieces in the Pistons' memorable 2004 championship win, where they overwhelmed the heavily-favored Los Angeles Lakers, 4-1. They also enjoyed a good run of dominance in the Eastern Conference, as they reached the Conference Finals for six consecutive seasons (2003-2008).
We know what you're thinking. What about Rasheed Wallace, right?
Relax. Chauncey might not have mentioned Sheed because he seems to have an easy ticket to a Hall-of-Fame induction.
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