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The Hall of Fame Case for Chris Webber

The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, home to more than 300 inductees, is a select group of the finest names associated with the game of basketball. Sacramento Kings legend Chris Webber has a strong argument to join Springfield’s privileged few.

From the start of his pro career, the former top overall draft pick made an impact on the League. He led to the Golden State Warriors back into the Playoffs and won Rookie of the Year honors. The team was 16 wins improved over the previous season, their record rocketing to 50-32 in C-Webb’s first year in the NBA.

As his career progressed, the power forward continued to win awards and leave his mark on the record books. He was a bona fide All-Star and made it to the midseason exhibition five times throughout his career.

He was a five-time All-NBA player, including an appearance on the first-team All-League squad in the 2000-01 season with the Kings. He finished in the top 10 of MVP voting in five straight seasons.

While these accolades showed the amount of legitimacy he had among fans and media, his statistics back up the honors.

With his ability to run the floor, stroke the jumper, handle the ball, and pass like a point guard, his diverse skillset was atypical of players his size. During the prime of his career, his athleticism was among the league’s best.

Since 1983, only one player has had a game with 50 points and 25 rebounds. The former Kings great achieved the feat in front of a home crowd at Arco Arena in 2001.

No. 4 won a rebounding title in the 1998-99 season with the Kings, breaking Dennis Rodman’s streak. At 13 rebounds per game, the feat also marked a career-high.

There are only 21 players in the history of the League that have averaged at least 20 points and nine rebounds per game. Among the retired players on that list, all are in Springfield, except for Webber.

There are only five retired players in the history of the NBA that have averaged at least 20 points, nine rebounds and four assists per game. No. 4 is one of them. All-time greats Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Larry Bird, and Billy Cunningham are the only retired players except for Webber to achieve the feat. They are all in the Hall of Fame, except for C-Webb.

There are very few people that have achieved what he has in his career. These peers have all been enshrined in the Hall of Fame. His resume is among the best the League has seen and he has an argument to join his peers in Springfield.