Why The 2020 Hall Of Fame Class Is The Greatest Class In NBA History.

From the start of 2020, this year has been nothing but tragic in not just the sports world, but the entire world. Whether it’s this horrible COVID-19 that has been killing thousands of people across the globe or the tragic loss of Kobe Bryant, this year has been nothing but tragic in all types of aspects. Yet, one of the things that helps me get through the day is thinking about the greatest moments or highlights in NBA history. While looking around, I noticed a common trend within all of these highlight tapes, which is that Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett were all making appearances numerous times. From Kobe Bryant’s dunk over Khris Humphries and Gerald Wallace too Kevin Garnett screaming, “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE,” these moments in basketball history are still being watched today due to the legacy it holds and just the all-around greatness it has. However, as of this morning, it was announced that Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett have officially been inducted in too the Hall of Fame, which is something that no one was shocked about. The thing that shocks me the most about this 2020 class is how stacked it is as these three NBA players are regarded as the greatest players ever to play the game of basketball. The next generation of athletes after Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett have all been inspired and have looked up to them as if they were a superhero. Even though these athletes are just human beings at the end of the day, most if not all NBA fans feel as if some of these NBA players, including Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, and Kevin Garnett were much more than just a human being and instead are viewed as a superhero. 

The moment Kobe Bryant died, it was like apart of me died as a superhero of mine passed away and left not only his beloved family but the rest of the world who loved him. It is truly a shame that we will never be able to hear what Kobe Bryant would have to say in his Hall of Fame speech, but at least we can celebrate the greatest moments in his career. While the world continues to mourn and remember Kobe, some people might ask, why was he such an icon, and why do people view some of the all-time greats in basketball as superheroes?

Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett are easily top 5 in their respected positions. The reason why is simply due to the dominance and presence that they had on the court. Even though Tim Duncan was merely a silent killer on the court with a corner bank shot being the most iconic play in his career, Duncan was gifted with knowing and understanding the fundamentals of the game. The reason why Duncan was able to win 5 NBA championships, 2 MVPs, 3 Finals MVPs, while also being a 15-time all-star was solely due to him posting up in the paint while using his skills for good use. His fundamentals allowed him to thrive on the basketball court while also dominating on the defensive end as he has made numerous All-NBA first and second defensive teams. The list goes on and on about Duncan and his dominance on the court, yet the thing that everyone loved the most about him was his personality on and off the court. Greg Popovich, who has been Duncan’s only coach in his NBA career, adored Duncan due to all the sacrifices he’s made on and off the court while also being one of the most genuine people Popovich has ever stumbled upon. Their relationship is bigger than basketball, as it almost feels like these two legends were family. Another aspect of Duncan that catches people’s eye is how Duncan never started any fights, drama, or anything else on and off the court. Even though at times other players wanted to get inside Duncan’s head throughout his career, everyone failed due to the simple fact that Duncan had one job he needed to fulfil, which was, to win championships and be an all-time great. I think its safe to say that he accomplished that and has easily become the greatest power forward to ever play in the NBA. When it comes to Kevin Garnett, however, it almost feels like Duncan and Garnett are polar opposites in how they approached the game of basketball. 

Unlike Duncan, Garnett wanted to not only win the game but also to destroy and conquer his opponent. Garnett was tough and refused to receive any form of disrespect from anyone as he never backed out of a fight. From being drafted straight out of high school, Garnett had to work his way up and needed to prove that he was more than just an 18-year-old who got a chance to play in the NBA. From the beginning of his career to even his analytical career on television, Garnett was a killer and continues to always have a killer mentality in whatever he does. However, the thing that I feel a lot of people fail to recognize is why Garnett chose this path and stuck with it. Garnett, similarily to Duncan, wanted to win. Even though he had a reputation for being a trash talker while also being very tough on both ends of the floor, Garnett’s true focus was winning a championship and building his legacy. Unfortunately for Garnett, he spent most of his prime in Minnesota, where he failed to win a championship with the team that drafted him but, no one ever blamed him due to the Timberwolves failing to build a championship team around him. Even though they were close to winning one in 2004, the Timberwolves failed not only the fans but also Kevin Garnett as they still have not announced his jersey retirement, which to me, is the definition of disrespect. Garnett deserves to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer as he has managed to win an NBA championship with Boston, an MVP with the Timberwolves, an All-Star MVP, a Defensive Player of the Year award, and has been a 15-time all-star. Garnett is all-time great and never backed down from any challenge hence why he is so beloved by most NBA fans (unless you’re a Laker fan). However, off the court since retiring from basketball, Garnett has become more relaxed and humorous, especially when Charles Barkley jokes around with him. If someone even joked with Kevin Garnett on the basketball court, chances are that they would have most likely made a big mistake. Yet, Kobe Bryant was very similar to Garnett in a lot of ways on the court; however, Kobe’s presence was on a whole other tier. 

Similar to Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant also came out of high school, where he was immediately traded away to his childhood favourite team, the Los Angeles Lakers. With the Charlotte Hornets having a scar full of regret, Kobe Bryant managed to craft one of the greatest careers in sports history. Kobe managed to win 5 NBA championships, 2 Finals MVPs, an MVP, and an 18-time all-star, just to name a few of his many many accomplishments. Kobe’s toughness and commitment to winning basketball games was something unlike no other as he would do anything to win a basketball game. A prime example of this was when he got fouled and tore his Achilles against a young Golden State Warriors, where instead of going to the locker room right away, he limped to the free-throw line and hit both shots. Not a lot of players can do what Kobe has done on the court and even off the court. Kobe was an intellectual who had such a prominent voice that everyone would listen to. Whether it was Kobe talking about women’s rights or how he continuously advocates for all athletes, Kobe was a great player on the court and an even better human being off the court. The reason why the world stopped when Kobe Bryant passed away was because he was just about to start his second life with his family while also inspiring the next generation with his Mamba camps. Kobe was a competitor and a genuine human being as he carved himself a legacy, unlike no other. Even though some people might say Jordan is the GOAT on the court, Kobe Bryant was the GOAT off the court. I love Kobe Bryant not for what he did during his stint with the Lakers, but for his personality and how he carried himself as a respectful, intellectual, loving person. Kobe was someone who will be continuously remembered in this world as one of the greatest athletes and hard workers the world has ever seen. If you ever want to know what true hard work is and what you can attain from it, look at Kobe Bryant and what he has done for the game of basketball and more. 

In the end, this year’s Hall of Fame class is unlike no other considering the amount of talent this class has. Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett some might say we’re the best players in the 2000s alongside Shaquille O’Neal, Allen Iverson, Tracy Mcgrady, Dirk Nowitzki and so on. Even though this year’s Hall of Fame speeches will be quite emotional, the world will get to mourn and celebrate the greatness of Kobe Bryant while also appreciating the basketball legends that are still alive. Let Kobe Bryant’s tragic death teach you not to hate and instead love and appreciate the talent that the NBA has brought up. Let this year show you how precious life truly is as your life can be taken away with a snap of a finger (no pun intended). Despite not seeing what Kobe Bryant would have said in his Hall of Fame speech, I know for a certainty that Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett, who both competed against Kobe for countless seasons, will have nothing but love and respect for the fallen mamba. May your soul rest in peace, Kobe and let the world rejoice and become stronger from all the heartbreaks and struggles we have had this past year.