NBA: 50 greatest players who aren’t in the Basketball Hall of Fame

50 greatest players who aren’t in the Basketball Hall of Fame: 34. Gilbert Arenas

Between his time with the Golden State Warriors and Washington Wizards, Gilbert Arenas was something of a precursor to James Harden. Arenas, like Harden, was a magician with the ball in his hands, able to create offense from seemingly every angle of the court

Arenas’ career came to an abrupt end before he could build a Hall of Fame résumé, but his brief peak showed all of the signs of a player who belongs on this list.

Arenas certainly accumulated his fair share of accolades during his 11-year NBA career. He was named All-NBA in three separate seasons and was an All-Star during each of those unforgettable campaigns.

He was also named NBA Most Improved Player during the 2002-03 season. which was his first year as a full-time starter.

The true mark of what made Arenas a deserving inclusion on this list is the fact that he’s one of the greatest scoring point guards in the history of the game. He amassed a ridiculous 29 career games with at least 40 points and had 128 over 30 in just 11 seasons.

He’s also one of just 30 players to record a 60-point game. He’s one of just 39 players to record at least three 50-point games. He ranks 37th in NBA history in 40-point games, ahead of the likes of Charles Barkley, Moses Malone, George Mikan, and David Robinson.

Signature moments also help, even if we want to pretend they shouldn’t. For Arenas, his career-defining performance was a legendary duel between he and the incomparable Kobe Bryant.

The Black Mamba put up 45 points, 10 assists, and eight rebounds. Arenas responded by pouring in 60 points, eight assists, and eight boards of his own.

Talent in absolute spades.