On the Brink: Predicting the fates of 16 borderline NBA Hall of Famers
By Cal Durrett
11) Amare Stoudemire
Some may scoff at the idea of former Phoenix Suns big man Amare Stoudemire making the Hall of Fame, though he was as good as many players on his list during his prime. From 2003-04 to 2010-11, Stoudemire averaged at least 20 points per game seven times in eight seasons.
Had it not been for microfracture surgery, he would have done so all eight years and made the all-star team more than six times and five all-NBA first and second teams during that span. That is strong production during his peak years, with 23.2 points on 54.3% shooting, 8.8 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks per game.
His advanced metrics were also top-tier, with a 23.5 PER and .186 win shares per 48 minutes, with the league average being 100. If other players such as Tracy McGrady and Chris Webber, who didn't have long careers, got inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame, Stoudemire is certainly deserving.
Even with only 846 career games played. Their primes were stellar and so was Stoudemire's. Therefore, he should make the Hall of Fame due to the existing precedent, at the very least with his peak numbers being more than worthy.