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Golden State helped make David West a potential Hall of Famer

By Nathan Beighle

OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 28: David West #3 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - APRIL 28: David West #3 of the Golden State Warriors handles the ball against the New Orleans Pelicans during Game One of the Western Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs on April 28, 2018 at ORACLE Arena in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Garrett Ellwood/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Golden State Warriors repeated as NBA Champions in 2018, and with David West’s recent retirement upon his second ring, is he a surefire Hall of Famer?

Following a one-year stint with the San Antonio Spurs, it was clear that David West joined the Golden State Warriors to finally succeed at the highest level. He did that, winning two back-to-back rings with Golden State.

Did those two rings make him a potential Hall of Famer?

Obviously, this question wouldn’t even be considered if West hadn’t had such a phenomenal NBA career. At the same time, without rings, it’s hard to always justify players that weren’t at the pinnacle of their generation.

West, who did have two consecutive seasons which he averaged over 20 points per game, was not an iconic, team-leading forward. Actually, every season of relevance for West was also tagged to a memorable superstar also on his team.

In New Orleans, he never truly got his feet under him till Chris Paul arrived. He had Paul George at Indiana, Kawhi Leonard at San Antonio and most recently Steph Curry and Kevin Durant at Golden state.

Sitting at a 1.4% chance at the Hall of Fame according to Basketball-Reference, West definitely increased the likelihood that he’ll be a Hall of Famer, albeit most likely not on the first ballet. Those rings, while he might not have been a huge contributor, will be forever noted on his legacy.

If Bill Bradley can be inducted into the Hall of Fame, then so can David West.

Adding onto West’s already impressive resume is a stellar collegiate career. Many great collegiate players get little boosts in Hall of Fame consideration following a wildly successful professional career. West should be one of those.

The AP Player of the Year, West averaged double figures all four years at Xavier and even notched over 20 points per game his senior year. Tag on averaging a double-double in two of his four seasons, and it seems clear that West had both a phenmoneal collegiate and professional career.

In the NBA, West managed to become a reliable force with his silky mid-range jumper. His defensive awareness and overall contributions make him a solid HoF candidate.

However, while average double figures for a decade might be impressive, when it’s all said and done, it’ll be the rings, the collegiate career, and the few years of dominance that create the case for West in the Hall of Fame.

Without the rings, he might not have even seen a bit of the Hall of Fame light.

Next. 3 reasons why Klay Thompson will stay in the Bay in 2019. dark

Well, it’s possible, and that should be good enough for West.

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