On this week's special, Jim dives into the HOF news from this weekend and gives his thoughts on four inductees from each class. From the 2020 class, he covers the careers of Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, and Tamika Catchings. From the newly elected 2021 class, he covers the careers of Bob Dandridge, Rick Adelman, Lauren Jackson, and Paul Pierce.

We do have past episodes on several of the 2021 class members. Please go download and listen if you missed them!

Ben Wallace- Episode 1

Chris Webber- Episode 17 with James Ham

Toni Kukoc- Episode 33 with Sam Smith

Chris Bosh- Episode 41 with Dave Ramil

Jim and Wando participate in a snake draft to create Mount Rushmores consisting of their favorite NBA power forwards of the 1990s.

Jim is joined by friend of the pod and Shawn Kemp superfan, David "Wando" Wandolowski, to discuss the hall of fame candidacy of former Seattle Supersonic Shawn Kemp. Jim and Wando first discuss NBA Jam, the dope Supersonics jerseys from the 90s, and Game 4 of the 1992 playoffs against the Golden State Warriors (06:28). Then, they cover the 1996 NBA playoffs and who the best power forwards of the 90s were (45:20). Finally, Dave and Jim break down Kemp's shortcomings, including his weight and drug problems that ended his career prematurely (1:05:30), before making a call on whether or not they believe Kemp will ever make it into the Basketball Hall of Fame (1:18:31).

On today's special, Jim first gives opening remarks about the 2021 Draft and how this is the best he has ever felt walking away from a draft as a Chicago Bears fan. Then, Jim welcomes Friend of the Pod Dave Wandolowski to participate in the impossible task of picking 2021 draftees that have the best chance of one day ending up in the Hall of Fame (8:19). We cover Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Penei Sewell, Javonte Williams, Rashard Weaver, and more

Jim is joined by bestselling author Jeff Benedict to breakdown the hall of fame candidacy of former New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman. Jim and Jeff first discuss Jeff’s trip to Israel in 2019 with Edelman and Patriots owner Robert Kraft (7:12). Then, they cover Edelman's catch in Super Bowl LI, his similarities to Lynn Swann, and Edelman's ranking among the best postseason performers in NFL history (11:48). Finally, they compare Wes Welker to Edelman and build a 21st Century New England Patriots Mount Rushmore (32:00), before reaching a final verdict on whether or not Edelman belongs in the Football Hall of Fame (38:30).

Jim is joined by David Ramil, columnist at The Step Back and host of the Locked on Heat podcast, to discuss the hall of fame candidacy of former NBA big man Chris Bosh. Jim and David first discuss the evolution of Bosh's game from his rookie season in Toronto to his final season with the Miami Heat (4:10). Then, they cover "The Rebound" in the 2013 NBA Finals, Bosh's best seasons as the number one option in Toronto, and similarities to James Worthy (10:42). Finally, they discuss the unique discrepancy between the number of times Bosh made the all-star team and the times Bosh made the All-NBA team (30:57), before making a call on whether or not they believe Bosh deserves to enter the hall of fame (56:55).

Jim is joined by author Dave Jordan to break down the hall of fame candidacy of former MLB star Dave Parker. Jim and Dave first discuss Parker's memorable performance in the 1979 All-Star game (5:42). Then, Dave talks about Parker's holistic baseball resume, Pittsburgh's offensive philosophy in the 1970s, and how that contributes to Parker's low career WAR, and Parker's overlooked career on the Reds and Athletics (21:25). Finally, they discuss the abundance of MVP votes Parker collected over the course of his career (33:00), before revealing whether or not they believe Parker deserves a plaque in Cooperstown (38:37). After making a final verdict on Parker's candidacy, Dave briefly talks about his new book, Cobra: A life of Baseball and Brotherhood, which just came out on 4/1 (42:12).

Jim is joined by journalist and author of several books on baseball in the 1970s Dan Epstein, to breakdown the hall of fame candidacy of former New York Yankees catcher Thurman Munson. Jim and Dan first discuss Munson's grit and other intangibles (10:04). Then, they cover Munson's superior postseason performances, Ted Simmons, and somehow find a way to bring Football HOFer Roger Staubach into the conversation (16:26). Finally, they discuss how the 1970s was the golden age for catchers and how Munson ranks among the greats of the era (43:04), before revealing whether or not they believe Munson deserves a plaque in Cooperstown (60:34). After making a final verdict on Munson's candidacy, Dan briefly talks about his upcoming book, The Captain and Me: On and Off the Field with Thurman Munson, which launches on 4/20 (62:25).

Jim is joined by Roland Lazenby, the author of dozens of nonfiction sports books, to breakdown the hall of fame candidacy of former NBA guard Michael Cooper. Jim and Roland first discuss Cooper's ability to guard Larry Bird (6:08). Then, they cover Cooper's 1987 season, similarities to K.C. Jones, and Cooper's role on Laker teams of the 1980s (8:20). Finally, they discuss whether Magic Johnson would have won five NBA Championships without Coop (32:20), before reaching a final verdict on whether or not Cooper belongs in the Basketball Hall of Fame (36:48). Jim and Roland then briefly discuss the recent passing of HOFer Elgin Baylor (39:26).

On our special tribute podcast today, Jim breaks down the career of Basketball Hall of Famer Elgin Baylor, who passed away Monday, March 22, 2021, at the age of 86. Acclaimed sportswriter Roland Lazenby also jumps on the podcast to share a few brief thoughts on Baylor.