Because I feel he’s a first ballot without a doubt, but I don’t think he’s more deserving than Stockton or Robinson. Or from a sheer credential standpoint, even as deserving as either.

Robinson aside, who is probably overqualified for the Hall of Fame with championships, MVPs, general dominance and greatness, you look at Stockton vs. Miller, and Stockton accomplished a LOT more than Reggie did:

10 All-Star games, 2-time first All NBA, 6-time second team, one of the great defensive PGs, assists leader, steals leader, All-Star MVP, 2 Western Conference Championships, would’ve been a league MVP if he were a part of today’s “Point Guard NBA”, wasn’t up against Jordan most of his career, and didn’t have Karl Malone overshadowing him as well. Dude had a season where he had 17.2 PPG and 14.5 AST. And we think Steve Nash is amazing because he does 19 and 12?!

I don’t think of it even close as “If they got in first ballot, Reggie should,” because Reggie doesn’t stack up to that at all. 5-time All-Star, 3-time third team All NBA, leader in three point shots (which will be broken by Ray Allen before too much longer). In fact, basketball-reference.com’s HOF probability has Jermaine O’Neal and Richard Hamilton more likely to get in than Reggie.

But I’m getting to my point…and that is that Reggie is a logical exception. Where Reggie lacked in numbers, achievements, and general “look at those credentials!”, he made up for on the biggest stage. That’s what gets Reggie in on the first ballot. You can look at the greatest players in the NBA, most of them fall back in the playoffs. Reggie Miller improved his game in the playoffs. Most NBA fans that aren’t on a certain player’s agenda will tell you that in terms of coming through on the biggest stage, Reggie Miller was one of the all-time greats.

He also dropped, what, 57 on the Hornets? That’s no joking matter. If people are ready to crown Kobe Bryant king of the Hall of Fame after dropping 61 earlier this year while dropping goose eggs in every other column, you have to realize Reggie’s 57 points in addition to 8 assists and 5 boards just because he was in the mood may just be worth something.