Tim Duncan #(L) of the San Antonio Spurs, Kobe Bryant (C) of the Los Angeles Lakers and Kevin Garnett of the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame has announced the list of eligible candidates for the Class of 2020. Eight former stars were nominated for the first time: Chris Bosh, Shawn Marion, Michael Finley, Tamika Catchings, Swin Cash and three for whom fans have been waiting long enough – Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett.
There is no doubt that Bryant, Duncan and Garnett will be inducted into the Class of 2020 next year, but let's take a look what honors the three have achieved to book their spots in the Hall of Fame:
Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers celebrates after winning the NBA Championship at the Staples Center, June 17, 2010.
Kobe Bryant: Five-time NBA champion, two-time NBA Finals MVP, 2008 NBA MVP, 18-time NBA All-Star, 11-time All-NBA First Team, two-time All-NBA Second Team, two-time All-NBA Third Team, nine-time NBA All-Defensive First Team, three-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team, two-time NBA scoring champion, the second-best shooting guard in NBA history, holder of the second-highest single game score (81 points) and the highest farewell game score (60 points).
Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs celebrates after winning the NBA Championship at the AT&T Center, June 15, 2014.
Tim Duncan: Five-time NBA champion, three-time NBA Finals MVP, two-time NBA MVP, 15-time NBA All-Star, 10-time All-NBA First Team, three-time All-NBA Second Team, two-time All-NBA Third Team, eight-time NBA All-Defensive First Team, seven-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team, the greatest power forward in NBA history, the second player to score 26,000+ points, 15,000+ rebounds, and the greatest player in franchise history for the San Antonio Spurs.
Kevin Garnett (C) of the Boston Celtics holds the trophy to celebrate after winning the NBA Championship at the TD Garden, June 17, 2008.
Kevin Garnett: 2008 NBA champion, 2004 NBA MVP, 2008 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, 15-time NBA All-Star, four-time All-NBA First Team, three-time All-NBA Second Team, two-time All-NBA Third Team, nine-time NBA All-Defensive First Team, three-time NBA All-Defensive Second Team, four-time NBA rebounding champion, the third player to score 25,000+ points, 10,000+ rebounds, 5,000+ assists and the greatest player in franchise history for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The three together led the whole league in points (Bryant No. 1), rebounds (Duncan No. 1, Garnett No. 2), blocks (Duncan No. 1, Garnett No. 2) and minutes played (Garnett No. 1, Bryant No. 2) from 1996 to 2016.
Other familiar names on the multi-time nominee list included Chauncey Billups, Marc Jackson, Tim Hardaway, Richard Hamilton, Chris Webber, Ben Wallace, Marcus Camby, Toni Kukoc etc.
The finalist candidates will be announced during the All-Star Weekend in February before the final inductees are confirmed during the NCAA Final Four in April.