The Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame has announced their selections for the Class of 2018. Three first-timers on the ballot are being enshrined this year; Jason Kidd, Grant Hill and Steve Nash. They will join Maurice Cheeks who was a repeated finalist up until this year. Each of the players were transcendent talents during their time in the league. Defense is the name of the game this year as Kidd, Nash and Cheeks are among some of the best defending guards in NBA league history.
Here's a look at the careers of each of the newest members of the Hall of Fame.
Maurice Cheeks
The oldest of the group, Maurice Cheeks was know as a lock-down defender for the Philadelphia 76ers during the early 1980's. Cheeks was a pivotal member of the 1983 championship team. Making the All-Star team four times, along with being selected four times as a first-team All-NBA defensive player cemented Cheeks' reputation on the defensive side of the ball. When Cheeks retired in 1993, he was the all-time leader in steals.
Jason Kidd
Most recently the head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, Jason Kidd's resume is seldom matched in league history. Kidd was a ten-time NBA All-Star, a five-time All-NBA First Team member, and a nine-time NBA All-Defensive player. He even won two gold medals with Team USA in the 2000 and 2008 Olympics.
His 107 triple-doubles has him ranked 3rd all-time and was a testament to how much he affected every game he played in. He did finally win an NBA title with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011.
Grant Hill
Arguably one of the best players ever to attend Duke University, Grant Hill was known for the way he dominated games. Often leading his team in points, rebounds and assists, Hill was a dominant force that few could defend.
Injuries hampered the second half of his professional career, but that wasn't before he was able to really leave his mark on the NBA. Rookie of the Year, seven-time All-Star and five time All-NBA were the result of Hill's prime before injuries struck.
He was nearly impossible to guard and from the eye test alone, you knew early on in his career that he was destined to be a future Hall of Famer.
Hill is now a current part owner of the Atlanta Hawks after joining the buying group that purchased the team in 2015.
Steve Nash
A two-time MVP, eight-time NBA All-Star and a seven-time All-NBA player, Steve Nash was everything that a point guard should be. He elevated the play of those around him, while also dominating himself whenever he needed to put the team on his back. Leading the Phoenix Suns to back-to-back conference finals appearances was no small feat, given the talent that surrounded him at the time. Injuries caught up with him in the end, keeping him from winning a title. Nash might go down as one of the best players of all-time to never win a title.