Anthony Davis has done nearly everything there is to do over the course of his 13-year NBA career. But surprisingly, Pardon the Interruption host Tony Kornheiser isn’t so sure that Davis is a lock Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame when his NBA career is said and done.
With three potential future Hall of Famers, Kyrie Irving, Anthony Davis, and Klay Thompson, on their roster, along with the addition of No. 1 overall pick Cooper Flagg, the Dallas Mavericks are expected to be one of the top threats to the Oklahoma City Thunder’s chances of repeating as NBA champions next season.
The Mavericks’ prospects for the 2025-26 NBA season were a topic of discussion for both Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon on Friday’s edition of Pardon the Interruption. Wilbon, in particular, spoke highly of the Mavericks’ chances to compete with the Thunder and the Houston Rockets at the top of the Western Conference.
“You got Kyrie Irving, who we have seen (when) healthy, can lead a team to the NBA Finals,” said Wilbon. “You got Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson, guys who are going to the Hall of Fame. You’ve got Lively and Gafford, who give you defensive front-line play like few other teams in the league. (Cooper) Flagg would be joining that in the frontcourt, though he can do a lot of everything.
“You’ve got P.J. Washington, who gives you versatility. And you’ve got Max Christie, who gives you depth. To me, you can look at what will be Houston and Oklahoma City. I’m not saying you beat them. But you can say, ‘Let’s drop the gloves and go.’ That Dallas roster, led by Jason Kidd and Kyrie Irving, they contend.”
Kornheiser then questioned whether Davis was a no-doubt Hall of Famer. But Wilbon continued to reaffirm his stance that Davis will absolutely have a spot in the Hall of Fame once his career is done.
“Did you just say that Anthony Davis is going to the Hall of Fame?” Kornheiser asked Wilbon. “Are you certain of that?”
“Yes,” responded Wilbon.
“Klay Thompson, yeah,” added Kornheiser. “You have Anthony Davis in the Hall of Fame? Without a doubt? That is interesting.”
Michael Wilbon: “[The Mavericks have] Anthony Davis, Klay Thompson- guys going to the Hall of Fame.”
Tony Kornheiser: “Did you just say that Anthony Davis is going to the Hall of Fame? Are you certain of that… You have Anthony Davis in the Hall of Fame without a doubt?” #NBA pic.twitter.com/Otqp9gC5sI
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) June 26, 2025
Most would consider the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame to be the easiest of the four Hall of Fames across the four major professional sports in the United States to get into. And when you stack up Davis’ resume against others who are in the Basketball Hall of Fame already, Davis undoubtedly stacks up quite favorably.
To put it simply, very few players, if any at all, who have made ten All-Star Game appearances, five All-NBA teams, five All-Defensive teams, and have been one of the key forces in an NBA championship-winning team, have missed out on the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Those stats don’t even take into account Davis’s dominance at the collegiate level or his continued presence as a member of the Team USA Olympic team, which is taken into account for the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
Kornheiser didn’t share any particular reasoning as to why he was unsure that Davis was a surefire Hall of Famer. But understandably, many NBA fans were incredibly confused by his skepticism.
Tony Kornheiser is questioning whether an active NBA 75 selection is a Hall of Famer. That’s how I know sports debate TV is centered around baiting for views. 😂
— GOWIE (@DaKidGowie) June 27, 2025
Are we serious rn? pic.twitter.com/UNMcP5vxJn
— Robert (@JRAMNOTTHAGOAT) June 27, 2025
It’s about time to retire this show. https://t.co/u0XIFrOz8e pic.twitter.com/UvYhtuJSpS
— Diamond Dugg Is Paid (@duggz_money) June 27, 2025
Anthony Davis was a Hall of Fame lock in 2018 lol https://t.co/S8g669MQbm
— Danny Small (@dwsmall8) June 27, 2025