PGs Kidd, Nash are finalists for HOF

Associated Press

LOS ANGELES

Point guards could run the show in the next Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame class, with Jason Kidd and two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash among the 13 finalists announced Saturday morning.

Ray Allen, Grant Hill, Maurice Cheeks and Chris Webber also made the cut.

Kidd ranks second in NBA history with 12,091 assists, and Nash is third with 10,335 assists.

Nash won back-to-back MVP awards in 2005 and 2006 with the Phoenix Suns. He made the All-NBA first team three times during his 18-year career with the Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Lakers and helped kickstart the development of the sport in Canada with his freewheeling style.

Kidd was the 1994-95 NBA rookie of the year, setting the stage for a 19-year career in which he made the All-NBA first team five times and All-Defensive first team four times.

Finalists must receive 18 votes from the 24-member honors committee to be enshrined.

The entire class will be unveiled during the NCAA Final Four in San Antonio.