Tom Chambers fails to make Naismith Hall of Fame 2022 finalists list as a first-time nominee

Arizona Republic

Tom Chambers, three-time All-Star in five seasons with the Phoenix Suns, speaks with reporters at the 2019 induction ceremony into the Arizona Sports Hall of Fame Friday, November 1, 2019 at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort.

CLEVELAND — Apparently Kenny Smith and Tom Chambers have the same tastes in food.

"For some reason, we used to like the same restaurants," said Smith in recalling his playing days that consisted of him facing Chambers in the Western Conference.

"So I used to run into him after every game and got a chance to talk to him."

In today's era, Smith believes Chambers would be the flavor of choice for his ability to play above the rim and knock down 3s.

"A stretch four, would shoot from deep and the could dunk," Smith said during a TNT media zoom call Tuesday evening. "Threes and dunks. Run the lane, dunk. Shoot 3s. I think in this era, he would be a max (contract) kind of guy."

Chambers didn't make the 2022 finalist list for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in his first try as a nominee, but the former Suns All-Star left a lasting impression on Smith, a two-time NBA champion with the Rockets and current TNT NBA analyst.

Tom Chambers averaged 27.2 points in leading the 1989-90 Suns to the 1990 Western Conference finals

"He created an unbelievable atmosphere (in Seattle) and actually was a four who played five at times," Smith continued. "So I always thought he was an underrated position player who you always had to think about."

The 11 finalists named Friday were Manu Ginobili, Lindsay Whalen, Michael Cooper, Tim Hardaway, Marques Johnson, Bob Huggins, George Karl, Leta Andrews, Swin Cash, Marianne Stanley and longtime NBA referee Hugh Evans,

Chambers scored 20,049 points in his 16 NBA seasons. The 6-10 big was a four-time All-Star selection with three of those coming with the Suns (1989, 1990, 1991). He averaged a career-high 20.6 points in his five seasons with Phoenix.

Hall of Famer Charles Barkley played one season with Chambers when the Suns reached the 1993 finals. When asked about Chambers' chances Tuesday, Barkley said he never makes comments on a player when it comes to the Hall of Fame.

"I don't want to be who said he should make it or he shouldn't make it cause I think that's disrespectful to players," Barkley said during the TNT zoom call. "Tom was a terrific player. I enjoyed playing with him and I wish him luck."

Suns players Charles Barkley (left), Kevin Johnson, and Danny Ainge are all smiles as they confer late in the triple-overtime period of their 129-121 win over the Chicago Bulls on June 13, 1993, in Chicago. Also in on the celebration are Tom Chambers, rear left, and Dan Majerle.

Have opinion about current state of the Suns? Reach Suns Insider Duane Rankin at dmrankin@gannett.com or contact him at 480-787-1240. Follow him on Twitter at @DuaneRankin.

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