The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame made the announcement Friday from NBA All-Star Weekend in Houston.

Payton, a first-time finalist, played 13 of his 17 NBA seasons in Seattle, where he earned a reputation as one of the league's best defenders and most prolific trash talkers. He ranks fourth all-time in steals and eighth in assists. His career resume also includes nine All-Star selections and nine All-Defensive First Team selections as well as two Olympic gold medals. He retired in 2007 after winning a championship with the Miami Heat.

Haywood made four All-Star appearances during his five seasons with the Sonics (1970-1975). He won a championship with the Los Angeles Lakers in 1980.

The class of 2013 will be announced in April and enshrined in September.

Follow Brady Henderson, MyNorthwest.com Sports Editor

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  Fakename70 wrote...

  Sorry, Glove

  February 15, 2013 10:59 am

  One of the all-time best 'Supes for sure and worthy of his name and number being raised to the rafters...in Seattle. But, was he REALLY one of the G.O.A.T. to EVER play the game and deserving of enshrinement in Springfield? The objective answer is no. However IF he does make it, it's not like he'd be the only one who perhaps shouldn't be there. But, my point is that I'd rather not see the basketball HOF watered down the same way the baseball HOF is by inducting players who, were really really good during their time, but ultimately not deserving of being mentioned in the same breath as those who were without question the absolute best to EVER play the game. And, shouldn't THAT be the criteria for HOF induction in the first place?

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  *logos* wrote...

  I don't know which comment is more inane...

  February 17, 2013 4:41 pm

  The spam below, or the idiocy above.

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