The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame arena was Allen Iverson’s court on Friday evening (Sept. 9), where the revered NBA player was inducted into the prestigious lineage of prominent athletes.
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Dressed in all-black, the retired National Basketball Association star paused repeatedly throughout his speech to collect himself.
It was the moment where he said he first met his idol, Michael Jordan, that started the waterworks for many, though.
“When walking in this Hall, for the first time, I feel I’m so small”, Yao said, via Chron.
“You stood with me in the good and bad times”.
“After [an arrest in a Virginia bowling alley brawl scared off college recruiters] my mother went to Coach Thompson’s office and begged him to give me a chance”. I can’t thank you enough for all you’ve done for me. Iverson likened it to the Chappelle Show episode where there was an aura around Rick James. I see my picture up there. It looked like he was glowing.
From making a handsome tribute to his family, to shouting out rappers, to honoring Michael Jordan, to mentioning Rick James and to – of course – saluting Philly, A.I.’s speech was gold. I’m looking at the shoes. And he was always supportive of me … always gave me words of wisdom, just a great man. It was my Mike. He thanked former Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant for helping him win three National Basketball Association titles, “but also for getting me pushed off the team and traded to Miami”.
Added Iverson: “My relationship with the fans in Philadelphia is like no other”.
Iverson closed his speech with a nod to the “guys who are not my friends any more”.
I want to thank Coach Thompson … Alongside Shaquille O’Neal, Yao Ming and Sheryl Swoopes, Iverson’s HOF speech probably made everyone in attendance locate their nearest Kleenex. “He would also help me get pushed off the team and traded to Miami”.
“He said. ‘Thanks, my brother.’ Three years I never spoke to Yao because I thought there was a language barrier there”.
The 10-person Class of 2016’s other star honoree was Shaquille O’Neal, the man-child center who won four National Basketball Association titles. “I’m just playing, Nick”. It’d be pretty amusing if a awful free throw shooter criticized a bad one.’ Then I said to myself, ‘Damn, I should have listened to [underhanded free throw shooter] Rick Barry.’ Then I also said to myself, ‘You know what?
Shaq brought all his jokes to the Hall of Fame.
Yao Ming won the opening tip and delivered a heartfelt speech that showcased his sense of humor. “I learned how much of a great coach he is”. You want to know why?
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But Iverson wasn’t flawless, either, and the most lovely part about him was that he never pretended to be.
