I’m sitting there saying to myself, ‘Man, that’s Mike!’ I can’t stop looking at him. 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”.
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The crossovers and the do-rags, the baggy shorts and the FU attitude, and the ability to dominate in a game catered towards giants; Iverson held the spotlight (for good and bad reasons) as one of the more authentic athletes to ever play the game.
Fighting tears throughout his extended speech, Iverson thanked former Georgetown coach John Thompson “for saving my life”.
As he was introduced to the crowd before his speech, NBATV host Ahmad Rashad said – with the crowd interrupting him with cheers – “Consider the willingness, the tenacity, the toughness to compete at the highest level, the mesmerizing handle, the breathtaking speed…and you will find The Answer”. “Thank you for being such a big part of the league”. I got to Philadelphia and, man, those were some big shoes to fill with a size 10 foot.
Iverson thanks many people throughout his career, but came back to Georgetown again.
As expected, Iverson became emotional talking about his gratitude and love for his family. Looking forward to spending two more decades with you. And I appreciate ya’ll for that. You want to know why? And O’Neal made sure to give credit to Bryant, seriously noting how the recently-retired guard helped him bring three titles to the Lakers, but jokingly thanking him for “getting me pushed off the team” and sent to the Miami Heat.
During NBATV’s Red Carpet Show leading up to the Hall of Fame Ceremonies, former Georgetown All-American Alonzo Mourning (C’91), himself a member of the Hall of Fame, said “I can put it in its simplest terms – pound for pound, the best player to ever play the game”.
He thanked his wife and children for comforting him during those times when he feuded with the media and, occasionally, his coach in Philadelphia. No other teams, no other schools were recruiting me.
“He said. ‘Thanks, my brother.’ Three years I never spoke to Yao because I thought there was a language barrier there”.
“The seven Final Fours and championship are just frosting on the cake”, Izzo said. “I’m just playing, Nick”. “I know it’s the fourth quarter, but I’m hoping for overtime”. It was a Hall of Fame speech for the ages, and we won’t soon forget it.
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Yao Ming won the opening tip and delivered a heartfelt speech that showcased his sense of humor. “Because I need practice more than him”.
