The list was highlighted by National Basketball Association stars Shaquille O’Neal, Allen Iverson and Yao Ming, as well as WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes and longtime Chicago Bulls executive Jerry Reinsdorf.
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Everyone knew Allen Iverson’s Basketball Hall of Fame induction speech would be memorable and emotional, but somehow it still surpassed expectations.
As fellow 2016 inductee Shaquille O’Neal joked, “You’re talking about the Hall of Fame?” Alongside Shaquille O’Neal, Yao Ming and Sheryl Swoopes, Iverson’s HOF speech probably made everyone in attendance locate their nearest Kleenex.
For one thing, the former 76ers superstar, who during his sensational NBA career wore his hip-hop garb as proudly and consistently as he wore his heart on his sleeve, dressed formally, donning a black tie and tuxedo for his enshrinement into the Basketball Hall of Fame. One of the most star-packed classes in recent memory, it also featured worldwide star Yao Ming, WNBA great Sheryl Swoopes, coach Tom Izzo, and owner Jerry Reinsdorf, an architect in the Michael Jordan-led Chicago Bulls championship teams of the 1990s.
Friday night was a big night for Houston basketball fans.
The other 2016 inductees include Zelmo Beaty, Darell Garretson, John McLendon, Cumberland Posey and Jerry Reinsdorf. “I know greatness when it comes to basketball”. I see my picture up there.
“You stood with me in the good and bad times”.
“I don’t know how you miss this”, O’Neal said, before altering his voice to spoof Iverson’s infamous “practice” rant.
Shortly after taking the stage and thanking those in attendance, Yao said that Allen Iverson should have been the first one to speak, not him. “Then I got one, then two, three, then four”.
Iverson had a long list of people he thanked, from his coaches to his teammates, to his family and friends.
“When I walked into the hall, I felt so small”, Yao said. “But once I started to listen to Larry Brown and take constructive criticism, I learned how much of a great, great, great coach that he is”. He is a 15-time All-Star and 3-time All-Star MVP.
Unfortunately, persistent foot injuries forced an early end to Yao’s career. “Orange fits perfectly for basketball”, Colangelo said.
“When a father is quizzing his son on the great big men of the game”, O’Neal said.
“You’re just the best to me”, he said.
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”.
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“Kobe Bryant: a guy that would push me and help me win three titles in a row”, said O’Neal.
