“You know why? Because I need more practice than him”, Yao said to applause from the crowd and a laugh from Iverson.
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Iverson, who missed Thursday’s jacket presentation at the Hall, also failed to show up for a scheduled appearance at a Springfield high school Friday, causing some Hall officials to wonder if he’d make it in time for his speech, scheduled for between 8:30 and 9 p.m.
“I will always remember my times spent with the Houston Rockets as some of the best times of my life”, Yao said. “I am a Texan and Houston Rocket for life”, Ming said.
“The game of basketball has been so good to me, and while I have left the court, I will never leave the game”.
In the latest Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame induction, Shaquille O’Neal, Allen Iverson and Yao Ming headlined the event.
Iverson, a guard who sparked the Philadelphia 76ers into the NBA Finals in 2001 where they lost to O’Neal’s Lakers, called “Shaq” “one of the most dominant players ever”.
He said the first time he played against His Airness, it was like he was looking at an otherworldly being. I feel so small when I look to the rooftop (at) all the pictures around here. It looked like he was glowing. “And I’m looking at him. And I’m like, ‘Man, he got on the Jordans!'” I can’t stop looking at him.
Added Iverson: “My relationship with the fans in Philadelphia is like no other”.
Man, Dr. J. … those shoes, some big shoes – literally. “I want you to walk around and be proud of yourself that you are a Hall of Famer”. I nearly didn’t type all those names; it felt like a waste of time, but Iverson set the tone by listing seemingly everyone he ever knew.
“[Yao’s] career was cut short, and I think he didn’t achieve everything he wanted to on the floor”, National Basketball Association commissioner Adam Silver said at last year’s All-Star Weekend.
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”.
From making a attractive 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.
“One day when some father quizzes his sons on the greats of the game, I hope Shaquille O’Neal will be the answer”, he said. “I think this spot belongs to the great Allen Iverson”.
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O’Neal, a four-time National Basketball Association champion, looked around at the retired legends gathered to pay him tribute and said, “It’s a great honor to be part of this great fraternity”. It was a Hall of Fame speech for the ages, and we won’t soon forget it. I would have liked him to discuss more about what shaped his fearless, nearly reckless playing style.
