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Iverson, Shaq headline emotional Hall of Fame ceremony

Looking for a way to view Friday night’s Basketball Hall of Fame 2016 enshrinement ceremony and festivities before and after? In the aftermath of being an National Basketball Association player, I’m still learning. And if it weren’t for a slew of injuries that forced him to be sidelined for all but five games over the course of his final two seasons, there’s no telling what his National Basketball Association career could have been.

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Before O’Neal’s NBA stardom, it was Dale Brown who coached him during his three seasons at LSU before he became the No. 1 overall pick in the 1992 NBA Draft with the Orlando Magic.

O’Neal said Iverson’s crossover of Michael Jordan during his rookie season in 1997 was the definition of the kind of player Iverson was. He became an worldwide basketball icon.

Yao Ming, the first Asian player that is ever been elected into the Hall of Fame, was the first to give his words. However, his global impact and helping the growth of the game in China can not be underestimated.

The league has expanded preseason games to China.

Swoopes, one the most successful women’s basketball players in USA history, became the Hall of Famer one year after her long-time national teammate Lisa Leslie was introduced on the same stage in 2015.

Izzo is the type of coach he’d like to see his son play for. And while Yao never was the most outspoken National Basketball Association player, he certainly brought the heat during his induction speech. Everybody that was with me throughout the ride, I want them to be proud of themselves for helping me get to such a high level. “When you say you’re from the birthplace of basketball and Springfield, Massachusetts, it makes it special”.

Despite his career being limited to just nine years, Yao Ming successfully etched his name in history with his work on and off the court. Not one time did I end up leaving where just about every kid on the team [didn’t] want to ask me about Allen.

Yao won the opening tip and delivered a heartfelt speech that showcased his own sense of humor.

This year’s inductees include a trio of National Basketball Association heavyweights: Shaquille O’Neal, Allen Iverson, and Yao Ming.

For another, from the moment he appeared to great cheers from the fans lining the downtown concert hall’s steep steps until his halting but heartfelt acceptance speech concluded to thunderous applause, he seemed on the verge of tears.

“I’ve been fortunate and I’ve done this in the past”.

Then, when he was seated on the dais, O’Neal sprung to his feet and relieved Doleva, who was struggling to reach the massive shoulders of the 7-foot-6 (2.29-meter) Yao. “I looked at my phone, and saw Springfield, MA”, Iverson told 22News.

Yao’s was the first inductee of the ceremony, which gave the Chinese star an opportunity to take a friendly dig at Iverson, who he said should have been given the honour.

“I chose to come to LSU because Coach Brown knew me when I was a nobody and he was always consistent”, O’Neal said.

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Yao also thanked his early mentors in China, former National Basketball Association cCommissioner David Stern for his vision in wanting Yao to play in the league, as well his first teammates on the Houston Rockets.

Shaquille O’ Neal and Yao Ming during their NBA days