Joining them in the 10-member class will be Chinese star Yao Ming, WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes, longtime Michigan State coach Tom Izzo and National Basketball Association executive Jerry Reinsdorf, along with four posthumous inductees.
Advertisement
Iverson was a no-show at the 2 p.m. ceremony where inductees were presented with their Hall of Fame jackets.
Most of fans wore Iverson’s No. 3 jersey with the Philadelphia 76ers for the Enshrinement Ceremony at the Symphony Hall of Springfield, which also proves Iverson’s jersey is one of the best-selling jersey in NBA’s history.
There is no question, however, that this September weekend in Springfield is about three men: O’Neal, Iverson, and Yao Ming, who O’Neal said was the only player to ever block three of his shots in a row.
The former Houston Rockets great remembered his stay in Texas with great fondness during his induction to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday.
The other 2016 inductees include Zelmo Beaty, Darell Garretson, John McLendon, Cumberland Posey and Jerry Reinsdorf.
“I can’t leave without bringing up Shaq”, Iverson said in his speech.
“And then, also, you take A.I. You think of a guy that was as little, 5-11, 6 feet and pound for pound he was probably one of the best players if not the best player that played in the league”.
“I love y’all too”, Iverson said, the first four words of his life as an official member of the Basketball Hall of Fame. Also included was a great story about Tyronn Lue, who he memorably stepped over in Game 1 of the 2001 NBA Finals. From massive television audiences (an estimated 200 million people watched his regular season showdown with fellow Chinese player Yi Jianlian in 2007) to millions in merchandise revenue to a far-reaching interest among the youth – Yao emerged as much more than just a basketball player.
“I always looked at it and felt like, why isn’t it cool being you?” he said.
Brown continued, “He’s made me a better coach because of the relationship we had and the time we had together”.
“The game of basketball has been so good to me, and while I have left the court, I will never leave the game”.
“I thought LSU was going to win”, Izzo said. When the presenter said Iverson wouldn’t be able to attend the press conference, a short, awkward silence fell, but fans cheered his name when it was announced, even in his absence. He was also known for changing the culture of the National Basketball Association. I still dont know.
Advertisement
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”. Great opponents push us forward, a great opponent like Shaquille O’Neal.
