“It was my idol, my hero”. The former LSU star will be presented at his Hall of Fame induction by four former National Basketball Association greats – Bill Russell, Julius Erving, Isiah Thomas and Alonzo Mourning.
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But after the Jordan story, Iverson seemed to settle in. In particular, former Rockets guards Steve Francis and Cuttino Mobley.
“I want to thank Biggie Smalls, Redman, Jadakiss, Tupac and Michael Jackson for being my theme music throughout my career”, Iverson said.
Asked about his late arrival, Iverson said simply, “Personal situation”.
“Shaq” also thanks National Basketball Association fans, saying, “You guys were a part of everyone. You never jumped off the bandwagon, continued to support me like true fans are supposed to”.
Iverson didn’t forget Philadelphia or its diehard Sixers fans, some of whom made the trip to Springfield for the induction ceremony. Looking forward to spending two more decades with you.
Iverson closed his speech with a nod to the “guys who are not my friends any more”.
“I’m not sure there’s a better ambassador”, Izzo said. “It means people were able to appreciate how I played”.
Even Shaq’s and AI’s speeches were filled with poignancy and hilarity. “Because I got to coach him, it’s made me a better person and showed me how to deal with kids in a different way”. “The naysayers, they helped me, too”.
It’s been a long journey in this game and I can truly say that I’ve loved every part of it.
Then the announcer for the Hall of Fame said, “Next, we not only recognize him as a great basketball player but also as an outstanding prep football player – an uncommon ability to play but also a man who changed the cultural aspects of the game of basketball through the years”.
Meanwhile, Yao was the last inductee to receive a jacket and he was helped by fellow retired National Basketball Association cager O’Neal in wearing it. A guy that would push me to help me win three titles in a row.
I refused to let the alarm bells chiming in my head take me back to 15, 16 or 17 years ago. I just don’t think he would just blow this off. I got to Philadelphia and, man, those were some big shoes to fill with a size 10 foot. “Play basketball because of the joy, the fun”, said Yao. “Of course I speak English'”. “Finally, when I reached here, it’s (fulfilling)”, Yao added. Where am I exactly going with this? But when I was writing this speech, I was like, ‘You know what?
“I don’t know how you miss this”, O’Neal said, before altering his voice to spoof Iverson’s infamous “practice” rant. “But I would remiss if I didn’t name other key players: James Posey, Jason Williams, Antoine Walker, Hall of Famer Gary Payton, Udonis Haslem and Hall of Famer Alonzo Mourning”.
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We didn’t know Yao had all of these jokes in him, but we certainly don’t hate it.
