Monday, 14 October 2024
TOP MOMENTS FROM THE 2024 BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME CEREMONY
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| Class of 2024 inductee Chauncey Billups speaks alongside presenters Tina Thompson (‘18) and Ben Wallace (‘21) during the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement. Reuters |
The latest inductees into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame were officially enshrined Sunday, highlighted by a handful of notable moments.
The 2024 class included Vince Carter, Chauncey Billups, Michael Cooper, Seimone Augustus and Doug Collins. Jerry West was inducted for his work as a contributor, largely focused on his work with the Los Angeles Lakers as an executive. West became the first three-time inductee into the hall.
This year's class also included the induction of four superfans into the James F. Goldstein SuperFan Gallery -- Billy Crystal, Alan Horwitz, Spike Lee and Jack Nicholson.
There was no shortage of memorable sound bites and moments during the ceremony in Springfield, Massachusetts. Here's a look at some of the highlights from the 2024 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame ceremony.
Family love between Carter and Tracy McGrady
Vince Carter speaks on the love and support he's received from his cousin, Tracy McGrady 🤞
📺 #24HoopClass Enshrinement Ceremony on NBA TV pic.twitter.com/3jf2UgtkEj
— NBA (@NBA) October 14, 2024
Cooper shows appreciation for West
"The logo. The icon of our game. He was a friend and a mentor. And I owe him more than he can ever understand."@ShowtimeCooper expressing his gratitude for the great Jerry West 💜 pic.twitter.com/188jF58cDI
— Los Angeles Lakers (@Lakers) October 14, 2024
Billups gives a Detroit welcome, thanks Grandma
Chauncey giving a proper Detroit welcome in his Hall of Fame induction speech❤️ pic.twitter.com/BVHvGDmoIw
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) October 13, 2024
"We did it grandma, we did it."
Chauncey Billups with a very important thank you to his late Grandma ❤️ pic.twitter.com/jitOZ7oP5e
— NBA (@NBA) October 13, 2024
Wise words from Collins
"In my life if you look at my career, I've never been afraid to fail."
Doug Collins with a message on growing from his failures 💯
📺 #24HoopClass Enshrinement Ceremony on NBA TV pic.twitter.com/tvftGGzzTl
— NBA (@NBA) October 13, 2024
FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME ❤️🔥#24HoopClass inductee, Doug Collins, gives a heartfelt message on what the game of basketball has meant to him. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/OTZ1RJ1Jfc
— NBA (@NBA) October 13, 2024
Laker greats show support for West
Laker greats in Springfield to enshrine the late Jerry West into the @Hoophall for an unprecedented 3rd time 💜💛 pic.twitter.com/RLeiKxFeHK
— NBA (@NBA) October 13, 2024
Augustus shows off her voice
Seimone Augustus started her Hall of Fame speech with a song dedicated to her home of Baton Rouge, LA 🎵 pic.twitter.com/t2ppHEGBNp
— espnW (@espnW) October 14, 2024
Carter offers a congratulations to the class
"From now on, they don't just say you're first and last name without saying... 'Hall of Famer.'"
Vince Carter closes his induction speech with a congratulations to the entire #24HoopClass 👏 pic.twitter.com/Kg2GonicYo
— NBA (@NBA) October 14, 2024
Saturday, 17 August 2024
Friday, 9 February 2024
LAKERS UNVEILS FIRST OF THREE KOBE BRYANT STATUES
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| USA TODAY Sports |
Kobe Bryant was known for exceeding expectations, so it should have come as no surprise that on the day the late star's statue was unveiled outside of the Los Angeles Lakers' home arena, it was revealed that three statues will ultimately don the downtown L.A. property.
In a private ceremony outside of Crypto.com Arena on Thursday, the biggest names in Lakers history were in attendance -- from Jerry West to Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and former head coach Phil Jackson. Pau Gasol was there, as was Norm Nixon, Michael Cooper and Robert Horry.
Abdul-Jabbar and Jackson spoke at the ceremony, along with Lakers controlling owner Jeanie Buss, former Laker Derek Fisher and Bryant's widow Vanessa.
"As I see today's current generation of star players follow in Kobe's footsteps with huge scoring games, I know he would take pride in knowing that he is still pouring inspiration into the game that was so special to him," Vanessa Bryant said.
It was Vanessa Bryant that revealed the plan to have three statues.
"I leave you with one of my husband's amazing quotes," Vanessa Bryant said. "‘Leave the game better than you found it and when it comes time for you to leave, leave a legend.' And that he did."