Lincoln’s Chris Bosh inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame as part of the largest class ever

Nine teams passed Paul Pierce down in the 1998 NBA draft, and if you think he doesn’t remember every single one of them, then you don’t know Paul Pierce.

The newly inducted Basketball Hall of Famer called the teams with the first nine picks this year by name and thanked them for letting them slip to the Boston Celtics.

“I appreciate that. Thank you for passing me on. It fueled my fire,” said Pierce, who was expected to climb to number two overall, in his acceptance speech in Springfield, Massachusetts on Saturday evening. “To this day I still don’t understand how I slipped to 10th place. But you know that everything happened for a reason. I am grateful that I am going to the Celtics.”

Four months after the 2020 class’s pandemic-delayed rollout, including Kobe Bryant, the Hall community gathered to welcome 16 more new members – their greatest class ever. Many in the crowd wore masks; Three-time WNBA MVP Lauren Jackson was unable to participate because she was banned from Australia again.

Bill Russell, who was inducted as a player in 1975, was honored for his coaching career; he is the fifth person to be inducted as both a player and a coach. But for former President Barack Obama, his greatest role was what he accomplished off-court during the civil rights movement of the 1960s.

“Bill Russell knows maybe more than anyone what it takes to win and lead,” Obama said in a video. “As great as Bill Russell is, his example and legacy rise far, far higher.”

Others who joined the hall included: Villanova trainer Jay Wright, Defensive Pistons star Ben Wallace, two-time NBA champion Chris Bosh, longtime Portland and Sacramento trainer Rick Adelman, Washington, and Sacramento All-Star Chris Webber and two-time Olympic champion Yolanda Griffith.

WNBA President Val Ackerman, longtime trainer Cotton Fitzsimmons, and Boy Scout pioneer Howard Garfinkel have all been included as contributors. Clarence “Fats” Jenkins was selected by the Early African American Pioneers Committee, Croatia and Chicago Bulls star Toni Kukoc by the International Committee, Bob Dandridge by the Veterans Committee and Pearl Moore by the Women’s Veterans Committee.

Russell, 87, was honored as the first black coach in NBA history. In 1966 Russell took over the Celtics from Red Auerbach and remained player-coach for two more years. He led Boston to NBA titles in 1968 and ’69.

Russell was present at the ceremony wearing a Celtics mask, but his speech was presented on taped video.

“Hey Chris Weber, we’re going to the Hall of Fame with Bill Russell brother,” said Chris Bosh, a Lincoln High School product. “That’s crazy.”

Bosh spoke of arriving in Miami when Heat manager Pat Riley offered one of his NBA championship rings, saying it could be returned if they win one together; They won two, and Bosh finally gave the ball back on Saturday night.

And he discussed his departure at the age of 31 when he had to retire because of blood clots.

“After I finally made it to the top of the mountain with so much more to do with, in my opinion, so much more to do, it all stopped,” he said. “At some point I realized that we are all in our power, despite everything that happens to make the best of every day, to turn setbacks into strengths.”

11 years ago Pat Riley gave Chris Bosh his 2006 championship ring before Bosh even signed with Heat.

Bosh finally gave this ring back today as the two shared a special moment during the HOF ceremony. pic.twitter.com/ubA1Fhsiuc

– SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 12, 2021

Ackerman was the inaugural president of the WNBA, the first female president of USA Basketball, and commissioner of the Big East since 2013. With a few female role models to look up to in the sports shop, she found one elsewhere.

“I am inspired to this day by the example of Billie Jean King,” said Ackerman, “and the many strong women and men who followed her for the chance to play sports on a big stage, a reality for girls and women in our country and our world. “

Kukoc chose Michael Jordan and Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf as his presenters and alluded to the tensions surrounding his arrival in Chicago, which were revealed in the documentary “The Last Dance”.

“I want to thank this gentleman here, Michael Jordan, and Scottie Pippen for kicking my butt during the Barcelona Olympics and motivating me to work even harder to become an important part of the Chicago Bulls” , he said.

Wallace was emotional and poetic in describing his upbringing as an undersized tall man who played a role in defense and won Defensive Player of the Year four times.

“Basketball wasn’t my life. Basketball was easy in my life. I took basketball and created a path for those who helped me, ”he said. “I took. I received. I gave back. I laid a path. I laid a trail. It should be easy to find, I was stuck in it for a while.”

He left the stage with a raised fist.

Wright’s speech touched upon Philadelphia basketball history; Webber called to Detroit. Dandridge said NBA opponents who went to major colleges looked down on him because he went to Norfolk State, a historically black school.

“My experience in HBCU schools wasn’t limited to basketball,” he said. “I’ve seen what it’s like to have lessons. I experienced dignity and a sense of belonging. “

Most of the newcomers thanked their families and teammates and the coaches who helped them along the way, but Ackerman also pronounced James Naismith, who invented basketball.

And Moore thanked the game itself.

“Basketball has allowed me to travel the country and overseas to get a college degree,” she said. “And from shooting a makeshift hoop in the South Carolina yard to playing in the world’s most famous arena, Madison Square Garden.

“And tonight it’s actually a fairy tale that my name is anchored with people like the ones sitting in the hall.”

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