The Basketball Hall of Fame received the class of 2021, in a version in which 6 players from NBA Honorees: Chris Bosh, Tony Kocock, Paul Pierce, Ben Wallace, Chris Webber and Bon Dandridge. The WNBA was also represented with legends Lauren Jackson and Yolanda Griffith.
The ceremony included several words that affected basketball fans and other players in the league.
“I wasn’t welcome, I was too young, and couldn’t play as they expected. Sounds like an unfair thing, right? Put me on the same level and you’ll see what I can do,” was what I said from the tip Ben Wallace, who became the first non-designated NBA player to receive this honor and took the opportunity to claim racial equality.
Tony Kucock appreciated the Chicago Bulls for the opportunity to play in the United States, and joked a bit about having Michael Jordan with him. “I want to thank this gentleman (Jordan) and Scottie Pippen for kicking my ass at the Barcelona Olympics,” Kocock commented with a laugh.
For his part, Chris Webber has shown all the love and admiration he has for another league legend, Isaiah Thomas. He said, “When I was a kid, he gave his support to me, telling me that if I needed something, anything, he would be there for me. He explained that we are more than basketball players. He was my guardian angel.”
Loyal to his character, Paul Pierce thanked his critics, who led him to strive to become one of the best players in history, said: “Thank you to those who didn’t believe in me and saved the fuel to get here.”