As every year, the Hall of Fame will reopen its doors this week to welcome new legends. 13 new names will join the Basketball Pantheon on Sunday night (ceremony from 11 pm) and there is something for everyone: from the legendary dunker, to the smooth shooter and above all the NBA and WNBA champions.
Jerry West: no two no three
Being inducted into the Hall of Fame is one thing, being there three times is another. After the first induction for his career as a Lakers player, a second for his participation in the 1960 Olympic Games, the Logo will make a third entry to salute his work done after his playing career, as a the legendary leader of the Lakers side, Grizzlies, Warriors or even the Clippers.
Vince Carter: Hall of Fame rings shake
So Vince Carter has achieved the feat of joining the Hall of Fame before seeing his jersey retired by the Raptors. We are stupid because Toronto will eventually withdraw from the jersey by Vinsanity. So the legend of the Dinos joined the court of the greats of the NBA. A more than fitting tribute for a player who put a city and a country on the Big League map.
Chauncey Billups: Celebrated by Mr Big Shot
After only three seasons as a coach, Chauncey Billups has been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Of course, this is a joke. Chauncey, before becoming an above-average coach, was a sports legend with an equally legendary nickname: Mr. Big shot. Unfailingly calm in hot moments. This is a great way to sum up the career of Chauncey Billups, NBA champion and Finals MVP, in 2004. That’s it.
Walter Davis: the man who inspired Michael Jordan
Walter Davis may not be the most blingy name in this Hall of Fame crop, but he may be the most important. We’re still talking about Michael Jordan’s idol, the one His Airness trusted to write for his majesty. Who guarantees us that without Walter Davis, there will be Michael Jordan? man.
Besides that, Sweet D is a Suns legend, the franchise’s all-time top scorer. Gifted with a shot and an elegant ball in hand capable of captivating any viewer (if he is lucky enough to own a television), the man with the velvet touch joins the stars in the Hall of Fame almost a year after joining those in heaven.
Michael Cooper: proud representative of Showtime
Michael Cooper is not the first name that comes to mind when we think of the Lakers Show timebut this is one of the most important. A true soldier of the shadows, MC was the defensive rock of the Angelinos during the 80s When Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar took care of the attack, they needed insurance on defense. Michael Cooper – not to be confused with DB Cooper – was there for that. Coop’ won five titles and will join his friends in the Basketball Pantheon.
Doug Collins: a true Swiss Army knife
It’s hard to tell what hat Doug Collins isn’t wearing. An excellent player who was selected as a 4-time All-Star, one of the first coaches of Michael Jordan in the Bulls and a famous commentator, DC has certainly left his mark on basketball. A mark dedicated to this very special weekend with Hall of Fame induction. A place that Doug Collins definitely didn’t steal, unlike his 1972 Olympic gold medal that was stolen by the USSR, but that’s another story…
Herb Simon: The Indiana boss
From now on, we enter the category of names that are somewhat obscure, not well known to many, but whose impact should not be neglected.
Herb Simon is the oldest active NBA franchise owner. It was in 1983 that he decided to acquire the Indiana Pacers as the franchise was going through a difficult time. Since then, he has not let them go, even asserting his control over Indiana basketball by acquiring the Indiana Fever, Caitlin Clark’s team.
Seimone Augustus: a true WNBA legend
Speaking of the WNBA, the transition will absolutely be about Seimone Augustus. A true legend of the Minnesota Lynx where she won 4 titles, she was also voted among the 20 greatest players in the history of the women’s league.
Interestingly, this is his third Hall of Fame induction this year. After joining the HoF in women’s basketball and Louisiana sports, she is ready to join the basketball pantheon.
Augustus has never lived up to his name.
Michele Timms: A Phoenix Legend
Walter Davis isn’t the only Phoenix legend joining the Hall of Fame this year. Michele Timms is one too. He was one of the first players to join the Phoenix Mercury. The talent in his hands, a great sense of passing and an incomparable way to steal balls, it was enough to lead the Mercury to three Playoff runs in their first four seasons, including a participation in the WNBA Finals in 1998 to the Hall of Fame.
Dick Barnett: a New York champion
If his name makes you smile, Dick Barnett isn’t laughing. A true Knicks figure where he won two titles in 1970 and 1973 – the only two in New York franchise history – he joins the ranks of basketball’s tallest stars after seeing his number 12 reach the ceiling at Madison Square Garden in 1990.
Bo Ryan: a college legend
Harley Redin: a soldier of the Pantheon
This intertitle should be taken literally. Harley Redin was a soldier, a real one, who participated in World War II. Her best basketball days began in 1955 when she managed the Flying Queens women’s team in Texas. We’ll save you from summarizing the career of a coach who hasn’t been in business since 1973 and instead focus on one statistic: when he was in charge of Queens, Harley went on a streak of.. .76 winning streak.
We can say that Redin is not stingy with winnings.
Charles Smith: a legendary coach from Louisiana
Finally, here’s another coach addicted to winning: Charles Smith. The legendary coach at Peabody Magnet School, he has more than 1,000 wins on his record since he took the position in 1985. He also has two perfect seasons to his credit in 2004 and 2010 with 41 wins. and 0 losses. A welcome longevity to join forever in the Hall of Fame.