NEW YORK (AFP) – Los Angeles Lakers icon Kobe Bryant inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday as part of a star-studded group that also included Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett.
Bryant admitted to the Class of 2020, nearly 16 months after he and his 13-year-old daughter Gianna killed in a helicopter crash along with seven other people in Southern California.
Kobe Bryant’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, took the podium Saturday to speak movingly about his love for basketball, his family, his teammates and his fans.
“He did. You are now in the Hall of Fame. You are a true champion, not just an MVP. He is an all-time great player,” Vanessa said.
Duncan, San Antonio Spurs star, Minnesota Timberwolves and Boston Celtics big man Garnett, two-time NBA champion coach Rudy Tomjanovich and WNBA legend Tamika Catchings were among those who also included the Saturday night.
Kobe Bryant inducted into Basketball Hall of Fame
The delayed consecration lasted two days at the Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, and Vanessa Bryant and Kobe’s eldest daughter Natalia accepted Bryant’s Hall of Fame jacket and ring on Friday night. .
Bryant and the others were voted into the Hall of Fame as part of the 2020 class, but the formal induction ceremony delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“There never be anyone like Kobe Bryant,” Vanessa said. “Unique Kobe in him. He was special. He was humble, off the court, but bigger than life.”
Vanessa helped up on stage by NBA legend Michael Jordan, who played host to Kobe, and three-time NCAA champion coach Kim Mulkey.
“He and Gigi deserved to be here to witness this. Gigi would be very proud to have her father inducted into the Hall of Fame,” Vanessa said.
Like Kobe, Garnett went straight from high school to the NBA. Garnett spoke of his respect and admiration for Duncan and Kobe Bryant.
“I appreciate you,” Garnett told Duncan from the stage. “It’s an honor to go down the hall with you, bro. You and Kob.”
Garnett played 21 seasons for Minnesota, Boston and Brooklyn, averaging 17.8 points and 10.0 rebounds per game.
“My only regret with Minnesota is that I couldn’t bring in a championship,” Garnett said. “But like I said, I hope to rebuild Minneapolis.”
Duncan made an immediate impact on the NBA, winning the rookie of the year award. His first NBA title came just a year after that.
– “Very nervous” –
“This is the most nervous moment I’ve ever had in my life,” Duncan said as he left. “I went through finals, seven games, this is officially the most nervous I’ve ever had in my life.
In 19 seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, Duncan averaged 19.0 points, 10.8 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 2.2 blocks per game.
Catchings overcame a series of obstacles that led to his stellar basketball career.
“Basketball chose me, a clumsy, lanky, introverted tomboy, born with a hearing impairment, a speech impediment and a willingness to overcome obstacles, dream big and change the world,” Catchings said.
