Retired NBA stars Tony Parker, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwyane Wade and Pau Gasol and legendary San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich were among those inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday. The Class of 2023 features French guard Parker, German forward Nowitzki, Spanish center Gasol and US guard Wade along with the 74-year-old Popovich, who has coached the Spurs since 1996, a tribute to global talent. “This is really a powerhouse class,” Gasol said. “I am humbled and very lucky to be a part of this class with all these amazing people.”
“I think I made it somewhere,” Wade said. “I’m just enjoying the moment.”
Parker was a four-time NBA champion, six-time NBA All-Star and 2007 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player with San Antonio.
“It’s been an incredible journey,” Parker said. “I never thought someone like me could experience something like this. To all the kids watching, keep dreaming big.”
“I felt like I had the best of both cultures and that helped me on my journey,” Parker said, thanking her family and paying tribute to her American and French heritage.
“When I was in France, they said, ‘You’re too short. You’re too skinny. You’ll never make it.’ Well, I’m the one laughing now.”
Parker was a star for Popovich’s Spurs from 2001-2018 and finished his NBA career in Charlotte in 2019.
To Popovich, Parker said, “You’re incredible. You put me on fire at 19… You’ve always been a second father to me, Pop. I appreciate everything you’ve done for my family and for me. Thank you. I love you.”
Popovich said of Parker: “I was very hard on him and expected a lot from him. I’m very proud of what he’s done.”
Popovich, the longest-tenured North American pro sports coach, led the Spurs to five titles and was named NBA Coach of the Year three times. He also coached the US gold medal team of NBA stars at the Tokyo Olympics.
Nowitzki played his entire 21-year career for the Dallas Mavericks, leading them to the 2011 NBA title as the NBA Finals MVP. He was the 2007 NBA MVP and a 14-time All-Star before retiring in 2019.
“I just want to say thank you to the people closest to me,” Nowitzki said. “I just want to make sure everyone who’s been with me on this journey gets their flowers and then I can ride off into the sunset.”
Gasol remembers Kobe
Gasol was a two-time NBA champion and six-time NBA All-Star with the Los Angeles Lakers who played with Memphis, the Lakers, Chicago, San Antonio and Milwaukee from 2001 to 2019.
“This moment is a testament to the support, guidance and inspiration I have received from so many throughout my basketball journey,” Gasol said.
Gasol thanked the European NBA pioneers who paved the way for his arrival, saying, “I want to give a special mention to the first Europeans who came here, who crossed the ocean, who took a chance and opened the door for players like me.”
Gasol got choked up remembering the late Kobe Bryant, his former Lakers teammate who died in a 2020 helicopter crash along with his daughter Gianna.
“I wouldn’t be here without you, brother,” Gasol said. “I wish you and Gigi were here with us. We miss you and love you.”
Wade won three NBA titles with the Miami Heat and also played for Chicago and Cleveland. He was the 2006 NBA Finals MVP and a 13-time NBA All-Star.
“I believe in working hard, going to work with my head down, my ears open,” Wade said. “I had a dream and I didn’t want anything to get in the way of my dream. I made sure I did the work and got the opportunity to be the best I could be.”
Other accusers include six-time WNBA All-Star Becky Hammon, the 1976 US Women’s Olympic team and former coaches Jean Keady, Gary Blair, David Hixon, Jean Bess and Jim Valvano.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is generated automatically from a syndicated feed.)
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