SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Hall of Famer is a powerful phrase, an almost mystical title conjuring greatness and grandeur. Once earned, the moniker becomes a de facto first name, demanding reverence.
As of Friday night, he is no longer Shaquille O'Neal, but Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal. The man towering over him on the stage? That's Hall of Famer Yao Ming. The little dude with the cornrows standing among the giants? Hall of Famer Allen Iverson.
Their induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame certified their place in history, and they were rightfully, often raucously, celebrated for their outsize achievements. O'Neal, Iverson and Yao all dominated the NBA, in their own unique ways. Their fame is unquestioned.
Yet amid the standing ovations and the stirring tributes, the woots, the shout-outs and the tears, came frequent reminders that "fame" is an elastic concept, molded to fit each honoree, no matter his imperfections.
And this was a uniquely imperfect class of NBA inductees.
O'Neal: a freakish blend of force and finesse, who powered his way to four NBA championships, one Mo ...
Read Full Article at Bleacher Report - NBA
Article written by Howard Beck
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September 10th, 2016 by Howard Beck Leave a reply »
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