Power forward Karl Malone and small forward Scottie Pippen were among 10 inductees into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday.
Malone, who is considered one of the greatest power forwards to play in the NBA, is the league’s second-highest scorer with 36,928 points.
Malone, who was a two-time league MVP, honored his mother who died seven years ago, in his induction speech.
PHOTO: REUTERS
“I’m here because of her,” an emotional Malone said. “For me to be here tonight, everything had to be perfect. I had to get drafted by Utah, had to play with a point guard like John Stockton, and had to be coached by Jerry Sloan and Frank Layden.”
Pippen, who won six NBA titles with the Chicago Bulls, also played with the Houston Rockets and Portland Trail Blazers. He was an NBA All-Star three times and, like Malone, won two Olympic gold medals in 1992 and 1996.
Pippen opened his speech by acknowledging his presenter, and former teammate, Michael Jordan.
“What an honor it is for me as a basketball player to have the all-time great presenting me here,” Pippen said. “MJ, you have touched so many people’s lives, but none quite like mine.
“Thank you for being the best teammate. I will always cherish that experience and I will cherish our relationship forever,” he said.
The 1992 US Olympic “Dream Team,” which included Malone and Pippen, were also inducted, as were the 1960 US Olympic team.
Other inductees were Cynthia Cooper, the first WNBA player to be inducted, New Jersey high school coach Bob Hurley and Los Angeles Lakers owner Jerry Buss.
Dennis Johnson, Gus Johnson and Brazilian Maciel Pereira were enshrined posthumously.
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