Tag: NBA Hall of Fame

Rockets honor Hall of Fame coach Rudy Tomjanovich

“It is going to be awesome,” said Tomjanovich about the addition of his Hall of Fame honor added to his retired jersey at Toyota Center. “I didn’t get into the game for that kind of stuff. It’s kind of personal, playing the game and doing your job. “It’s just that feeling of accomplishment that you did something well.

A familiar face was in attendance on Thursday night for the Houston Rockets game against the New York Knicks. Hall of Fame head coach Rudy Tomjanovich was honored by the Rockets for his induction into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame earlier this year.

“It is going to be awesome,” said Tomjanovich about the addition of his Hall of Fame honor added to his retired jersey at Toyota Center. “I didn’t get into the game for that kind of stuff. It’s kind of personal, playing the game and doing your job. “It’s just that feeling of accomplishment that you did something well.

Tomjanovich played his entire career for Houston and was a five-time All-Star and is currently fourth all-time on the Rockets scoring list. After he retired from the NBA, he joined Houston’s coaching staff in 1981 as a team scout and became an assistant for two years.

When head coach Don Chaney resigned in 1992, Tomjanovich took over as interim and was eventually given the permanent job. During his tenure as the Rockets head coach, he helped lead them to back-to-back NBA Championships in 1994 and 1995.

Chris Bosh reflects on playing with Lakers’ LeBron James ahead of Hall of Fame induction

Chris Bosh on a 16-year-old LeBron James: “He was the best player I had ever seen.”

The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame is inducting the Class of 2021, and Chris Bosh is among the new group being immortalized in the basketball world.

The Toronto Raptors selected Bosh with the No. 4 pick in the 2003 NBA draft, three spots below LeBron James, who went to the Cleveland Cavaliers as the top pick.

Bosh played 13 seasons in the league: seven with the Raptors and six with the Miami Heat, with whom he infamously formed the Big Three with James and Dwyane Wade.

Bosh won two titles with the Heat and made 11 All-Star appearances overall. Despite having his career cut short due to a medical reason, he had a career filled with positive moments; James being his teammate was one of them.

Ahead of his induction ceremony, Bosh reflected on what playing with James was like, via NBA TV:

“The first time I saw LeBron play was in the summertime of 2001, he was 16 back then. He was the best player I had ever seen. Even me trying to be a recruit, and trying to be the best player I could be, and I was pretty good where I was from, don’t get me wrong, but seeing him play, he pretty much always set the tone for that class.”

There’s no doubt James will be in the Hall of Fame whenever he decides to hang up the sneakers, and seeing other incredible talent praise James in this manner shows just how remarkable he is.

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Vanessa Bryant ended her Hall of Fame speech with a touching, emotional message for Kobe

“I’m so proud of you. I love you forever and always, Kobe Bean Bryant.”

Kobe Bryant’s posthumous introduction into the NBA Hall of Fame this weekend was always going to be emotional for the basketball world. On Saturday, during the induction ceremony, Vanessa Bryant spoke on behalf of Kobe, who was introduced into the Hall of Fame alongside Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan.

Vanessa’s speech was long, poignant, and everything basketball fans wanted to hear on a weekend already filled to the brim with Kobe tributes. The end of Vanessa’s speech, especially, is worth highlighting on its own for her touching, heartfelt message to Kobe in wake of his Hall of Fame induction on Saturday.

Here’s the end of Vanessa’s speech in full:

“Congratulations, baby. All of your hard work and sacrifice has paid off. You once told me, if you’re going to bet on someone, bet on yourself. I’m glad you bet on yourself, you overachiever. You did it. You’re in the Hall of Fame now. You are a true champ. You’re not just an MVP, you’re an all-time great. I’m so proud of you. I love you forever and always, Kobe Bean Bryant.”

There were some other great highlights from Vanessa’s speech, including a nice Michael Jordan moment and Vanessa making a jab at herself for praising Kobe in her speech.

Vanessa’s speech capped off a lovely weekend of Kobe tributes from the Hall of Fame. The NBA revealed the Hall of Fame’s Kobe exhibit — designed by Vanessa herself — while his daughter Natalia accepted his blazer from the event.

Garnett, in speaking with the media, told the press that Kobe was “like a little brother” to him, highlighting the relationship the two shared.

What a wonderful weekend of Kobe tributes and celebrations, with Vanessa’s speech officially inducting him and his incredible legacy into the NBA Hall of Fame forever.

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Kevin Garnett had heartfelt words to Vanessa Bryant during NBA Hall of Fame speech

“It’s an honor to go in the Hall with you bro, you and Kob.”

After a long wait, Kevin Garnett is now a member of the NBA Hall of Fame. On Saturday, Garnett was inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside 2020 classmates Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan, eight months delayed from its original event date.

At the end of Garnett’s speech, the 44-year-old had some kind words for Duncan about how hard they competed against one another during their careers. Garnett also had some heartwarming words to say to Vanessa Bryant about Kobe in the wake of his posthumous Hall of Fame induction.

The moment was a really wonderful touch from Garnett, and you can watch it here.

This isn’t the first instance of Garnett shouting out Kobe this Hall of Fame weekend. On Friday, Garnett said that Kobe was like “a little brother” to him to the media ahead of Saturday’s ceremony.

Basketball fans also got a great look at Kobe’s exhibit at the Hall of Fame, designed by Vanessa herself, alongside a moment where his daughter, Natalia, wore his Hall of Fame jacket.

What a weekend full of celebration to Kobe and his life and career, and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

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WATCH: Kevin Garnett on what winning a championship in Boston meant to him

Kevin Garnett on winning a championship in Boston

During today’s Hall of Fame press conference, 2020 NBA Hall of Fame inductee Kevin Garnett was asked about winning the 2008 NBA championship with Boston. The Celtic legend showered Boston with praise, from the fans to the franchise itself.

Garnett also touched on his only regret about his time in green: That he didn’t get to Boston sooner.

In his own words, here is what winning as a Celtic meant to the Hall of Fame power forward:

2020 Basketball Hall of Fame live stream, TV channel, start time, Kobe Bryant induction ceremony, how to watch

In a year that nobody could have predicted, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame will finally be inducting its Class of 2020 on Saturday.

In a year that nobody could have predicted, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame will finally be inducting its Class of 2020 on Saturday. On Friday night there will be a Class of 2020 press conference with the inductees.

Kobe Bryant will be the headliner of the induction ceremony, who will be inducted by his friend and who he modeled his game behind, Michael Jordan. Kobe’s wife Vanessa Bryant will also speak as NBA fans will celebrate Bryant’s legacy as he is inducted into the 2020 Hall of Fame.

Kobe won’t be the only one inducted but will also include Kevin Garnett and Tim Duncan. This will be a celebration that you won’t want to miss and we have you covered.

Here is everything you need to know to stream the action on Friday & Saturday.

How to Watch 

2020 Basketball Hall of Fame

Class of 2020 press conference

  • When: Friday, May 14
  • Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
  • TV Channel: NBA TV
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)

Hall of Fame Awards Celebration & Gala

  • When: Saturday, May 15
  • Time: 5:30 p.m. ET
  • TV Channel: ESPN
  • Live Stream: fuboTV (watch for free)

The 2020 Hall of Fame inductees/presenters

*Per Hall of Fame rules, presenters must also be Hall of Famers themselves.

  • Patrick Baumann, presented by Russ Granik (2013), Vlade Divac (2019)
  • Kobe Bryant, presented by Michael Jordan (2009)
  • Tamika Catchings, presented by Alonzo Mourning (2014), Dawn Staley (2013)
  • Tim Duncan, presented by David Robinson (2009)
  • Kevin Garnett, presented by Isiah Thomas (2000)
  • Kim Mulkey, presented by Michael Jordan (2009)
  • Barbara Stevens, presented by Geno Auriemma (2006), Muffet McGraw (2017)
  • Eddie Sutton, presented by John Calipari (2015), Bill Self (2017), Sidney Moncrief (2019)
  • Rudy Tomjanovich, presented by Calvin Murphy (1993), Hakeem Olajuwon (2008)

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Tomjanovich on his coaching style: ‘Encouragement builds confidence’

In an interview with Matt Bullard (his former player), ‘Rudy T’ explains the unique coaching style that helped make him a Hall of Famer.

Former Houston Rockets head coach Rudy Tomjanovich was seen by many as a “players’ coach” during his tenure, and he expands on that philosophy in a new interview with his former player, Matt Bullard.

“Rudy T,” as he’s best known, was recently announced as an inductee in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2020. In his 11-plus seasons as the team’s head coach from 1992 through 2003, Tomjanovich led Houston to a 503-397 (.559) regular-season record and a 51-39 (.567) mark in the NBA playoffs, headlined by two championships in 1994 and 1995. He is by far the winningest coach in franchise history.

In his chat Wednesday with Bullard and play-by-play broadcaster Craig Ackerman, who normally work together on Houston’s game telecasts, Tomjanovich reflected on his personal Hall of Fame news while also offering some new perspective on his unique coaching philosophy.

Here’s how one exchange from the interview went:

Bullard: One of the biggest things that I took away from your coaching is that when you feel like a coach is on your side, you want to play harder for that coach and not let him down. When you have a coach yelling at you constantly, then you just tune him out.

Tomjanovich: Absolutely. Encouragement builds confidence. Over the years, I tried to verbalize what my philosophy was becoming. I would say it’s 80% positive, 20% correction. When we’re doing a tape and the coach gets excited — ‘Look at this, this is what I’m talking about’ — they get an idea of what I think good Rockets basketball is.

https://www.facebook.com/17729777319/videos/534072790803197

The complete interview, which covers a wide range of topics related to Rudy T’s current life and his storied NBA career, can be viewed below.

Tomjanovich and the rest of the Hall of Fame’s new class will be enshrined on Aug. 29 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Former NBA players in the class include Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, and the late Kobe Bryant.

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https://www.facebook.com/17729777319/videos/940873606367079

Hakeem Olajuwon accepts offer to present ‘Rudy T’ at Hall of Fame

Rockets legend Hakeem Olajuwon said Saturday that he’ll join Calvin Murphy in presenting Rudy Tomjanovich at his Hall of Fame induction.

As expected, legendary Houston Rockets center Hakeem Olajuwon graciously accepted a request from his former coach, Rudy Tomjanovich, to formally present him at his August 2020 induction into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

Tomjanovich will be jointly presented by Olajuwon and Calvin Murphy, who both are already in the Hall of Fame. Olajuwon was the best player for “Rudy T” during his coaching years, while Tomjanovich played alongside Murphy for 11 years in his playing career from 1970 until 1981.

In comments to Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston, Olajuwon said:

I told [Tomjanovich] I feel so honored. It’s my honor that he thought of me. As you know, our careers paralleled. We accomplished something that’s so special together. He could have chosen anybody on that team, but to choose me, I feel privileged and honored.

On sharing the honor with Murphy, Olajuwon said:

Those are two of my heroes. Close friends, teammates. To be able to share that platform with them, I feel very privileged.

In his 11-plus seasons as head coach, Tomjanovich led the Rockets to a 503-397 (.559) regular-season record and a 51-39 (.567) mark in the NBA playoffs, headlined by Houston’s two championships in 1994 and 1995. He is by far the winningest coach in franchise history.

Olajuwon was the NBA’s regular-season MVP in the 1993-94 campaign, and the NBA Finals MVP in both years.

“He’s the reason I’m standing up there,” Tomjanovich told Berman. “If I don’t have Hakeem, does it happen? We don’t know, probably not. He was such a big part of my life.”

Besides his extensive accomplishments as a coach, Tomjanovich was also a dynamic player ⁠— with averages of 17.4 points and 8.1 rebounds in 33.5 minutes per game. He was a five-time All-Star at power forward over 11 NBA seasons, which were all played alongside Murphy.

“I’m gonna be like a little kid in a candy store that night, taking pictures of everything,” Murphy said about his inclusion in the induction ceremony for Tomjanovich. “Having pictures of me and Dream and Rudy together, you’re looking at the originals and the franchise together.”

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Tomjanovich and other members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2020 are scheduled to be enshrined on Saturday, Aug. 29 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Former NBA players to be inducted will include Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, and the late Kobe Bryant.

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Rudy Tomjanovich eyes Olajuwon, Murphy as Hall of Fame presenters

Rudy Tomjanovich is asking Hall of Famers and Rockets legends Calvin Murphy and Hakeem Olajuwon to present him at his August induction.

Former Houston Rockets player and head coach Rudy Tomjanovich is asking franchise icons Calvin Murphy and Hakeem Olajuwon to formally present him later this year at his Hall of Fame induction.

Tomjanovich played with Murphy throughout his 11-year career from 1970 thrugh 1981, while Olajuwon was the star player during his two NBA championships as a coach in 1994 and 1995.

Murphy immediately accepted the honor. In comments to Mark Berman of Fox 26 Houston, the Hall of Fame guard said Monday:

I would have been very, very disappointed and very hurt if I had not been at his right hand when he accepts his enshrinement. That was absolutely fabulous. It doesn’t get any better than that. Over the 10 years we roomed together, over the years we’ve known each other, I can’t begin to tell you how much time we spent talking basketball.

The fact that Rudy Tomjanovich and Calvin Murphy came into the NBA together, we cried together, we laughed together, and now we’re going to be in the Hall of Fame together. It don’t get any better than that.

As for Olajuwon, a Hall of Fame center, Tomjanovich told Berman:

If Hakeem isn’t on the team when I get the job, you guys will probably be saying ‘Hey, remember that guy with the long last name who used to play for the Rockets?’ People wouldn’t know who I am right now. I was just blessed to have such a great player that we could build around. He’s the key ingredient to this whole deal.

In his 11-plus seasons as head coach, Tomjanovich led the Rockets to a 503-397 (.559) regular-season record and a 51-39 (.567) mark in the NBA playoffs, headlined by Houston’s two championships in 1994 and 1995. He is by far the winningest coach in franchise history.

Besides his extensive accomplishments as a coach, “Rudy T” was also a dynamic player ⁠— with averages of 17.4 points and 8.1 rebounds in 33.5 minutes per game. He was a five-time All-Star at power forward.

Tomjanovich and other members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame’s Class of 2020 are scheduled to be enshrined on Saturday, Aug. 29 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Former NBA players to be inducted will include Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, and the late Kobe Bryant.

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