NBA stars Tony Parker, Dirk Nowitzki, Dwyane Wade and Pau Gasol, along with legendary San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, were inducted into the Hall of Fame on Saturday. American, at a ceremony in Springfield, Massachusetts. The class of 2023 paid tribute to global talent with French-American Tony Parker, German Nowitzki, Spaniard Gasol and American Wade, joined by Popovich, 74, who has coached Spurs since 1996.
Four-time NBA champions
Parker was a four-time NBA champion with San Antonio, a six-time All-Star and the 2007 NBA Finals Most Valuable Player. “It was an incredible journey,” Parker said. “I never thought someone like me could experience such an adventure. For all the kids watching, keep dreaming big,” Parker thanked his family and paid tribute to his American and French roots. “I felt like I had the best of both cultures and that helped me in my journey. When I was in France, people said to me: you’re too small. You’re too skinny. ever get there. Well, I’m the one laughing now.”
“He is the best leader in the history of Europe”, reacted Saturday his former partner in the France team Nicolas Batum, currently in preparation for the World Cup-2023 with the Blues. “It’s deserved, we see it from the French prism, but even in the United States, he left an indelible mark,” added French coach Vincent Collet. Parker was a star for Popovich’s Spurs from 2001 to 2018, and finished his NBA career in Charlotte in 2019.
“You are amazing,” Parker told Popovich. “You threw me in the fire at 19…You’ve always been a second father to me, Pop. Everything you’ve done for me and my family, I appreciate. Thank you. I t ‘love”. “I was very tough on him and expected a lot from him,” Popovich retorted of his former protege. “I am very proud of what he has accomplished.” Popovich, the oldest coach in all of North American professional sports, led the Spurs to five titles and was named NBA Coach of the Year three times. He was also the coach of the USA team made up of gold medal-winning NBA stars at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
European NBA Pioneers
“This moment is a testament to the support, guidance and inspiration I received from so many people during my basketball journey,” said Spaniard Pau Gasol, thanking the European pioneers of the NBA who paved the way for his arrival. “I want to give a special mention to those first Europeans who came here, who crossed the ocean, who tried their luck and opened doors for players like me”.
Pau Gasol was a two-time NBA champion with the Los Angeles Lakers and a six-time NBA All-Star, playing from 2001 to 2019 with Memphis, the Lakers, Chicago, San Antonio and Milwaukee. Gasol spoke fondly of Kobe Bryant, his former Lakers teammate, who died in 2020 in a helicopter crash with his daughter Gianna. “I wouldn’t be here without you, bro,” he said. “I wish more than anything that you and Gigi were here with us. We miss you and we love you.” Other inductees include six-time WNBA All-Star Becky Hammon, the 1976 U.S. Women’s Olympic Team and former coaches Gene Keady, Gary Blair, David Hixon, Gene Bess and Jim Valvano.