SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Only Allen Iverson could deliver a Hall of Fame speech that name-checked 90s rappers, referenced Chappelles Show and thanked just about every person he met along his basketball journey. Only Shaquille ONeal could follow that act with what amounted to a half-hour comedy routine that needled former coaches and teammates and included a soap-opera shout-out.The Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fames Class of 2016 lived up to its lofty billing with an epic three-hour induction ceremony Friday night at Springfields Symphony Hall, with Iverson and ONeal stealing the show.Iverson delivered a captivating 31-minute speech in which he overcame initial jitters during a memorable address that featured multiple standing ovations. Fans with No. 3 Iverson jerseys in the balcony cheered throughout.Dressed in a black suit with a black shirt and tie, Iverson paused repeatedly to collect himself at the start of his speech while thanking his three presenters -- Larry Brown, Julius Erving and John Thompson -- as well as members of his family.Fighting tears throughout, Iverson thanked former Georgetown coach Thompson for saving my life.[After] the incident happened in high school and all that was taken away ... no other schools would recruit me anymore, Iverson recalled, referencing a racial brawl at a bowling alley that landed him in jail. His conviction in the case was later overturned. My mom went to Georgetown and begged [Thompson] to give me a chance. And he did.He said he later left Georgetown only as an OK basketball player.But once I started to listen to Larry Brown and take constructive criticism, I learned how much of a great, great coach that he really is. ... Thats when I became an MVP, Iverson said.In maybe the most memorable moment of his address, Iverson recalled his first time playing against his idol, Michael Jordan.Man, I wanted to be like Mike, Iverson said. I remember the first time I played against him. I walked out on the court and I looked at him. And, for the first time in my life, a human being didnt really look real to me. You know what I mean? I dont know if you all watch the Chappelle Show, but he talked about a certain incident where somebodys seeing Rick James. Like I literally seen his aura. It looked like he was glowing.Im sitting there, and Im saying, Man, thats Michael. And Im looking at him. I cant stop looking at him. Im looking at his shoes, and Im like, man, hes got on the Jordans! It was my Mike. It was my idol, my hero.After the Jordan story, Iverson seemed to settle in. Nervously rocking at the start of his speech, he confidently thanked a Rolodex of coaches, owners, teammates and rappers.I want to thank Biggie Smalls, Redman, Jadakiss, Tupac and Michael Jackson for being my theme music throughout my career, Iverson said.Twenty-two minutes into his speech, Iverson said, The Philly fans, and that elicited a monster reaction from the balcony, which immediately engaged in an MVP chant.Added Iverson: My relationship with the fans in Philadelphia is like no other. I thank you all for the support over the years. ... You never jumped off the bandwagon, continued to support me like true fans are supposed to.Iverson also paid tribute to the ones that stuck by me throughout my journey. He cited all the barbershop talk that my family had and all the arguments my friends had with people in the barbershop and hair salon.Now you can say: Well, look, my man is solidified.Iverson closed his speech with a nod to the guys who are not my friends anymore.Im glad that you blew your cover for me to recognize that you [werent] any good to my family or me. And I appreciate yall for that. So if I make any more new friends, I know the signs, he said.Not to be outdone, ONeal took the stage for a punchline-filled speech as the final inductee of the night.ONeal referenced Luke and Laura from General Hospital and joked about his commercial endeavors, including how he sat in a Buick I knew I couldnt fit in. Drawing laughter, ONeal added, Hey, they paid me $3 million. What did you want me to say, no?His speech had serious moments, like when he thanked his parents, Phil Harrison and Lucille ONeal, for giving him the discipline and drive that drove his NBA dream.If I know my father, hes up there arguing with Wilt [Chamberlain] that his son is the best big man in the game, ONeal said.One day when some father quizzes his sons on the greats of the game, I hope Shaquille ONeal will be the answer, he later added.Maybe ONeals most memorable line came when he thanked former Los Angeles Lakers teammate Kobe Bryant.Kobe Bryant, a guy that would push me and help me win three titles in a row, said ONeal. He would also help me get pushed off the team and traded to?Miami.After detailing his on-court chess matches with Iverson, ONeal turned his attention to fellow inductee Yao Ming.For years, I never spoke to Yao. I thought there was a language barrier there, ONeal said. Then one game he hit me with a Hakeem Olajuwon bang-bang fadeaway. I said, Hey, Yao, nice move. He said, Thanks, my brother. I said, Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. You speak English? He was like, Shaq, you never talk to me. Of course I speak English.And ONeal didnt miss an opportunity to make a free throw joke.Id like to thank Nick Anderson for missing those four free throws in a row in my first NBA Finals, ONeal said. Im just playing, Nick. But when I was writing this speech, I was like, You know what? Itd be pretty funny if a terrible free throw shooter criticized a bad one. Then I said to myself, Damn, I should have listened to [underhanded free throw shooter] Rick Barry. Then I also said to myself, You know what? Id rather be a terrible free throw shooter that, in about 15 minutes, will be in the Hall of Fame. So, Rick, thanks, but no thanks.Yao won the opening tip and delivered a heartfelt speech that showcased his own sense of humor.When I heard that I was speaking first tonight, I thought that someone made a mistake, he said. I think this spot belongs to the great Allen Iverson. You want to know why? Because I need practice more than him.Flanked by presenters Bill Russell, Dikembe Mutombo and Bill Walton, Yao joked about being confused when Cuttino Mobley invited him over for soul food (I thought he meant salty food) and thanked Rockets fans for sticking by him through injuries (I am a Texan and a Houston Rocket for life). He also referenced his battles with fellow inductee ONeal by noting, Every game we played reminded me of the old saying, What doesnt kill you makes you stronger.In his speech, Michigan State?coach Tom Izzo made special mention of his players in attendance, including Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, who heard some boos on the red carpet on his way into the event but was cheered by the crowd when referenced by Izzo.Izzo thanked his parents, Carl and Dorothy, for being his first mentors. The 90-year-old Dorothy was in attendance; Carl passed away in December.Izzo briefly got choked up as he spoke of his father, who he said instilled in him a work ethic that remains with him today.The seven Final Fours and championship are just frosting on the cake, Izzo said.The induction ceremony also featured longtime?Chicago Bulls owner Jerry Reinsdorf and WNBA star Sheryl Swoopes.Reinsdorf chronicled what led him to purchase the Bulls in 1984. It was a move he said legendary New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner panned, telling him he would never make any money.He enjoyed proving him wrong.Its been a great life, Reinsdorf said. I know its the fourth quarter, but Im hoping for overtime.Two of the themes on the night were family and journeys. That was the essence of Swoopes speech. She said she was thankful for her path from tiny Brownfield, Texas, and that her cancer-stricken mother, Louise, was able to see it.What a ride its been, she said.Videotaped acceptance speeches aired on behalf of Darell Garretson (27-year NBA referee), Cumberland Posey (early African-American pioneer), John McLendon (coach) and Zelmo Beaty (member of ABA all-time team).Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. David Beckham Jersey Nick Pope Jersey . For the Wild it was their first win of the season and they now have a record of 1-1-2 while the Jets fall to 2-2. Jets start a six game home stand Friday with another divisional game, home to the Dallas Stars. http://www.englandsoccerpro.com/Dele-Alli-England-Jersey/ . "I wrote 36 on my sheet at the beginning of the game," the Cincinnati coach said, referring the yard line the ball would need to be snapped from. Jack Butland England Jersey . 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DURHAM, N.C. -- Duke will retire Elizabeth Williams No. 1 jersey during the Blue Devils game against Kentucky on Dec. 29.School officials said Monday that Williams will become the third womens basketball player to have her number retired, and it will join Alana Beards No. 20 and Lindsey Hardings No. 10 in the Cameron Indoor Stadium rafters.Williams, who currently plays for the WNBAs Atlanta Dreeam, is the only player in Atlantic Coast Conference history selected four times to the AP All-America team, and is the first in league history with more than 1,900 points, 1,000 rebounds and 400 blocked shots during her career, which lasted from 2011-15.dddddddddddd ' ' '
