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Shaq, Yao and Iverson look to take next step to Hall of Fame
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SHAQUILLE O’Neal should be a lock. Yao Ming and Allen Iverson could join him.
Two larger-than-life big men and one of basketball’s most exciting little guys highlight the list of players, coaches and contributors who are eligible for induction this year into the basketball Hall of Fame.
O’Neal and Iverson must get past an extra step by first being chosen as finalists during the NBA’s All-Star weekend festivities. If they do, they would then require 18 votes from the 24-member Honors Committee, as do all nominees from the North American and Women’s Committees.
Yao was nominated by the Hall’s International Committee, recognized as much for his impact in the growth of basketball in China as his play in the NBA. That committee elects players directly to the Hall.
The class of 2016 will be unveiled on April 4 in Houston on the day of the NCAA championship game, and the enshrinement ceremony is set for September 9 in Springfield, Massachusetts.
O’Neal, Yao and Iverson earned a chance to be a part of it after a recent rule change that made players eligible for nomination after four full seasons of retirement. Previously, they had to wait five years, which meant they were actually six years removed from their playing days by the time they could take their place in the birthplace of basketball.
O’Neal won four NBA championships, an MVP award and is in the league’s top 10 in career scoring. Iverson, just 1.82-meter tall, won four scoring titles and was the league’s MVP in 2001, when his 48-performance for Philadelphia in Game 1 of the NBA Finals handed O’Neal’s Lakers their only loss of the most dominant postseason in NBA history.
Yao’s career was cut short by multiple foot injuries. But the 2.31-meter center lasted long enough to make an enormous impact on and off the court after being selected No. 1 overall in 2002.
In NBA action, Russell Westbrook led Oklahoma to a 121-95 victory over New Orleans on Thursday, and Milwaukee beat Washington 99-92.
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