MJ to introduce Pip at HOF Induction

[Andrew]

Pippen to be introduced by Jordan at Hall ceremony

Pippen will be presented by his former Chicago Bulls teammate when he is inducted Friday night. Each inductee is presented by a current Hall of Famer. Jordan was enshrined last year.

Pippen will be inducted twice Friday. Pippen and Jordan, who led the Chicago Bulls to six NBA titles, were part of the Dream Team that highlights the class along with Karl Malone and the 1960 U.S. Olympic team.

Malone will be presented by former Knicks center Willis Reed.

I'm sure there will be some who don't like it given how much of MJ's speech was taken out of context last year but it seems appropriate to me. Given that one of the first things MJ said in his speech last year was that every time people saw him succeed Pip was right there with him, I think he'll have some very kind and complimentary words for Pippen in his introduction. So I for one think it's cool.

I would've thought Stockton would be the one to introduce Malone, after all it wouldn't be the first time he's set him up ( ) but I'm sure there's some significance in Willis Reed being the one to introduce him.

[NovU]

Malone by Stockton have been more epic for sure.

[mynameisgerd]

Aww damn, I would like to see Stockton introduce Malone..

[shadowgrin]

Showerf......nah.



Ball Don't Lie article:

If you've never read David Halberstam's "Playing for Keeps" or Sam Smith's "The Jordan Rules" — both about the 1990s Chicago Bulls and Michael Jordan, duh, and both essential — then you might not know how much Michael Jordan hated Scottie Pippen early in their careers.

Jordan realized Pippen's immense talent, maybe even before Pippen did, and seeing Scottie's inability to mold and develop those game-changing skills infuriated Jordan. He saw Pippen as mentally weak, soft and basically a disappointment. Then Scottie Pippen became one of the best players in the NBA, the Bulls won titles and Jordan accepted Pippen as a legit superstar, forming a bond the two would have through the rest of their lives. That's a YertNotes version of the Jordan and Pippen saga, but that's the gist of it and you're the one who didn't read two of the best basketball books ever written

From NBA.com's perilously-named Adam Fluck:

Adam Fluck article.

[Andrew]

Funny how they're still mentioning MJ's speech and trying to paint it as bitter and inappropriate when there was really only one truly uncomfortable moment (when he was talking about inviting the guy who made the team in high school when he was famously cut). But even if you want to look at his speech that way, I doubt he does anything except give Pip a fine introduction, step aside and listen to his speech along with everyone else.

[Sauru]

wtf stockton not doint it for malone? that sucks. anyway jordan really is the only person that makes sense for pippen

[Andrew]

Apparently it's because Reed is also from Louisiana.

Per Malone’s request, that honor has been bestowed upon a fellow Louisiana legend.

“Willis Reed is presenting me at the Hall of Fame, which I think is pretty cool,” Malone said Friday night while visiting with Utah media at his auto dealership.

Though many people thought either Stockton or Sloan would be chosen as his presenter — a privilege only current Hall of Famers are allowed to do — Malone went back to his youth to make the selection.

[Fresh8]

Maybe Karl Malone wanted it to be only about him for his presentation rather than sharing it with Stockton or Sloan as they have been directly related to his success?

Just putting it out there.

[Andrew]

Maybe, but I'd say it's more likely just the Louisiana thing.

[shadowgrin]

It's the Louisiana/fanboy thing. He's a fanboy of Willis Reed like the same way Jordan is of David Thompson. People seem to forget that players were once kids/fans in their life.

[Andrew]

Hall of Fame welcomes 2 great Olympic champions

Pippen opened his acceptance speech by praising Michael Jordan, his fellow six-time NBA champion from the Chicago Bulls for being “the best teammate.”

“MJ, you have touched so many people’s lives, but none quite like mine,” Pippen said.

A little-known player from Central Arkansas when the Bulls got him in 1987, Pippen was the first player inducted during the enshrinement ceremony at Symphony Hall. With Jordan standing nearby on stage as his presenter, Pippen said he would “cherish their relationship forever.”

“Who knew that No. 23 would be here 23 years later presenting me to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame?” Pippen said.

Thought that was pretty cool, that they both acknowledged each other that way in their speeches. Also good to know that despite not always getting along they ultimately became such good friends as well as such a great duo on the court. I realise a lot of people couldn't care less about that but given how the inside story in sports and entertainment seems to be that X doesn't get along with Y and often quite negative, I've always preferred the more positive anecdotes.

Anyway, congrats to Pippen and the rest of the Hall of Fame class of 2010.

[The X]

Looking forward to watching the speeches on YouTube

[NovU]

Same here, X.

Hoping to see same with Lebron and Wade, and possibly Bosh as well. Not sure if all 3 will make it to HOF, but they do have a decent chance I assume, if they will a couple rings together.

[Dee.]

You just had to say it,huh?

[|)e8*]

Same here, X.

Hoping to see same with Lebron and Wade, and possibly Bosh as well. Not sure if all 3 will make it to HOF, but they do have a decent chance I assume, if they will a couple rings together.

I lol'd

[NovU]

What's so funny that made you laughing out loud?

[Lamrock]

Its not the statement itself that's ridiculous, but the fact that every single one of your posts references the Heat, no matter the subject matter.

[benji]

Pippen and Jordan were never able to overcome the Bad Boys during the prime of that team.

Pippen will go down in history as the poor man's Austin Daye.

[shadowgrin]

Hoping to see same with Lebron and Wade, and possibly Bosh as well. Not sure if all 3 will make it to HOF, but they do have a decent chance I assume, if they will a couple rings together.

What the fuck has that got to do with Jordan or Pippen? You really are starting to be a cock sucking homer.

LeBron will probably make a one hour special on ESPN deciding who will introduce him to the HOF.
After his speech, everyone will criticize Wade for not acknowledging/thanking the referees for his first championship.
Bosh can't even make his own damn mind about his speech and will just combine the speeches of LeBron and Wade together for his own.

There, happy?

[Martti.]

Great speech from Pippen, truly worthy of the induction!

[NovU]

Hoping to see same with Lebron and Wade, and possibly Bosh as well. Not sure if all 3 will make it to HOF, but they do have a decent chance I assume, if they will a couple rings together.

What the fuck has that got to do with Jordan or Pippen? You really are starting to be a cock sucking homer.

You impotent nincompoop. Don't you call me a cock sucking homer!

[shadowgrin]

And yet you haven't addressed my question. Can't answer anything about basketball unless it relates to the Heat huh? What a dick licker.

[The X]

Great speech from Pippen, truly worthy of the induction!

Strange, I thought speech was pretty average. He was clearly nervous, read it all, did not improvise or use humour. He was a great player, just not great at giving speches.

[benji]

just not great at giving speches.

How dare you:

phpBB [video]

[The X]

I stand corrected, his performance in that ad was superb