SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Scottie Pippen and Karl Malone were inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Friday, recognized as individuals and as part of the Dream Team.
Pippen opened his acceptance speech by praising Michael Jordan, his fellow six-time NBA champion from the 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. With Jordan standing nearby on stage as his presenter, Pippen said he would “cherish their relationship forever.”
Malone struggled with his emotions throughout his speech, especially at the end when he recalled his mother, saying she had died seven years ago Friday.
“I’m here because of her,” he said.
Malone also thanked late Jazz owner Larry Miller for believing in him. Malone is a two-time MVP and second on the league’s career scoring list, and said his success came from staying true to his Louisiana roots.
“I hope I did it the way my peers did it before me,” Malone said. “I didn’t do anything but try to play hard.”
The 2010 class also includes the Dream Team that won the 1992 Olympics and the 1960 U.S. gold medalists. Pippen and Malone played with Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird on the 1992 team, and Bird was nearing retirement because of a bad back and had to be persuaded by Johnson to play.
“Pretty good way to go out, winning the gold medal,” Bird said.
Cynthia Cooper, the first Hall of Famer from the WNBA, coach Bob Hurley of St. Anthony’s High School in New Jersey and Lakers owner Jerry Buss also were inducted. Dennis Johnson, former Baltimore Bullets star Gus Johnson and Brazilian Maciel “Ubiratan” Pereira were enshrined posthumously.
