According to the rules of the Naismith Basketball Memorial Hall of Fame, new basketball inductees are required to choose a basketball legend who is already in the Hall of Fame to act as their introducer and introduce themselves to the night of the inducted speech.
Fast forward to 2009, when "Basketball God" Michael Jordan was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. At that time, he chose to introduce his boyhood basketball idol, David Thompson, also from north carolina university and enjoying "Skywalker".
Recalling this incident, David Thompson once said that he was very honored and proud, after all, this is the greatest respect and respect for jordan, the god of basketball. Because throughout his career, David Thompson and Michael Jordan have had very little intersection. At the most important ceremony after retiring, Jordan used the most card-like way to express his gratitude to this legend who invisibly influenced him many times, and told the world in a wide-ranging manner: David Thompson, but Michael Jordan's idol!
When Jordan became a Hall of Famer in 2009, it meant he was qualified to become a Hall of Fame player as a future introducer. It is of course an honor to be Jordan's Hall of Fame sponsor, and it is also a very popular thing to be introduced into the Hall of Fame by Jordan. So, which NBA players were inducted into the Hall of Fame by Michael Jordan?
First, Scotty Pippen
Pippen is jordan's junior in the bulls and the best partner in jordan's career. As meritorious players who participated in the whole process of the Bulls' six crowns in the 1990s, Pippen and Jordan formed the world-famous "Blood Double Horn" combination, personally pioneering the organization of forwards in the style of the ball, and the image of an all-round warrior was rooted in the hearts of generations of fans.
In 2010, Pippen was inducted into the Hall of Fame, and Jordan, who had just been inducted into the Hall of Fame the previous year, served as Pippen's introducer. It should be said that jordan's experience of serving as a Hall of Fame sponsor for the first time to his long-time comrade-in-arms and old friend Pippen is a natural thing, and the two are selected for the Hall of Fame a year apart is also the best arrangement.
Recalling Jordan as his Hall of Fame sponsor, Pippen once said: Michael is my best partner and mentor, and if someone can stand on the stage with me at the same time to share the spotlight, there is no doubt that he is!
By the way, Rodman, one of the former "Bull Iron Triangles", was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2011, and the Bull Triumvirate was inducted into the Hall of Fame. However, in the Hall of Fame referral, Rodman chose the former coach Phil Jackson, who enjoyed the reputation of "Zen Master".
Second, Kobe Bryant
In April 2020, NBA legend Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash, was officially inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. For a legendary superstar & global sports icon of Bryant's level, being inducted into the Hall of Fame is actually an honor for the Hall of Fame.
As for who is the most suitable or qualified to be a Kobe Bryant Hall of Fame referral? The answer is that Kobe Bryant has wanted to catch up with or even surpass Jordan the flyer throughout his career. In terms of technology and competitiveness, Kobe Bryant is quite close to Jordan. In terms of friendship, the two legendary quarterbacks who are a generation apart are also very good personal friends, and Jordan has long regarded Kobe Bryant as his little brother.
So, on the night of last year's Hall of Fame, we saw Jordan tearfully read out the introduction of Kobe Bryant to the Hall of Fame, and then introduced Kobe's widow, Vanessa, to replace the late Kobe Bryant in reading the acceptance speech.
Iii. Tony Kukoc
At the recent induction ceremony for the 2021 Class of Fame members, Jordan appeared with Bulls owner Jerry Lawnsdorf as the Hall of Fame introducer to today's Bulls Super Sixth Man Tony Kukoc.
Tony Kukoc, from Croatia, who walked the international players' tunnel to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, can be relatively lower in the NBA's achievement requirements. However, looking back at the achievements of this jade-faced handsome player who once enjoyed the reputation of "Jordan of Europe", it is actually quite remarkable. As the strongest substitute for the Bulls' last three-game streak, Tony Kukoc has a flamboyant and all-round style that helped the team win three championships.
After Jordan's brief absence in the vacuum, Zen master is willing to let Pippen play a key game in the playoffs to open the sideline ball to Kukoc to execute the kill; after the disintegration of the Bulls Dynasty, the boss is willing to let Kukoc play the boss of the transition period, which is enough to be the best witness to the extraordinary strength of this benevolent brother. When Jordan was invited to be his Hall of Fame introducer, Kukoc's charm was once again verified.