Michael Jordan's 2009 Basketball Hall of Fame Moment

(image source: NBA.com)

Finally, his Airness has taken his rightful spot amongst the greatest legends on the hardwood, ever. Many have called Michael Jordan the greatest basketball player of all time, and on Friday, September 11th, 2009, he was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Jordan's career made the #23, the Chicago Bulls and finesse basketball all part of the art form. His greatness extended from beyond the hardwood floors but to pop culture and mainstream commercials such as McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Gatorade, Nike and others. MJ and his symbolic Jumpman logo became a iconic household symbol. Air Jordans by Nike became a status symbol, and basketball became the game everyone wanted to play. All thanks to inspirational players which included Michael "Air" Jordan.

The ceremony Friday night had to be moved from the traditional Hall of Fame venue to a bigger-capacity Symphony Hall which accommodates around 2,600 people. Jordan's Hall of Fame speech in Springfield, MA, was full of quips, comments and recollections of what made him the elite basketball player he became. He discussed being cut from his high school team in the 10th grade, and being restricted from appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a college freshman. Jordan also put everyone one notice "There's not going to be another Michael Jordan".

"You guys are constantly trying to find that next Michael Jordan," Jordan said. "First of all, you didn't find me. I just happened to come along and next thing you know, here I am."

Amongst Jordan's fellow Hall inductees were David Robinson, John Stockton and current Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. Jordan was presented by another basketball legend and UNC alumni, David Thompson.

Of course the internet was also buzzing about Jordan's girlfriend, Yvette Prieto. Reportedly, Michael and Yvette, a 30 year old Cuban model, have been dating since 2008, with the duo rumored to be getting married soon. See a picture of the couple here. For years, Jordan had been married to Juanita, with the couple divorcing in 2002 due to "irreconcilable differences". Much like MJ's retire-return to the court career, the couple came back together, then officially ended the marriage in 2006. The couple has three children, sons Jeffrey Michael and Marcus James, and daughter, Jasmine.

Jordan joked at one point that he still loves the game and you just might see him one day playing in basketball shorts at age 50. The crowd laughed, but Jordan told them to:

"Never say never, because limits, like fears, are often just an illusion."

While Jordan may have been joking during his suggestion of a possible third un-retirement at age 50, most fans are content with what Jordan has already given to the sport for many years. His legacy lives on as current players continue to hold their own careers up to Jordan's.

A key closing moment of Michael Jordan's Hall of Fame speech discussed exactly what the game meant to him:

"The game of basketball has been everything to me," Jordan said. "My refuge. My place I've always gone when I've needed to find comfort and peace. It's given me my most intense pain and my most intense feelings of joy and satisfaction."

Read more about Jordan and the Hall of Fame at Google AFP News

Jordan Headed to Hall of Fame

(It's time...)

Michael Jordan is a six time NBA Champion, five time NBA MVP, won two Olympic Gold Medals and an NCAA Championship at University of North Carolina. Add to that multiple scoring titles, many all-star game appearances, retirement-comeback stories, taking a swing at a baseball career, playing ball with Bugs Bunny, lucrative endorsement deals as well as his own status as a CEO and brand. Now Jordan's impressive basketball resume has lead to him being named one of 16 finalists for the 2009 Hall of Fame. Was there any doubt?

A few of Jordan's Dream Team buddies have also been nominated. Former San Antonio Spur, David Robinson, one of the league's best assist-men in John Stockton (Utah Jazz), and sharpshooter Chris Mullin (Golden State Warriors) all were included as Finalists. Former Celtics great Dennis Johnson was nominated as were NBA Coaches Don Nelson and Jerry Sloan, and women's coach C. Vivian Stringer. The 16 finalists made a cut from 164 total choices.

According to Google News Associated Press:

Other finalists include former Golden State coach Al Attles, who was nominated as a contributor; Bob Hurley Sr., who has more than 900 wins at St. Anthony's High School in New Jersey; Vladimir Kondrashin, who coached the Soviet Union to the 1972 Olympic gold medal, defeating the U.S. in a controversial final; Pereira "Ubiratan" Maciel, a player known as "The King" in his native Brazil; Richie Guerin, a six-time NBA All-Star with the New York Knicks and a former player-coach with the St. Louis and Atlanta Hawks; and Johnny "Red" Kerr, a longtime Chicago Bulls commentator who was named NBA Coach of the Year in 1967 after leading the expansion Bulls into the playoffs in their first season.

The announcement of who gets in this year will be made on April 6th at the NCAA Final Four in Detroit. The official enshrinement comes September at the Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachussetts. While all 16 finalists can officially get elected are there any doubts over names like MJ, Stockton, Mullin, Bernard King and The Admiral making it?

Charles Barkley DUI Arrest

NBA Hall of Famer and current TNT NBA Analyst, Sir Charles Barkley, was arrested on New Years Eve (12/31/08) morning for a DUI in Arizona. The arrest was made by the Gilbert Police Department at a DUI Checkpoint when Barkley ran a stop sign. Barkley was blood tested on scene by mobile DUI task force and released from custody just a short time after the arrest, calling a taxi to pick him up. According to reports, Barkley told the cops he ran the stop sign due to the fact he was in a hurry to have sex with a female companion.

According to TMZ.com:

According to the officer who wrote the report, "He told me that he ran the stop sign because he was in a hurry to pick up the girl I saw get in the passenger seat."

The officer continues: "He asked me to admit that she was 'hot.' He asked me, 'You want the truth?' When I told him I did he said, 'I was gonna drive around the corner and get a b**w job. He then explained that she had given him a 'b**w job' one week earlier and said it was the best one he had ever had in his life."

Also according to the reports, the police impounded a handgun found in Barkley's vehicle, but there's no word on whether it was legal or not. Not sure if he needed it, but it's good that Barkley has D-Wade in his Fave 5 speed dial for that one call you get at the station to have someone bail you out.

See Photos of the Barkley arrest from TMZ.com

In Honor of Magic Johnson

Today, Love & Basketball NBA blog honors Magic Johnson, All-star, Hall-of-Famer and American hero.

Seventeen years ago to the day, a bombshell announcement was made that shocked not only the NBA world, but the world in general. Lakers guard and All-star player, Magic Johnson, informed the World that he had contracted HIV. The shocking news was delivered with his wife Cookie nearby, who was carrying an unborn child. It was announced that both Cookie and the child did not have HIV, but the fact that a sports hero had it was unfathomable at the time. The news brought quick allegations that Magic was homosexual, and it actually helped to change the stereotype that AIDS/HIV were only contracted by homosexuals. ESPN named Magic's revelation as the 7th most memorable moment in sports, and US President George Bush proclaimed Magic was a "hero". Other players might become discouraged and angry, or even try to hide the news, but Magic overcame the adversity and used it as away to inspire others.

Magic made an early retirement due to having HIV as well as possible concerns from the league and other players. Again due to stereotypes, not too many people were educated on how HIV or AIDS were contracted. There were some concerns over whether or not you could contract HIV from someone else's blood, for example should Magic start bleeding during a game. Despite the retirement, Magic was voted an All-Star by fans in 1992 and ended up being named MVP of the All-Star game. A memorable moment had him and Isiah Thomas embracing on the court.

Magic went on to also be part of the legendary Dream Team in the 1992 Olympics which won Gold. During his time there, he played very little due to knee problems. He still received many ovations from the crowd, and used it as a platform to try to motivate other people with HIV. Magic attempted a comeback in 1992-93, but after several preseason games and practices he put that idea to rest, citing controversy over his decision from some active players. He chose to write a book on safe sex, start running business ventures and touring Asia/Australia with a team of former NBA players.

In 1993-94, Magic took on the role of coach of his beloved Lakers, but after losing his first 6 games, he hung that up, and purchased a 5% stake in the team. Another comeback attempt ensued in 1994-95, with Magic at age 36. He played in the final 32 games of that season averaging about 15 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds. The Lakers lost in Round 1 of the playoffs to Houston and Magic decided to retire from the NBA permanently.

Magic Johnson is a true testament to sportsmanship, health and humanity. He's shown the triumph of human spirit to overcome his adversity, to continue living each day as if it's his last, and to cherish all that's good in his life. Magic continues to work as an analyst and correspondent at TNT, and owns several businesses today including movie theaters and TGI Fridays. He's been inducted into Basketball's Hall of Fame, has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and continues to educate and assist the fight against AIDS/HIV through his Magic Johnson Foundation.

Official Magic Johnson Foundation Website

Magic Johnson Wikipedia

The Latest Basketball HOF Inductees

The 2008 basketball Hall of Fame inductees have been announced. This year's class includes a well-known coaching legend, a very recognizable voice in college basketball, a Detroit owner and several all-star legends from NBA past.

There will be 3 former NBA stars heading to the hall this season. First up is Hakeem "the Dream" Olajuwon, who racked up several titles while with the Houston Rockets. He also achieved several NBA accolades including all-star appearances and the 1994 MVP award. The impressive rebounder, scorer and defender Hakeem finished out his career in a back-up center role for the Toronto Raptors.

Joining Hakeem is one of his familiar foes from the paint, Patrick Ewing. Ewing was a long-time star for the New York Knicks, who never quite achieved title fame. Ewing excelled at the center position but never could quite surpass those pesky Chicago Bulls' squads. However, Ewing racked up plenty of great stats, all-star appearances and All-NBA team nods. He also has served as part of the Houston Rockets' coaching staff. Both Hakeem and Ewing were included as members of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History.

A former coach of Ewing's is the legendary Pat Riley, who will also be introduced into the Naismith Memorial HOF. Riley coached both the Los Angeles Lakers (showtime era) and Miami Heat to achieve several titles during his continued career. Despite a poor season this year in Miami, Riley continues to be one of the best coaches in the game, and has plenty of playoff and regular season victories to show for it. In addition, he's a 3 time Coach of the Year award winner.

Three members being inducted into the hall have ties to Detroit. There's former all-star Piston, Adrian Dantley, as well as 85 year old Pistons & Shock owner, Bill Davidson. Davidson achieved sports titles with 3 different pro sports teams in 3 different leagues (three with the Pistons, two with the Shock and one with the NHL's Tampa Bay Lightning) They will be joined by Dick "Awesome with a capital A Baby!" Vitale, who anyone who watches college basketball has definitely heard. Vitale brings an unmatched excitement and exuberance to the games while fulfilling his commentator role with ESPN during the entire NCAA season. He also was the Detroit Mercy (1972-77) and Pistons coach (1978-79).

The final inductee of the current class is coach Cathy Rush, a women's basketball pioneer. The official induction ceremony takes place September 5th in Springfield, Massachussetts.

See the official website for the Basketball Hall of Fame for more info.

Phil Jackson a 2007 HOF Inductee

Phil Jackson and Roy Williams were among seven inductees for the Basketball Hall of Fame this past Friday.

From sportsnetwork.com:

"Jackson, a coach of nine NBA championship teams with the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, and Williams, who guided North Carolina to the 2005 NCAA crown, were joined in this year's class by the 1966 NCAA champion Texas Western team, four-time WNBA championship coach Van Chancellor, referee Mendy Rudolph and international coaches Pedro Ferrandiz and Mirko Novosel.

Jackson won six NBA titles with the Bulls and three with the Lakers, tying him with Red Auerbach for the most NBA crowns as a coach. The North Dakota native was also the fastest coach to win 900 games following a professional career that saw him play for the Knicks and Nets. He was a member of New York's NBA title team in 1973."

Congratulations to legendary NBA coach, Phil Jackson, as well as all the other recent inductees. Read the full story here.