HALL OF FAME 2008 |
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Ewing, Olajuwon, Riley Headline HOF Class
Back in 1994, the New York Knicks, led by Patrick Ewing at center and Pat Riley at head coach, took Hakeem Olajuwon's Houston Rockets to seven games before bowing out in the NBA Finals. Fourteen years later the trio was reunited as peers entering the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as members of the Class of 2008 on Friday in Springfield, Mass. Fifteen-year NBA pro Adrian Dantley, Detroit Pistons owner Bill Davidson, longtime college basketball analyst Dick Vitale and Immaculata University Women's coach Cathy Rush round out the class announced on Monday at a news conference in San Antonio, TX prior to the NCAA's Men's Division I Championship game. A Finalist needs 18 of 24 votes from the Honors Committee for election into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The Class of 2008 was enshrined during festivities in Springfield, MA on September 4-6, 2008. Check out news around the web about the Class of 2008 and read John Hareas' blog for a recap of all the action from Springfield. Also, take a look at Friday's press conference photos and ceremony gallery.
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HAKEEM OLAJUWON |
PATRICK EWING |
PAT RILEY |
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Hakeem Olajuwon led the Houston Rockets to back-to-back NBA championships in 1994 and 1995, was named NBA MVP in 1994 and was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. Olajuwon still holds the NBA record for blocked shots (3,830) and is the only player to record more than 3,000 blocked shots and 2,000 steals in a career. |
Patrick Ewing, a 17-year NBA player, was an 11-time All-Star, two-time Olympic gold medalist, three-time collegiate All-American and totaled 24,815 points and 11,607 rebounds during his pro career. |
Pat Riley is a three-time NBA Coach of the Year and currently ranks third on the all-time wins list in NBA history behind Lenny Wilkens and Don Nelson. Riley has five titles as a coach, four with the Lakers and one with the Heat and is a member of the NBA's Ten Best Coaches of All-Time. |
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ADRIAN DANTLEY |
BILL DAVIDSON |
DICK VITALE |
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Adrian Dantley, a 15-year NBA pro with seven different teams, was a six-time All-Star, won a gold medal with the 1976 Olympic team and was also Rookie of the Year in 1977. His 23,177 career points still ranks 23rd all-time in the NBA. Info: Bio | Career Stats Photos: Dantley's Career Hareas: What took him so long? Video:
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William "Bill" Davidson has been an owner of the Pistons since 1974 and the WNBA Shock since 1998. His Pistons have garnered three NBA titles to go along with two WNBA championships for the Shock. Davidson was elected to the Hall of Fame as a contributor. Info: Bio Photos: Davidson's Career Pistons.com: Davidson's In Video:
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Dick Vitale, a former high school, college and professional basketball coach, was elected to the Hall of Fame as a contributor for his successful run as a color commentator on the college game. Video:
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Hakeem Olajuwon:
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