Live Blogging the 2007 Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement

Last but certainly not least, as he was saved for last by the planners of the event is Philip. Philip being of course Phil Jackson of the Chicago Lakers and the Los Angeles Bulls (ha!). Now Philip, aka the Zenmaster, takes the podium as the last inductee of the 2007 class.

Mini-controversy brewing? One of the Texas Western players took exception to a previous comment by Roy Wiliams. I do not know if he was joking or not.

Next up is the 1966 Texas Western team, enshrined as a team, for not only their basketball feat and but also for the sociopolitical impact of their achievement. The events are chronicled in the movie Glory Road. One of the players, David Lattin chronicles this in his book From Dunk to Glory

The ceremonies are running longer than expected, clearly this is going to last longer than the two hours alloted.

New humanitarian award bearing the name of Harlem Globetroters boss Mannie Jackson is given to 2nd best shot-blocker of the NBA Dikembe Mutombo. Among others, Big John (John Thompson), Zo (Alonzo Mourning) and ... Bill Clinton (among others) are singing his praises in a video tribute. Mutombo did not show up for the ceremony because he is in South Africa participating in a Basketball Without Borders. But he pre-recorded a video acceptance speech.

Next in is zebra (referee) Mindy Rundolph, who passed away in 1979 with a video tribute with NBA superscout Marty Blake, Bill Russell and Jerry "The Logo" West talking among others. West says: "you can't coach judgment"

A video tribute to Red Auerbach of the Boston Celtics just aired.

Ole Roy is welcomed to the Hall of Fame by Dean Smith and Larry Brown. Ole Roy mentions the crying part, that's why he wrote his speech. He has five minutes, there's no way he's not gonna cry!... Ole Roy goes through his life and career, and makes special mention of the 1966 Texas Western team... There we go, his voice is breaking! Roy is about to cry! - when talking about his older Kansas teams. Now he is composed again. But the tears are coming!. But he did it, he did not break down into full-blown tears!

Mext up is Ole Roy, aka Roy Williams with video praises sang by Dean Smith, Billy Cunningham, Michael Jordan, Kirk Hinrich, Larry "crazy" Brown, Sean May and more. Ole Roy ain't that good? He is Hall of Fame good!

The camera catches the Carolina posse sitting together and near by: Dean Smith, Larry Brown and Sean May. This during the acceptance speech fo Yugoslavian coach Mirko Novosel, famous for turning Cibona Zagreb (sp?) for a European powerhouse team.

Al McCoy the 35 year voice of the Phoenix Suns (Shazaaaaam!) earned the Curt Gowdy video award. Malcolm Moran (sp?) won the print award (fishwrap writer). Zack Sanders (sp?) (former Celtic) won the Bunn lifetime achievement award.

During the commercial break, in a PSA, NBA players are urging the audience to get tested (testing411.org - multimedia heavy website!)

A video tribute to Hall of Famer Paul Arizin who died in 2006 is now airing.

Someone who looks like Jay Bilas is spotted by the camera. Not sure if it is Jay Bilas.

Lou Carnesecca and former FIBA boss Boris Stankovic are singing the praises of Spanish basketball coach inductee Perro Ferrandiz. He is introduced by Lou Carnasecca and CM Newton. No subtitles but there is a translator on-hand. It's not a live translation though, the "translator" is reading from paper. So he could be telling dirty jokes and no one would know ;-)

Current Hall of Famers attending the ceremonies are recognized: Bob Cousy, Phil Sherman (sp?), James Worthy, Lanette Woodard (sp?).

And a TV programming note for ESPN Classic: Right after the Hall of Fame Enshrinement event ends, a 60 minutes on Classic will feature Kobe Bryant and Phil Jackson. After that, a 60 minute edit of the 1966 NCAA final between Texas Western (now UTEP) and Kentucky. That will be followed at 10pm EST / 7pm pacific with a 90 minute edit of the 2005 NCAA final between the Bruce Webber Fightining Illini almost-undefeateds and Ole Roy's North Carolina with May, Felton and Moody Blues lead singer McCants.

Next up, two European coaches are enshrined: Perro Ferrandiz (brought the fast break to Euroball and building a 15-year empire in Real Madrid of Madrid in the 60s and 70s) and Mirko Novosel (Yugoslavian coach)

Now they are showing a feature with Roy Williams and Van Chancellor visiting local schools and talking to kids.

Meanwhile I am taking bets!, will Roy Williams cry and if so, how early? Will he make it past his speech without crying?

First up is women's basketball coach (both college, WNBA, and Team USA) is Van Chancellor. Pat Summit is walking him in the Hall of Fame. Van Chancellor currently has the podium telling us stories from his career.

Mike Breen (not to be confused with Star Trek Deep Space Nine Breen) is the event announcer. Russ Granik takes the mike as the chairman of the board of trustees.

The presentation starts with a short visual introduction of the seven peopleteams entering the Basketball HoF (Hall of Fame) this year

Right now, live on ESPN Classic and NBA-TV with Andre Aldridge hosting along with Walt Frazier (was roomies with Phil Jackson at one point) and former Ole Roy player Paul Pierce. The Class of 2007 will join all the others in just a couple of hours! I hope the NCAA doesn't get upset because I'm liveblogging while sitting in front of hte TV and the computer ;-) It's the same broadcast on NBA-TV and ESPN-Classic, so you are not missing anything if you have one but not the other.

Check my older post playing a game of Hall of Fame IN or OUT - before the inductees were announced

Newer posts will appear on top (reverse chronological order)