Filmmaker Spike Lee, dressed head to toe in orange and blue gear, talks about his love for basketball and the Knicks to the packed crowd inside the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
Reminder Publishing photos by Trent Levakis
SPRINGFIELD — The rain could not dampen the spirit in Springfield on Sunday, Oct. 13 as some of the world’s biggest and brightest basketball stars shined in a gathering and celebration at Symphony Hall for the 2024 Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony.
Headlining the 13-member newly enshrined class of basketball royalty was Chauncey Billups, Vince Carter, Michael Cooper, Seimone Augustus, Doug Collins, Bo Ryan and Charles Smith.
Billups’ career apex came when he became an NBA champion with the Detroit Pistons in 2004, winning NBA Finals MVP in the upset series win over the Los Angeles Lakers. He was originally drafted by the Boston Celtics in 1997 but it was a short stint ias Billups would only play in 51 games before then Celtics Head Coach Rick Pitino infamously traded the rookie point guard.
This started a trend in his career of not having a permanent home as he would play for four teams over his first five seasons before finding his home in Detroit in 2002. Billups said during his speech it was this experience that led him to always keep the faith and the right team and situation would find him.
“The NBA franchise that loves me like family finally found me,” Billups said. “It was in Detroit where I became ‘Mr. Big Shot.’ It was in Detroit where I became known as a winner, which is all I ever wanted, and it it’s also in Detroit where that No. 1 jersey is hanging in the rafters. I never thought I needed a second home but in Detroit I have one.”
Carter’s career became one of historic length as he played in four different decades — the only player in history able to make that claim. Drafted in 1998, Carter played for eight teams during his record 22 seasons in the NBA and was one of the game’s most exciting dunkers ever.
Most notably, Carter won the slam dunk contest in 2000 with what is still considered one of the greatest dunk contest performances of all time. That same year, during the Summer Olympics in Sydney, Australia, Carter jumped entirely over a 7-foot, 2-inch center from France for one of the most iconic dunks in basketball history.
The high-flyer scored over 25,000 points in his career (21st all time) and became a fan favorite across the league through his slam dunks and connectivity to the game that lasted from the 1990s to 2020. Carter did not leave any doubt on which of the teams he played for that he wanted represented with him in the Hall of Fame.
“Without a doubt, I’m going into the Hall of Fame as a [Toronto] Raptor,” Carter said. Carter played seven seasons for Toronto.
While the weekend was also filled with many activities across the region in celebration of this year’s enshrinement, earlier during the day of enshrinement was another induction for the “SuperFans” of basketball at the Hall of Fame itself. This year’s class was headlined by superstar talents Billy Crystal and Spike Lee.
Crystal, being honored for his many years as a Los Angeles Clippers fan, shared many photos he has captured from his seats over the years at Clipper games. He said while the Clippers are famously known for disappointment and lack of success, being a fan of the underdog basketball team in LA has given him a connection that has translated to his experience living his life.
“It felt like you were in a small town with an underdog team that was really an underdog team,” Crystal said. “If you’re a fan and you love the team and you feel part of the community, you stay.”
Lee, as expected, was dressed head to toe in New York Knicks gear for the induction and he spoke about where his love for basketball and specifically the Knickerbockers began. He said he will always remember being a kid and experiencing the famous Knicks games at Madison Square Garden and predicted the upcoming season would finally be the one his team breaks their 50-plus year title drought.
“It’s been a long time, but I think this year it’s going to be orange and blue skies,” Lee said.
Lee earned his status as a super fan in thanks to his consistency on the MSG sidelines and also for his playful banter with players mid-game.
Also in attendance was Philadelphia businessman Alan Horwitz for his multi-decade spanning fandom of the 76ers. Horwitz called the Sixers his second family and was appreciative for the honor.
Acting legend Jack Nicholson was also inducted for his fandom of the Los Angeles Lakers but was not in attendance for the ceremony.
