By 
Los Angeles Lakers legend Kobe Bryant was inducted posthumously to the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on Saturday, as the class of 2020 was enshrined after months of delay due to the Covid-19 pandemic.The five-time NBA champion died last year aged 41 in a helicopter crash alongside his daughter and seven others, shocking the world of professional sport and sending his legions of fans into mourning.Bryant’s widow Vanessa, who started dating Kobe when she was 17, offered an acceptance on his behalf as presenter Michael Jordan stood nearby.
“Dear Kobe, thank you for being the best husband and father you could possibly be,” she said. “Thank you for never giving up on us. Thank you for all of your hard work.”
Meanwhile Steph Curry clinched the second NBA scoring title of his career after tallying a game-high 46 points in the Golden State Warriors’ 113-101 win over the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday.Curry, who last won the title back in 2016, ended the regular season with a 32.0-point scoring average, edging out the Washington Wizards’ Bradley Beal who finished on 31.3.At 33, Curry is the oldest scoring champion since Michael Jordan, who achieved it at age 35 during the 1997-98 season.”I had a lot of good looks all night,” said Curry, “We were in sync. The guys set great screens for me.”
The 18-time All-Star joined the NBA straight from high school and would go on to enjoy one of the most decorated careers in the history of the sport, claiming NBA Finals MVP honours twice and earning the adoration of fans for his larger-than-life persona.
Bryant, the fourth-highest scorer in league history with 33,643 points, grew up idolising the five-time league MVP Jordan and the two superstars’ careers overlapped by a handful of years.
“Kobe would thank all of the people who helped him get here, including the people that doubted him and the
people who worked against him and told him he couldn’t attain his goals … after all, he proved you wrong,” said Bryant, prompting a grin from Jordan.
Other honourees in the 2020 class included 10-time Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) All-Star and four-time Olympic gold medallist Tamika Catchings, 15-time NBA All-Star Kevin Garnett and three-time NBA Finals MVP Tim Duncan.
The ceremony at the Mohegan Sun Resort & Casino in Uncasville, Connecticut, was postponed from August 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic
Meantime Curry’s heroics helped his team claim the No. 8 position in this week’s play-in tournament, setting up a mouthwatering encounter with LeBron James’ LA Lakers on Wednesday.
Speaking ahead of the game, James praised Curry for his recent performances and explained why he thought his side was playing against this season’s MVP.
“Our paths have been crossed again. There’s always been a level of respect that’s even beyond the game of basketball,” James said.
“We get caught up in the records sometimes […] instead of saying who had the best season that year. Steph has had, in my opinion, the best season all year.”
Earlier this year, Curry became the Warriors’ all-time leading scorer, surpassing Wilt Chamberlain’s record that had stood for 57 years.
He has twice been named MVP in 2015 and 2016.
Curry couldn’t contain his excitement during Sunday’s game.
Elsewhere, the Utah Jazz beat the Sacramento Kings 121-99 on Sunday to finish the season with the best record in the NBA at 50-22.
It’s the first time in franchise history that the Jazz has finished the regular season with the best record, and head coach Quin Snyder says he’s proud of the achievement.
“As much as the accomplishment for me, you appreciate this group of men,” Snyder said after the game on Sunday.
“You appreciate the opportunity to coach them. You appreciate what they’ve accomplished in the regular season.
“I want them all to enjoy this moment because I feel like if we do that, that transitions us to the mindset we need to have to try to play well in the playoffs, to compete and execute. That’s what these guys have done all year.”
Comments