Tonight we gather to induct two great big men into the Hall of Fame. One was known for his offensive ferocity, the other for his defensive tenacity. First, Steven Hunter. Hunter was known as the immovable force down low because of how many shots he impacted. The all time leader in blocked shots and fourth all time in rebounds, Hunter was a stalwart on the defensive end of the ball. He had the hardware to prove it as well, winning Defensive Player of the Year three times and making 9 Defensive teams, 6 of them First Team. He could turn around a defense by his presence alone, but he was also known to score at times, averaging 17 points a game at his peak. Hunter was always known as a strong locker room presence and a leader, and it is those things and many more that make him a fitting member of the Hall of Fame.
Lastly, we bring in a man who was originally overshadowed in his draft class. But Chris Bosh made sure no one could overshadow him for long. Bosh retired as the second leading scorer of all time, scoring 26 points a game over the course of his career, including 5 straight seasons of over 30 points a game. He won the Most Valuable Player three times and made the All Star Team 10 times, and ended as a First Team Player 8 times. He also was formidable on the defensive end, making three total All Defense teams. Over a long career he made each team better, including the Minnesota Timberwolves, who he played with on three separate occasions. Bosh will always be remembered as one of the best players to ever play basketball. Welcome to the Hall of Fame, Chris Bosh.
Thank you, and good night.
