Hall of Fame Class 2024-2025
Posted: Mon Feb 18, 2019 10:29 am
Good evening ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to Springfield, Massachusetts, the site of the Basketball Hall of Fame.
Tonight we honor two power forwards who exhibited excellence on a nightly basis. The first is a man who belongs for several reasons. The first of which is his excellent play. Carlos Boozer was an excellent scorer, going for over 20 points a game in 11 straight seasons, and in four of those seasons he also posted double digit rebounds. He made the All Star team 9 times and recognized as a top 15 player 6 times. But another reason for his fame is he was one of the first known players to turn down a five year max from his own team, spurning the Celtics and joining the Minnesota Timberwolves. He then went on to sign another 4 year max with the Milwaukee Bucks. One part of the game is on the court, and another part, just as important, is obtaining as much money as you can for your services. If Boozer is judged on that, he certainly belongs in the Hall of Fame. Ladies and gentlemen, Carlos Boozer.
Our next entrant has waited a long time to be inducted. Amar'e Stoudemire was seen as a can't miss prospect, going second in the 2002 draft. However, Stoudemire experienced several training camp setbacks. For some players, this would doom their legacy. To always be seen as good, but not as great as they could have been. Amar'e did not let this define him. He carved a niche for himself as a dynamic scorer and improved each year. He also contributed to two championship teams, including scoring 23.3 ppg on an insane .623 TS% during Philadelphia's championship run. He went on to unleash an insane 30ppg season with the Denver Nuggets and 28 a game during their deep postseason run. People may want to judge Amar'e based on what he could have been, but it is plain to see that judging him based on what he was is enough for him to be a worthy member of the Hall of Fame. Ladies and gentlemen, Amar'e Stoudemire.
Thank you and good night.
Tonight we honor two power forwards who exhibited excellence on a nightly basis. The first is a man who belongs for several reasons. The first of which is his excellent play. Carlos Boozer was an excellent scorer, going for over 20 points a game in 11 straight seasons, and in four of those seasons he also posted double digit rebounds. He made the All Star team 9 times and recognized as a top 15 player 6 times. But another reason for his fame is he was one of the first known players to turn down a five year max from his own team, spurning the Celtics and joining the Minnesota Timberwolves. He then went on to sign another 4 year max with the Milwaukee Bucks. One part of the game is on the court, and another part, just as important, is obtaining as much money as you can for your services. If Boozer is judged on that, he certainly belongs in the Hall of Fame. Ladies and gentlemen, Carlos Boozer.