It's now official: Meet the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2014.
Leading the list is former NBA Commissioner David Stern, and former Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat player Alonzo Mourning. Other player inductees include Nat Clifton (New York Knicks, Harlem Globetrotters), Mitch Richmond (Golden State Warriors, Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards, and Los Angeles Lakers), Guy Rodgers (Golden State Warriors, Chicago Bulls, Cincinnati Royals, and Milwaukee), and Sarunas Marciulionis (BC Statyba, Golden State Warriors, Seattle Supersonics, Sacramento Kings, and Denver Nuggets). The coaches who made it were Nolan Richardson (Western Texas College, Tulsa, and Arkansas), Gary Williams (Boston College, Ohio State, and Maryland), and Bob Lenard (Indiana Pacers). Immaculata University belongs to the outstanding class under the team category.
After being the NBA Executive Vice President from 1980 to 1984, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2014 member Stern took the helm as NBA Commissioner in 1984 until 2014. He made significant changes to the league in his three decades of leadership. Among these was the formation of NBA Draft Lottery. With him at the controls, the number of NBA teams grew from 23 to 30. His profile was not picture-perfect because some of his decisions were criticized. However, the growth of NBA in the past 30 years is something that makes him deserving of the honor - without raising any doubt.
Stern gave his thanks to those who supported his vision. He focused his speech not to highlight his performance as an NBA commissioner - or himself - but on the organization itself.
Mourning played for Charlotte Hornets and Miami Heat. He started his NBA career with Hornets in 1992 but played as a Heat for most of his career. Five years after his debut, he was a member of the All-NBA First Team. He also became an All-Star Game player for seven times. Mourning earned the Defensive Player of the Year award twice in his career. He also donned the national jersey in the 2000 Summer Olympics, where he received a gold medal for being part of Team USA.
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2014 member Mourning gave credit to his teachers, coaches, and his foster mother. He also acknowledged his doctors who made things possible for him.
