It’s that time of the year again! While we go deep into the regular season, the NBA has also announced the recent inductees of the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Carmelo Anthony, Sue Bird, Dwight Howard, the iconic 2008 U.S. Olympic team, and the Miami Heat owner Micky Arison. While many may have been surprised with Arison’s name, his Hall of Fame induction was long due. Unlike other NBA team owners, owning the Heat was never a business for Arison. “This is a hobby of passion,” Arison said in 2013, “it’s not a business.” Having produced legends like Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, this Hall of Fame nod feels like a full-circle moment. But just as the Heat family basks in celebration, a surprise story emerges—an NBA icon revealing a 30-year-old debt still owed to Arison.

After the NBA announced the 2025 batch of Hall of Fame inductees, Arison shared a message that felt more personal than celebratory. “When my father Ted Arison brought the Heat to Miami… he did it because he thought it was best for Miami. This recognition isn’t just about my journey—it’s about everyone who helped build the Heat. And I know we’re not done yet,” Arison added. His humility defines how well he has led the franchise for over three decades now. Adding more to the celebration, the Lakers legend Magic Johnson shared a decades-old anecdote that defines his friendship with the Heat owner.

See, Johnson—a lifelong Laker—may have never crossed paths with the Heat owner in the NBA, but the Lakers legend has always respected Arison. Even last year when the Heat named their court after Pat Riley—who revolutionized the Heat along with Arison, Johnso was the first to not only congratulate Pat for his remarkable contribution to the Heat but also thanked Arison for this thoughtful gesture. Notably, Johnson has played under Riley for over 12 years during his Lakers days. And now, a year later, when the NBA honored Arison with HOF induction, Johnson could not help but share how he is still indebted to the Heat owner.

Magic remembered being aboard Arison’s yacht during the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. He recalled, “The air conditioning went out while we were out there and Micky just brought in his second yacht.” Johnson said the experience “was life-changing for me because it helped me to think and dream bigger.” That trip made Magic think and dream on a bigger scale. He still feels “indebted to him” for opening his horizons.

In another tweet, Magic wrote, “I personally want to congratulate a great friend of mine Miami Heat owner Micky Arison on being inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.” He praised Arison for helping the NBA grow “on and off the court – including financially, with rule changes, and by growing the game globally.” That kind of impact, both on and off the court, is rare. This message from Magic was personal. It showed how much he appreciated Arison and how it indirectly caused his growth in the court as well.

Magic Johnson’s nod to 2025 Hall of Fame class Carmelo Anthony

Did Carmelo Anthony need a championship to prove his greatness? Most fans would say no, and now, the Hall of Fame agrees. This week, the NBA world got the news: Carmelo is officially part of the 2025 Hall of Fame class. Magic Johnson was quick to react, posting, “I want to congratulate former NBA superstar Carmelo Anthony on being elected to the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame!” It’s a nod from one legend to another, and honestly, it felt right.

Think about it: how many players led their college team to its only national title as a freshman? Melo did that with Syracuse. In the NBA, he scored over 28,000 points and earned ten All-Star selections. He made the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team, too. If one thing that can be said to be missing it would be the championship ring on his finger. Well, even without it, his impact went way beyond trophies.

And what about his time with Team USA? Melo won three Olympic golds and once stood tied with Durant as Team USA’s most decorated player. Whether he wore a Nuggets, Knicks, or Lakers jersey, you always knew when he was on the court. His game had that smooth, effortless style that made tough shots look easy.

Still, it’s surprising that he was never named to the All-NBA First Team. But do those lists capture the whole story? With career averages of 22.5 points and 6.2 rebounds, Melo did more than enough to earn his place in the Hall.

So here’s the real question: Was it ever about the ring? Or was Carmelo Anthony always meant to be a legend, with or without one?