It was only a few hours ago when another chapter was added to the history books. Six NBA players, who dominated the basketball court during tenures that lasted decades, received the ultimate honor of being inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.
With Miami Heat legend Dwyane Wade sitting in the audience, anticipating the moment that he would receive the merit, a former point guard and fellow inductee took to the stage to pay tribute to the player in a speech that sent ripples of laughter through the audience.
Tony Parker highlights his brother’s love for Dwyane Wade
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The official Twitter handle of the NBA recently uploaded a video. It highlights Tony Parker taking his place on the stage and establishing his presence as one of the ?23 Hoop Class? inductees. The moment took place only a few days after the 16x NBA All-Star made headlines after hosting a celebratory pool party.
Starting off his speech, Parker provided his thanks to the ?Board of Class 2023?. Stating his connection with the other inductees, the four-time champion took a moment to call out each and every one of them.
Tony Parker on the connections he holds with his fellow #23HoopClass inductees 🧡
📺: The #23HoopClass Enshrinement is live on NBA TV pic.twitter.com/2Blkc22Hsq
— NBA (@NBA) August 13, 2023
He started off with Kobe Bryant?s ?Hermano? and Los Angeles Lakers star Pau Gasol. Parker highlighted their time as teammates as well as their ?Spain vs France? rivalry. Moving on to former Dallas Mavericks athlete Dirk Nowitzki, Parker mentioned how he was there during Nowitzki?s ?Jersey Retirement? ceremony and called him ?a great friend?.
The crowd broke into applause as the Spurs star turned his attention towards Dwyane Wade. Remembering how the duo faced off against each other in two NBA finals, Parker stated that Wade was his little brother?s favorite player. This appreciation was there despite the fact that there was already an NBA player in the same house.
?So every time he would come to the house and (my brother) be like ?DWAAYNNE WAAADEEE? like all the time,? said Parker during his speech. It sent the crowd and the 13x NBA All-Star into bouts of laughter. ??Can you stop it, you?re my own brother.?
Parker ended his mention by stating that since the Spurs won against Wade and Co once, which helped in smoothing things down.
Parker pays tribute 9 years after NBA triumph
Notably, Parker and Wade faced off in back-to-back NBA finals in 2013 and 2014.
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The Miami Heat were able to secure the championship title first by defeating the San Antonio Spurs in 4 out of 7 games. The dominating force of the ?Big Three? (Wade, LeBron James, Chris Bosh) proved to be effective.
Parker and his teammates, however, prepared for the next meetup. Boasting a deep roster, the Spurs were able to defeat the two-time defending champions by winning 4 out of 5 games. The victory ensured Parker?s title of a four-time NBA champion.
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Parker may be jealous of the fact that his brother is a bigger fan of the Heat Legend than the NBA player who is his own kin. He does, however, know to provide credit where it is due.