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Basketball Hall of Fame: Best moments and takeaways from enshrinement of Class of 2020

Yash Matange

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Basketball Hall of Fame: Best moments and takeaways from enshrinement of Class of 2020 image

The Basketball Hall of Fame Class of 2020 will go down as one of the greatest to have ever been inducted. 

Headlined by all-time NBA greats in Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and the late Kobe Bryant, it also included the likes of NBA Champion Rudy Tomjanovich, WNBA Champion Tamika Catchings, coach Eddie Sutton, Kim Mulkey, Barbara Stevens and Patrick Baumann. 

Here's a look back at some of the biggest moments as the class got enshrined into the Hall of Fame: 

Kevin Garnett

Presented by Isiah Thomas (Hall of Fame Class of 2000), Garnett is considered one of the most passionate and intense players to have played in the league. 

MORE: Remembering Kevin Garnett

As he concluded his speech, in a beautiful moment, he tipped his hat off to the fellow NBA members of this class in Duncan and Bryant. 

"I wanted to say Timmy, thank you man. Congratulations to you and Kobe. Seriously, there was nothing epic but when we battled. I looked forward to all the battles and I thank you for taking me to another level."

Here's a look at his full speech:

Tim Duncan

Duncan, considered among the greatest power forwards of all time, played all of his 19 years in the league with the San Antonio Spurs under head coach Gregg Popovich. 

There was no way Pop, still the head coach of the Spurs, was going to miss Duncan's enshrinement despite the Spurs having a game to compete in and the 3-time Finals MVP showed him love in a heartfelt moment.

"You're an exceptional person. Thank you for teaching me about basketball but even beyond that, teaching me all that is not about basketball."

In San Antonio, there was always a lot of roster continuity. It was just the nature of the franchise and whether it was David Robinson, his presenter, or Tony Parker or Manu Ginobili, Duncan also shouted out his teammates from the Spurs that played a role in his success with the team. 

MORE:  The numbers behind Duncan's HOF career

Like Garnett, such is the tradition, Duncan also paid tribute to the fellow inductees.

“You are at your best when you face the best. Thank you to the late Kobe Bryant and KG. You brought the best out of me.”

However, unlike Garnett, Duncan wasn't one to show a lot of personality during his career and he made that very clear during his speech. 

“Been through Finals and Game 7’s. This the most nervous I have been in my entire life.”

Here's a look at his full speech:

Kobe Bryant

Recognized posthumously, the late Kobe Bryant's wife Vanessa took the podium while Michael Jordan was present beside as the presenter. 

As she spoke, she shared which one of his accomplishments was Bryant most proud of. It wasn't the five championships, the two Finals MVP, the league MVP honour or even the Oscar. 

“Kobe’s most cherished accomplishment was being the very best girl dad.”

MORE: Vanessa delivers powerful HOF speech remembering Kobe

Here's a look at her full speech:

Tamika Catchings

With a stacked WNBA resume, Catching was one of three in the 2020 Class that was nominated from the Women's Committee. 

The most touching part of her speech was when she shared how basketball helped her overcome multiple odds in her path to the Hall. 

"Basketball chose me. An awkward, lanky, introverted, tomboy born with a hearing disability, a speech impediment and a will to overcome obstacles, dream big and to change the world."

Here's a look at her full speech:

Rudy Tomjanovich

One of two coaches in the Class of 2020, Rudy Tomjanovich will forever be remembered for his legacy with the Houston Rockets including his two championships as a coach but more so for his iconic quote - "Don't ever underestimate the heart of a champion."

In his speech, he paid tribute and thanked the great city of Houston.

Here's a look at his full speech:

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Yash Matange

Yash Matange Photo