The Hall has called three of the NBA’s most iconic figures to its doors, and although the circumstances have made it tough to celebrate them in full, it’s the most star-studded, decorated class that will be enshrined in Springfield in some time.
Kobe Bryant’s star shined brighter and longer than contemporaries Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett, and dimmed lower through controversy. And through Bryant’s unfortunate death, his legacy has taken on a greater, more complete conversation — taking the place of what was sure to be a reflective, insightful and memorable headlining speech in September.
Even if these three players weren’t headed for induction in the same year, their stories and roads through basketball would be forever intertwined.