A Comprehensive Overview of the 2025 Hall of Fame: Anthony Howard’s Touching Speech and LeBron James’ Emotional Tribute to Kobe

On September 7th, 2025 (Beijing time), the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame held its induction ceremony, officially welcoming Anthony, Howard, the 2008 USA Men’s Basketball Team, coach Donovan, Heat owner Allison, female players Moore, Sue Bird, Fowles, and referee Danny Crawford as members.

Anthony

Introduced by: Wade, Iverson

Speech Highlights

“I guess now all those doubting voices should finally shut up!” Anthony said this as dog barking sounds played in the background, causing the audience to burst into laughter.

Memorable Quotes

“Brother, now we’re both in the Hall of Fame, and this is just the beginning. When you feel lost, just stay true to yourself.”

“This Hall of Fame moment belongs to this island (referring to Puerto Rico, where Anthony has heritage and has long supported local basketball development), it belongs to all of us.”

“I’ve received cheers and faced doubts. They said I was just a scorer who couldn’t lead a team to victory, that I was too loyal, then not loyal enough... They never saw those lonely nights, those unseen struggles, but I never stopped moving forward, always holding on to my faith. What drives me — my original intention — is far more important than myself.”

Career Highlights

Anthony is a 10-time NBA All-Star, 6-time All-NBA Team member, and part of the NBA 75th Anniversary Team. His illustrious achievements span college, professional, and Olympic careers. His single season at Syracuse University was legendary. As a freshman, he was one of the top recruits nationwide, ranked either first or second depending on the source. That season, he won nearly every imaginable award, averaging 22.2 points and 10 rebounds per game, leading Syracuse to a national championship.

In 2003, Anthony was selected third overall in the first round by the Denver Nuggets, where he continued to excel in the NBA. Over 19 seasons with the Nuggets, Knicks, Thunder, Rockets, Trail Blazers, and Lakers, he averaged 22.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per game. Although he never won an NBA championship, Anthony represented the USA in four Olympics, earning numerous honors. He holds the USA team’s single-game scoring record with 37 points, ranks second in appearances, and is one of only three players, alongside LeBron James and Kevin Durant, to have won four Olympic medals.

Howard

Introduced by: Shaquille O’Neal, Patrick Ewing, Dominique Wilkins, Bill Laimbeer, Dennis Rodman (absent)

Speech Highlights

During Howard’s speech, the broadcast cut to a close-up of LeBron James, prompting cheers from the crowd. Howard joked, “Oh, did I just wake a beast? Lakers fans are here, okay, I salute the Buss family and the Ramsay family for always supporting me! LeBron is here, LeBron James is present, thank you for coming!”

Memorable Quotes

“Dad, when I was 10, I said ‘I know I can be the number one NBA draft pick.’ Mom, Dad, your son is now in the Hall of Fame!”

“Shaq, we didn’t always see eye to eye in the past, but looking back, it was just ‘brotherly competition.’ In this basketball brotherhood, we are brothers; sometimes brothers argue over trivial things... But I want everyone to know, today both ‘original supermen’ are here, and having you walk with me into this great hall is a true honor.”

Career Highlights

In the past 25 years, no traditional center has been more dominant than Howard besides Shaquille O’Neal. In 2004, Howard jumped directly from high school to the NBA, being selected first overall by the Orlando Magic, becoming a double-double machine. He is the only player in NBA history to win Defensive Player of the Year three consecutive times, an 8-time All-Star, 8-time All-NBA Team member, and 5-time rebounding leader. He is perhaps best known among casual fans for his dunk contest performances, winning the 2008 contest with his stunning “Superman” dunk.

Howard’s career had ups and downs until his second stint with the Lakers, where he finally achieved his ultimate goal by winning the championship in the 2020 Orlando bubble. He also earned a gold medal with the USA team at the 2008 Olympics, known as the “Redeem Team.”

2008 USA Men’s Basketball Team

Introduced by: Jason Kidd, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Rob Pelinka, Boeheim, Mike Krzyzewski

Touching Moment

The Dream Team Eight was inducted as a team; 11 of the 12 players appeared on stage, with the only absence being the late Kobe Bryant. The crowd chanted Kobe’s name, creating a deeply moving atmosphere!

On-Site Highlights

Kidd humbly described his role on the USA team: “I might have been the captain, but I felt more like the water and towel boy...” LeBron immediately interrupted, “Don’t say that... He’s never lost a game on the international stage, never!” Records show Kidd played 46 games for the USA team with a perfect 46-0 record, a 100% winning percentage.

Interview Quote

LeBron spoke about Kobe joining the 2008 USA team: “I think Kobe’s addition was the missing piece for the USA to reclaim dominance. He brought an atmosphere of ‘extreme focus’ — he kept all of us on edge. We all knew that once he committed fully, there was no room for slacking off; Kobe would never tolerate that.”

“That made Paul, Wade, Anthony, and me even more focused. We wanted to prove to him that we could reach his level. It was an honor to play alongside him. I was only 23 then, and having him as a teammate was rare. He had already won an NBA championship, the level I constantly aspired to reach... We all wanted to match Kobe’s standards and make him proud.”

“When that Olympic journey ended, and we stood on the podium holding the gold medal above our heads, I was certain we had done it — we had made him proud.”

Team Achievements

Led by general manager Rob Pelinka, the 2008 USA Men’s Olympic Basketball Team restored America’s prominent position in global basketball. Pelinka rebuilt the squad by securing long-term commitments from NBA players. The team went undefeated 8-0 at the Beijing Olympics, winning gold with an average margin of victory of 27.9 points per game.

The 12-man roster included Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul, Jason Kidd, Deron Williams, Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, Dwight Howard, Tayshaun Prince, J.R. Reed, Carlos Boozer, and Chris Bosh, coached by Hall of Fame coach Mike Krzyzewski. After a bronze medal in 2004, this team was called the “Redeem Team” and defeated Spain 118-107 in the gold medal game to complete their redemption.

Micky Arison

Introduced by: Alonzo Mourning, Pat Riley, Dwyane Wade

Memorable Quote

Arison joked: “In 2010, when Wade, LeBron, and Bosh joined the team, we knew we were going to win. We thought ‘not just one championship, not just two’... but in the end, we only got two.”

Career Highlights

Since acquiring the Miami Heat in 1995, Arison has led the team to three NBA championships (2006, 2012, 2013) and seven Eastern Conference titles. Under his leadership, the Heat have featured many legendary players, including Hall of Famers Ray Allen, Chris Bosh, Tim Hardaway, Alonzo Mourning, Shaquille O’Neal, Gary Payton, and Dwyane Wade, as well as current stars LeBron James and Jimmy Butler. With Arison as owner, Pat Riley as team president, and Erik Spoelstra as head coach, the team is renowned for its stable culture and outstanding achievements.

Billy Donovan

Introduced by: Chicks, Rick Pitino

Memorable Quote

Donovan thanked legendary coach Pitino: “He taught me to give my all, taught me the true meaning of competition, and showed me what it really takes to win... So, Coach, thank you.”

Career Highlights

Donovan is a two-time NCAA national championship-winning coach who achieved unparalleled success during his tenure at the University of Florida (1996-2015). He led the Florida Gators to back-to-back national titles in 2006 and 2007 and reached the Final Four four times. Across his time at Florida and Marshall University (1994-96), he amassed over 500 wins.

After college success, Donovan moved to the NBA, coaching the Oklahoma City Thunder (2015-20) and Chicago Bulls (2020-present), achieving over 400 wins. A former point guard under Hall of Famer Rick Pitino at Providence College, Donovan was named Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year three times and was inducted into the College Basketball Hall of Fame in 2016.

Maya Moore

Introduced by: Lindsay Whalen, Swin Cash, Tamika Catchings, Augustus, Oriema

Memorable Quote

“Championship culture isn’t just about sports; it permeates all aspects of life — in our families, schools, and communities. These places are the true measures of whether our legacy of winning truly exists. We need to find a way to meet everyone’s needs without sacrificing anyone’s dignity.”

Career Highlights

Four WNBA championships, two Olympic gold medals, two NCAA championships, two European league titles, WNBA MVP, WNBA Finals MVP, six WNBA All-Star selections, five WNBA All-First Team honors, WNBA Rookie of the Year, member of the WNBA 20th and 25th Anniversary Teams.

Remarkably, Moore achieved all these accolades within just eight years of her professional career. Thus, she won championships in half of her WNBA career span.

Having accomplished nearly everything possible in basketball, Moore retired in 2019 to focus on criminal justice reform. Though initially considered a hiatus, she never returned to the court and officially retired in January 2023. Throughout her career and afterward, Moore became an outstanding activist, helping secure the release of a man — now her husband Jonathan Irons — who was wrongfully convicted of murder and freed after serving 22 years of a 50-year sentence. In August 2024, the Minnesota Lynx retired Moore’s number 23 jersey.

Sue Bird

Introduced by: Oriema, Swin Cash

Memorable Quote

Bird thanked her teammates: “Finally, I want to say something point guards don’t often say... thank you for the assists!”

Career Highlights

From college to professional leagues, few female basketball players are as recognizable as Bird. She is a four-time WNBA champion and two-time NCAA champion. Bird’s career longevity — spending all 21 WNBA seasons with the Seattle Storm — is unmatched. She is the only player in WNBA history to win championships in three different decades and, in 2022, became the oldest player to complete a full season at age 41. She holds the record for most WNBA appearances (580 games), is the all-time assists leader with 3,234 assists, and ranks ninth in total points scored.

No one has been selected to more All-Star games than Bird, and she ranks second in three-point field goals made. Although she never won MVP, without her leadership, the Storm wouldn’t have won their four championships.

Sylvia Fowles

Introduced by: Lindsay Whalen, Katie Smith

Memorable Quote

“To the Minnesota Lynx: wow, we did it!”

Career Highlights

In WNBA history, only two players have won Defensive Player of the Year four or more times: Tamika Catchings (5 times) and Fowles (4 times). Over her 15-year career, Fowles became one of the league’s most dominant centers. She ranks second all-time in rebounds and fourth in blocks. She is a two-time WNBA champion, two-time Finals MVP, league MVP, 11-time All-Defensive Team member, and 8-time All-Star.

She was a regular on the USA women’s Olympic team, winning five gold medals. On the Minnesota Lynx championship teams, she formed a powerful trio with Moore and Seimone Augustus. Fowles’ number 34 jersey was retired by both Louisiana State University and the Minnesota Lynx.

Danny Crawford (did not speak on stage)

Introduced by: Isiah Thomas, Tim Hardaway

Career Highlights

Over a 32-year career (1985-2017), Danny Crawford was one of the NBA’s most respected referees. He officiated over 2,000 regular-season games, 300 playoff games, and 30 NBA Finals games. He was assigned to NBA Finals games for 23 consecutive seasons, including his last game — Game 5 of the 2017 NBA Finals. Crawford also officiated many significant events, such as the 1992 Dream Team’s first Olympic game and multiple NBA All-Star games. Before reaching the NBA refereeing stage, he worked as a referee in the Missouri Valley Conference.