The NBA Legends Brunch honored Bird, Catchings, Rose, and Miller, among others.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Jalen Rose broke down in tears, Reggie Miller gave a hug to his erstwhile rival Spike Lee, Tamika Catchings was overcome, and Larry Bird is now formally recognized as a legend.
As always, the NBA Legends Brunch was not lacking for moments.
The brunch — held on Sunday before the All-Star Game and one of the tougher tickets to get over the course of the weekend — brought together more than 150 former NBA and WNBA players and some of the greatest ever like Julius Erving, Dominique Wilkins and Oscar Robertson.
Bird received the Legend of the Year award, Catchings received the Pioneer Award, Rose got the Bob Lanier Community Impact Award and Miller won the Hometown Hero Award.
“I have not hit a jump shot in more than 30 years and here I am,” Bird said after taking the stage. “Come on.”
Her father, former NBA player Harvey Catchings, introduced her to the legendary Indiana Fever player Catchings. He related anecdotes of how she would always want to play, how she wouldn’t settle for a game ending in five points, and how he would never allow her to win.
“I come standing here today because of all of you and being able to watch my dad and emulate him,” Tamika Catchings stated. “We used to hang back there when he was in practice, and I would pretend to be Dr. J, Harvey Catchings, and the late Bob Lanier. Larry Bird, please hurry up. I have to be everyone of you. And as I got older and emulated your game, I developed my own.”
Rose related, with tears in her eyes, how, when he was in the fourth grade, he was riding in his mother’s 1979 Chrysler and saw a hole in the floorboards. He claimed that was the instant he decided to reach the NBA in order to succeed.
“I will always remember telling my mother that I will make it to the league. I swear,” Rose murmured. “I swear, I’m going to be Dr. J. And Dr. J is now aware of my name.”
Lee gave Miller his trophy while he was wearing orange and blue, the colors of his favorite team, the New York Knicks, who Miller and the Pacers frequently harassed. most renowned for his eight-point performance by Miller.
