Transcript [00:03] jam to a startmoney came in and changed [00:06] the whole dynamic of the NBA. You're [00:08] currently watching what he started [00:11] >> together and the way they played. They [00:14] made each other. [00:15] >> Here comes Nash. He's got Amari to his [00:17] right. [00:19] >> Can't catch me. By the time the team [00:20] look up, I'm dunking THE BASKETBALL. [00:23] >> START TIME. [00:25] >> Amari's [music] an incredible pick and [00:26] roll partner. Amazing to see Mike and [00:28] Amari go in the Hall of Fame. Uh to go [00:30] in together even makes it more special. [00:32] >> Yeah. Cheers, coach. [00:33] >> Cheers, Amari. [00:34] >> To see both these guys going into the [00:35] hall tonight is truly a blessing. [00:37] >> Congratulations. [applause] [00:56] When you hear 7 seconds or less, what [00:58] comes to mind first? [01:00] >> Right now, can't find the basket. Here [01:02] is Nash to the spot. [01:05] >> Uptempo. [01:07] >> How they bonded together. [01:09] >> Game's tied. [01:11] >> Can't catch [music] me cuz by the time [01:12] the team look up, I'm dunking THE [01:14] BASKETBALL. TO START WHAMO TIME. [01:17] >> The individual athletic ability of [01:19] [music] each player. I mean, we talk [01:21] about Amari [01:22] >> needs Amari in put it away. [01:24] >> But Sean Marion, the guy was incredible. [01:28] >> Sean was our Swiss Army knife. You need [01:30] a screwdriver. Sean, you need a wrench. [01:33] [music] Sean, you know, Sean was Sean [01:34] had every tool in the toolbox. [01:36] >> Joe Johnson, I didn't realize until [01:39] about 10 years later, he shot 47% from [01:41] trees. [01:44] >> [cheering] [01:46] >> Quinton Richardson was a big bart. Yes, [01:49] the Phoenix Suns have won it. [01:51] >> Then Steve just made it go. [01:52] >> Pump fake into the lane. Beautiful dish [01:55] to Kurt Thomas. [01:56] >> There were times where third quarter you [01:58] see guys on their knees [music] huffing [01:59] and puffing and then it seemed like we [02:02] got them. [02:02] >> Suns went 11798 Suns. Oh wow. [02:20] Just want to make sure it's good. [02:22] >> So, we're just waiting for the phone [02:23] call. Got it. And u you know, obviously [02:28] overjoyed and honored [music] and and [02:30] then you start thinking about all the [02:32] people why you even got a chance to be [02:34] here. [02:35] >> Well, Brian is the one who really [02:37] suggested Mike being hired in the first [02:39] place. and he was having some success [02:41] obviously in Europe. He was about to win [02:43] the Italian title, but I asked him, "Are [02:45] you happy here or do you want to come [02:47] back?" Uh, and he said, "You know, my [02:50] son's at that age. I think it's time." [02:53] And I heard enough and he was hired as [02:56] an assistant. And after one year, we [02:59] made the move and made him the head [03:00] coach. And he thought [music] out [03:02] outside the box without a question. [03:05] >> Look at that. Don't have it here. Sean, [03:08] you're here with Kurt. [03:10] >> And those years were fascinating years [03:12] and it helped change the game. [03:14] >> GEORGE, JUST TALK. GOOD. GOOD. HEY, [03:17] JOEY. HEY, JOEY. Let me ask you. I got [03:20] to ask you a question. [03:22] >> Well, if I talk about you, then I start [03:24] to cry, too. [03:26] >> [laughter] [03:30] >> No, no, [03:31] >> just telepel [03:37] and the D Smith basketball hall of fans. [03:39] >> Congratulations. [03:42] >> All right, Chris. Congratulations. [03:43] >> It was the start of a positionalist [03:45] basketball if you ask me where, you [03:47] know, you had guards playing in the [03:49] front court and back court. You had [03:51] guards playing center. You had, you [03:53] know, it was just a exciting brand of [03:56] basketball. [03:57] >> His belief in the players, I think, uh, [04:01] really kind of set the stage for [04:03] everything. [04:04] >> I think he saw what I was good at and he [04:07] saw before the season started the way we [04:09] were playing down the basement of the [04:11] arena and he more than anything realized [04:14] like I don't have to implement a style [04:17] that the [music] rest of the league [04:18] implements. you know, we can play to our [04:20] strengths and you know, that takes a lot [04:22] of courage. He decided, we're going to [04:24] play different. We're going to play [04:24] smaller, faster. We're going to get [04:26] Steve the ball. We're going to space the [04:28] floor. We're going to run. And people [04:29] ask me, is it Steve make the go or, you [04:32] know, make He did, but it's also the [04:34] other players made Steve go. [04:36] >> Steve Nash going to pass that ball up [04:37] the court. And by the time this the team [04:40] scores, we're already at the rim. And we [04:42] were doing that the entire game. [04:44] >> When I arrived there, I came from a [04:45] team. We had the last record in NBA. [04:48] Coming to a team with the best record in [04:49] the NBA. They put so many smart players [04:52] together. We were able [music] to um [04:54] adapt to every team that we were playing [04:56] on the go on the fly. It was all Mike. [04:58] >> He wanted us to play fast. It required [05:01] an incredible amount of trust. Let us go [05:04] out there and play and not be over there [05:06] micromanaging from the sidelines. [05:08] >> Dan Tony came in and changed the whole [05:10] dynamic of the NBA. [05:13] >> You're you're currently watching what he [05:15] started. I snuck in and listened to a [05:16] little bit of your speech. [05:19] >> Pretty good. [05:21] >> You should say, "Hello, my name is [05:23] >> Hello, my name is [05:26] >> Congrats, Mike, on being one of the [05:28] newest inductees into the Nation [05:30] Basketball Hall of Fame." [05:31] >> Appreciate it. [05:32] >> I I should ask you how it feels. You [05:34] know, it's a cliche question [05:35] >> cuz everybody Anybody says it doesn't [05:37] feel good? [laughter] [05:38] >> His first full-time year, I think we [05:40] were 62 and 20. And I know we got some [05:43] remarks about our defense and things [05:45] like that, but I I approach it the way [05:48] Mike approached it is that if we're 62 [05:49] and 20, we were the best defensive team [05:51] 62 out of the 82 times. [05:53] >> You know, Alvin was instrumental. Phil [05:55] Weber was in Mike Alvaron. Then my [05:57] brother came on a little bit later, but [06:00] uh great coaching staff. And when you [06:02] have the players that you can trust, [06:03] which I did, especially in Steve or [06:06] Sean, all those guys, um [music] then [06:09] you have to let you can let them play. [06:10] And when they play, guess what? They're [06:12] really good. [06:13] >> Here comes Nash. He's got a marathon. [06:17] >> Do you have any regrets on [06:19] >> on how things ended in Phoenix? [06:22] >> Yeah. You know, looking back, I could [06:25] have stayed there rest of my career and [06:26] I've been happy. Um, but you know, at [06:29] the time, you make decisions when with [06:31] the information you have. I think I'm as [06:34] competitive as the players are. And when [06:36] we get beat, I am in the I'm in the [06:38] gutter. I am hurting. and uh you make [06:41] rash decisions and uh and you do things [06:44] that probably with retrospect I could [06:46] have uh waited and have been better but [06:50] uh you know then when it goes forward [06:53] when you do it then you're going to make [06:54] the best of your decision. I don't [06:56] regret anything in New York and LA and [06:57] then Houston. So it worked out for me. [07:00] Uh but uh yeah I could have done a [07:02] handle it betterach [07:06] [applause] [07:08] >> they called me. I was driving. I was [07:10] someone from the Hall of Fame committee [07:11] and I was ecstatic. I mean, I was I was [07:14] it was like a moment of time that was [07:16] paused for me. Everyone start calling. I [07:19] mean, my phone was blowing up. I mean, [07:21] texts [music] and phone calls and [07:22] voicemails, [07:24] um, Instagram. It was like all it was, [07:26] it was a lot to deal with and it took me [07:27] about 3 hours to [music] kind of cipher [07:29] through all the messages. [07:31] >> How's your family? [07:32] >> Uh, yeah, it was great. Mike Danton [07:34] obviously was the coach that coached me [07:37] in [music] Phoenix and New York. Uh [07:38] helped me to become the type of player I [07:40] am with that position as basketball [07:43] utilizing my full total package of skill [07:45] and to now be going into the Hall of [07:47] Fame with him [music] is is pretty [07:48] special. [07:49] >> All right, coach. So, we're here with [07:50] the Amongst Legends podcast. I wanted to [07:52] sit down with you because we have a lot [07:54] of history together. [07:55] >> Well, the reason I'm here is [07:58] >> maybe vice versa could be. You know what [07:59] I'm saying? He started when I started [08:01] his first year with the sons of my first [08:02] year [music] and just watching his [08:03] growth and just appreciating what he did [08:07] to get to this point. [08:08] >> Amare starter from Cypress Creek High [08:11] School or Orlando, Florida. [08:13] >> He was raw when he came from Florida and [08:16] but he was determined to be somebody [08:18] great. [08:21] >> The NBA's rookie of the year, Amari [08:23] Starttomire. [08:24] >> Amari had great hands. Uh you threw it [08:28] up there, he'd get it. who gives IT TO [08:29] STARTTOMIRE WHO STUFFS IT. [08:31] >> Omari's an incredible pick and roll [08:33] partner. [08:33] >> Nine points. Bounce pass. Starttomire. [08:36] >> I knew if I could get it to him before [08:38] the defense could react, it was someone [08:40] was getting dunked on [08:41] >> so many times that he would just [08:44] completely annihilate somebody at the [08:46] basket [08:49] >> with so much tenacity like you know, you [08:52] gota you gota you got to respect. You [08:53] got to love it. [08:54] >> He did it to Ying. [08:56] He did it to Ola Wakandi. [08:58] >> Bounces the ball. DEMAR WHO FLIES IN. [09:02] >> I JUST you pick a bunch of guys he was [09:04] just tomahawking. [09:10] >> He just dominated the game and then [09:12] [music] uh when you added a his jump [09:14] shot to the equation then he was almost [09:16] unguarded. [09:17] >> White startmire savage j. [09:22] >> All right. Here we go. See, but they got [09:25] the steak premium. So, [09:27] >> what uh talk to me what you want done to [09:29] it. [09:29] >> No, it's okay. [09:30] >> Feels good. [09:30] >> Yeah, feels good. [09:32] >> Looks good, too. [09:35] >> Feels nice. [09:37] >> Oh, guys. [09:40] >> You look at all the history, your [09:42] basketball history, the people that [09:44] meant so much to you throughout your [09:46] your your journey, and to try to [09:48] implement all that into one jacket, uh [09:50] wasn't easy, but uh it was it was a fun [09:53] process. I want to thank the nation [09:55] class hall of fame for being so gracious [09:58] to [09:59] select me as a hall of famer [10:02] >> was not easy you know he had to overcome [10:04] microfactoral surgery he had to overcome [10:07] detached retina [10:10] the gameari starter took a shot to the [10:13] head [10:13] >> that journey was a serious journey um [10:16] and sometimes it got [music] foggy right [10:19] you have these type of procedures um the [10:21] micro fracture you have no idea what [10:23] that even [10:24] detached retina. I had no clue what that [10:25] meant either. [10:26] >> You're right. He's looking at that eye. [10:28] >> My goals was to be the best player that [10:30] I can be despite going through all those [10:33] troubling issues when it came to injury. [10:35] >> When you can have that micro factor [10:37] surgery and then come back and and be an [10:39] allNBA guy, [music] that I think that [10:41] speaks volumes [10:42] >> to be able to come back uh show the the [10:45] mental fortitude that he had uh to be [10:47] able to overcome the the injury and and [10:50] be as efficient as he was for the rest [10:51] of his career. He fought through all of [10:53] that and um to end up here pretty good. [10:58] >> Cheers, coach. [10:59] >> Cheers. [11:22] The evolution of the modern NBA game [11:24] would not be complete without the [11:25] contributions of coach Danton. After [11:27] coaching professionally in Italy for [11:29] eight seasons, he brought that uptempo [11:31] [music] space and pace philosophy back [11:34] here to the states, helping redefine the [11:36] offensive strategy by emphasizing ball [11:38] movement and analytics. Look at him walk [11:40] gracefully across that stage. the [11:42] two-time NBA coach of the year and [11:45] assistant on the 08 and 2012 gold medal [11:48] winning teams. [11:51] PRESENTING HIS HALL OF FAME JACKET AND [11:53] RING ARE HIS WIFE LAUREL AND HIS SON [11:55] MICHAEL. CONGRATULATIONS, COACH. A [11:58] six-time all-star and earned all NBA [12:01] honors five times. He averaged more than [12:04] 21 points and eight rebounds for eight [12:06] seasons for the Suns and continued [12:09] [music] to be an opposing offensive [12:10] force for the New York Knicks, averaging [12:12] more than 20 points a game for three [12:14] additional seasons. Looking sharp as [12:17] always. Presenting his Hall of Fame [12:19] jacket and ring are his daughters Assada [12:22] Array, sons Elijah, Amari, and Baby Noah [12:26] is here. There's baby Noah looking so [12:29] cute. Congratulations to Amari Stamire. [12:34] [applause] [12:37] [cheering] [12:38] Congratulations [12:39] once again. [12:54] >> [music] [13:05] >> 7 seconds or less of my shoes right [13:07] here. [13:08] >> Wow. [13:13] [music] [13:14] >> Check this out. [13:16] >> Scroll action shots. [13:19] >> You can scroll after [13:20] >> big dog status. Look at the look at the [13:21] uh look at the look at the traps in the [13:23] in the in the You know what I'm saying? [13:26] That's when you know you're in the gym. [13:27] The squad [13:37] [music] [13:45] >> [music] [13:51] [music] [13:54] >> Welcoming Mike to the Hall of Fame are [13:57] Steve Nash, Rod Thorne, Bob Mcadoo, [14:00] Jerry Kangelo, and Amari Starttomar. [14:02] Let's hear it for Mike Danton. [14:10] >> [cheering] [14:14] >> Good evening everyone. Thank you to [14:17] Jerry Kangelo, Nay Smith Basketball Hall [14:20] of Fame for this profound and unexpected [14:23] honor. In Phoenix, we had incredible [14:26] talent. Sean Marian, Quinton Richardson, [14:29] Boris Dia, Raja Bell, Joe Johnson, Grant [14:32] Hill, and this guy, Amari Start. [14:36] Man, [14:39] man, Amari. Mari, you posterized so many [14:42] people. That's crazy. Then we signed [14:46] this long-haired Canadian soccer player, [14:48] Steve Nash. [14:50] Steve, I am proud that your two MVP [14:53] titles were one with the Suns. All of [14:56] you guys, all of you guys are the reason [14:58] why coaching is so rewarding. [15:01] Special thanks to my son's coaches, [15:03] Alvin Gentry, Phil Weber, Dan Danton, [15:07] Mark Avarone, and to Brian Kangelo and [15:10] Julie Fi, Rick Weltz for being [15:13] instrumental in building the success. [15:16] You know, it wasn't easy, but our [15:18] players and coaches had the courage to [15:20] embrace a different way of playing, and [15:23] together we influenced the game. Phoenix [15:26] also gave me a lifelong friendship with [15:29] this man, Jerry Kangelo. [15:32] Jerry, for more than 20 years, you've [15:34] been an advisor, friend. Thank you for [15:38] your guidance and generosity and your [15:41] remarkable ability to get us into [15:43] Bianca's Pizzeria. I appreciate it. [15:47] Also want to thank Jerry and Mike [15:49] Shasheski for giving me the opportunity [15:51] to coach with Team USA. You know, [15:54] winning Olympic gold medals in 2008 and [15:57] 2012 alongside some of the greatest [16:00] players in the world and coaches in the [16:02] world was an epic experience. [16:05] Tonight, we have a very large contingent [16:08] from the Phoenix Suns. Thank you to Matt [16:10] Ishb and the Suns organization for your [16:13] support. [16:14] You have a special organization in a [16:16] great city. We made the game a little [16:19] faster, a little brighter, and a heck of [16:21] a lot more fun. Luckiest man in the [16:24] world. Spend my life doing what I love [16:26] alongside people I love. Thank you. [16:38] [cheering and applause] [16:38] Welcoming Amari to the Hall of Fame is [16:41] the most spectacular entourage of the [16:43] evening. Steve Nash, Grant Hill, Tracy [16:46] McGrady, Rick Weltz, Jerry Kangelo, and [16:49] Mike Danton. Please welcome Amari Start. [16:53] [cheering] [16:56] >> I play for Phoenix Suns. I was drafted [16:58] by the great Jerry Kangelo. Rick Welch [17:01] was the president of operations at the [17:03] time. And playing for Phoenix as a [17:06] rookie was important for me as a high [17:08] school player growing up in Florida. You [17:11] know, you going to the NBA and it's a [17:13] different world. And to have an [17:15] organization that understood that and [17:18] really brought me in and and really mold [17:20] me as a basketball player helped me to [17:22] become who I am today. So, when I [17:23] entered the draft, had a pre-draft [17:25] workout with a couple of teams, worked [17:27] out in Phoenix, had a brilliant workout. [17:29] I felt great about that. and I was [17:31] drafted ninth to the Phoenix Suns uh as [17:33] a high schooler. And at that time, Jerry [17:36] Kangelo was the owner, Brian Kangelo was [17:38] the GM, uh Rick Welch was there. And so, [17:40] I was ready to try to take on this this [17:43] journey of of of the NBA as a high [17:44] schooler, a true high schooler. But when [17:46] I got to the NBA, I started learning the [17:48] game. All all the all the the the [17:52] players that was there before me, my my [17:54] my veteran guys, Penny Hardway, Tom [17:57] Gugli, Stefon Malberry, these guys that [18:00] were there my first year, I would ask [18:02] these guys questions. And I'm the type [18:04] player that's going to ask executives [18:06] questions. Also, I'm speaking to Eddie [18:08] Johnson who was a coloring commentator. [18:09] I'm talking to the team security, Kevin [18:11] Tucker. I'm hanging out with Scott [18:13] Williams. these older veteran guys that [18:15] would teach me how to be a professional [18:17] and how to really live and and and form [18:20] myself into a basketball player but also [18:22] into a professional. [18:24] I happened to play eight years in [18:26] Phoenix, became a five-time all-star. [18:29] The most important aspect that I can [18:31] give that I experienced, stay positive, [18:33] stay focused, stay meaningful, and [18:36] always keep in mind that perseverance, [18:38] no matter what one goes through, you can [18:40] persevere through anything. Thank you. [18:45] >> [applause] [18:46] [music] [18:51] [music] [18:56] [music] [19:08] >> The thing that I loved about Mari was [19:10] that he would always come in with just [19:14] some information. We'd be at dinner and [19:18] I'm meeting steak. [19:20] You know, he has this deep voice. Gi, [19:23] >> you know it took 8,000 gallons of water [19:26] [laughter] [19:30] to make that statement. [19:34] You cannot watch an NBA game today or a [19:38] college game today that does not have [19:42] the stuff that he brought to basketball [19:44] here in in the United States. Every [19:46] single game that's [applause] every [19:48] single game that's played. [19:50] Congratulations. Fantastic. [19:53] [music] [19:54] [applause] [19:56] >> Trying to drive on the reversal. We took [19:59] everybody by storm and to see both these [20:02] guys going into the hall tonight is is [20:04] truly a uh truly a blessing. [20:06] >> Amazing to see Mike and Amari go in the [20:08] Hall of Fame. Uh to go in together even [20:10] makes it more special that we can kind [20:11] of all come and support him and be [20:13] together. [20:14] >> Some great years when Mike was coaching [20:16] and Amari playing. Um so it's a it's a [20:20] feather in the cap of the Suns [20:22] organization. When you're in the moment, [20:24] it's [music] hard to really explain how [20:26] it really feels in that particular time. [20:28] I think when I look back at the [20:30] archives, look at the photos, [music] [20:31] then it's all going to really soak in [20:33] when I have time to decompress. [20:34] >> Players, fans, family got me here. So, I [20:39] owe him everything. [20:48] Come on. 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