Viewing details for OKC Thunder assistant coach Maurice Cheeks enshrinement ceremony

OKC Thunder associate coach and former player Maurice Cheeks enters the Basketball Hall of Fame via the 2018 enshrinement ceremony this evening.

Asked how he felt when he got the news he was getting inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame Maurice Cheeks answer was shouldn’t surprise. It was reflective of the former player and current coaches character and playing style – simple, efficient and to the point: “surreal”.

Having missed out on previous occasions Cheeks wasn’t expecting the call, but was honored when it finally came. Ever classy,  the OKC Thunder assistant coach credits the people he was surrounded by and the situations he was in. He notes his numbers aren’t what jump off the page and emphasizes how important the impact of a player is on winning is more relevant.

This theme resonates in Cheeks’ philosophy as a coach and mentor. He’s become known as the  Westbrook Whisperer as I mentioned a few weeks ago. Witness any interaction between the pair and it’s clear how much Russell Westbrook respects Cheeks.

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For a player who for many seasons was deemed standoffish the fact Westbrook has an almost family type bond with Cheeks speaks volumes about the qualities and abilities of Cheeks.

Although Cheeks played during an era when stats weren’t the focus there are many similarities between Westbrook and Cheeks in terms of how competitive they are.

Cheeks has NBA Royalty presenting him:

Inductees select Basketball Hall of Fame members to present them on stage. This is the main attraction of the weekend where the inductees are presented and then speak to the assembled audience of peers, family and media.

Cheeks selected basketball royalty and former teammate Julius Irving (Dr. J)  and former coach Billy Cunningham to present him. .

The other 12 members of the 2018 Hall of Fame Class are:

This year’s class has a strong Phoenix Suns focus featuring several former star players. IG

rant Hill and Jason Kidd who were drafted in the same season and shared co-Rookie of the Year honors fittingly enter the hall together.

• Ray Allen
• Lefty Driesell
• Grant Hill
• Jason Kidd
• Steve Nash
• Dino Radja
• Charlie Scott
• Katie Smith
• Tina Thompson
• Rod Thorn
• Ora Mae Washington
• Rick Welts

Where, when and how to watch:

Where: Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, in Springfield, Massachusetts.

When: Friday, September 7

Times and T.V. viewing details:

Leading up to the enshrinement ceremony the inductees, presenters, peers and family will arrive.

• NBA TV will run an hour long Hall of Fame Red Carpet Show. This show will air from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. EST,.
• Immediately following this the Enshrinement Ceremony will air on NBA TV from 7:00 p.m until 10:30 p.m. EST
• NBA Game Time running immediately afterward and likely featuring many segments from the enshrinement ceremony. .

Check back with Thunderous Intentions tomorrow for the highlights from the enshrinement ceremony and from Maurice Cheeks speech.