SPRINGFIELD, Mass. -- Allen Iverson wants to thank the haters, too.The former Philadelphia 76ers point guard said he will save time in his Basketball Hall of Fame induction speech to mention the people who criticized him throughout his career, explaining that they are also responsible for molding the player that earned a spot in the Springfield shrine.Even the ones that were negative in my career, obviously to try prove them wrong was a motivation, he said Thursday after arriving late to a pre-induction press conference. I had to overcome what they said about me. I had to overcome all that to be wearing this (Hall of Fame) jacket right now. The naysayers, they helped me, too.An 11-time All-Star, Iverson averaged 26.7 points and 6.2 assists in his 14-year NBA career. But he was also a polarizing figure in a league struggling with racial issues, with his tattoos and cornrows and embrace of a hip-hop culture that was at odds with the corporate image the NBA wanted to project.A dozen years after Michael Jordan joined the league and established himself as its greatest player -- and greatest pitchman -- Iverson was a different kind of star.When it came to basketball, obviously I wanted to me like Mike. Doesnt everybody? Iverson told reporters on Thursday during a media availability for the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame Class of 2016. But I didnt want to talk like him. I felt it was enough being who my mom loved.Funny at times and emotional at others, Iverson acknowledged that he made mistakes, attributing many of them to entering the league as a 21-year-old with the expectations of a historic franchise on his shoulders. Listing former Philadelphia stars like Julius Erving, Moses Malone, Billy Cunningham and Bobby Jones, Iverson lamented having to come in there and fill all those shoes -- when I was only a size 10 -- and those guys are greats.I was a puppy, he said. All the mistakes I was making, I didnt even realize I was making mistakes. I was poor all my life. Then all of the sudden you put your John Hancock down and youre rich. I still dont know. In the aftermath of being an NBA player, Im still learning ... Im still finding my way.Also scheduled to be inducted on Friday night are Shaquille ONeal, Yao Ming, Sheryl Swoopes, Tom Izzo and Jerry Reinsdorf. Posthumous honorees include 27-year NBA referee Darell Garretson; John McLendon, the first African-American coach in a professional league; Cumberland Posey, who also is in the Baseball Hall of Fame; and Zelmo Beaty, who led Prairie View to an NAIA title in 1962.Iverson, 41, said his induction will be a proud moment for his fans, and all the people that are waiting for A.I. to get a chance to say `He did what you never thought he could do.Thats a great feeling for me, he said. For all the barbershop talk, the ones that supported me can always say, `This guy was immortalized by being a Hall of Famer.Questions about Iverson persisted right up until Thursdays news conference.Iverson was a no-show at the 2 p.m. ceremony where inductees were presented with their Hall of Fame jackets. Its unusual for an inductee to miss the event; even posthumous honorees are usually represented by a family member.Players were ushered upstairs to a function room to answer reporters questions shortly after 3 p.m., and ONeal soon launched into an imitation of Iversons notorious Practice? speech.Its the basketball Hall of Fame. I dont know how you miss this, ONeal said. Im going to get my jacket AND my ring.Iverson arrived at about 3:30 p.m., sliding into a Naismith Orange Hall of Fame jacket and taking a seat at his table. Asked about the delay, Iverson said it involved a personal situation; family.Thats the first thing you want to know about me, man? he added. Why cant it just be good news? Luka Doncic Mavericks Jersey . Ryan Garbutt had a goal and two assists as Dallas snapped a six-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. Dwight Powell Jersey . LOUIS -- Lance Lynn was one of the more enthusiastic participants as the St. http://www.mavericksteamofficial.info/kostas-antetokounmpo-mavericks-jersey/ . Traditional contenders Brazil, Greece and Turkey drew the other three spots to complete the 24-team field for this summers tournament in Spain, basketball governing body FIBA announced Saturday at its meeting in Barcelona. Steve Nash Mavericks Jersey . Philadelphia is 2-0 against the Senators this season and scored five goals in each victory. The Flyers recorded a 5-0 win in Ottawa on Nov. 12 and then earned a 5-2 home decision on Nov. 19. The Flyers have claimed three straight and four of the last five encounters with the Sens overall and Philly has won two in a row and three of its past four tests in Canadas capital city. Steve Nash Jersey . -- Charlie Graham stopped 67 shots as the Belleville Bulls edged the visiting Guelph Storm 6-5 on Saturday in Ontario Hockey League action. LOS ANGELES -- The call that Jose De Leon has been waiting for all season finally came.The 24-year-old pitcher will make his big-league debut on Sunday for the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Diego Padres.De Leon was 7-1 with a 2.61 ERA in 16 starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City while limiting opposing batters to a .194 average. He struck out 111 batters against just 20 walks this season.After getting the news, De Leon shared it with his parents, who quickly made plans to arrive in Los Angeles on Saturday night.They were really happy, he said. They were crying and jumping all over the place. It still hasnt hit me.With the Dodgers rotation plagued by injuries, De Leon couldnt help but wonder when his turn would come to join the big-league club. He watched as four other rookies were brought up, including Julio Urias who proved reliable in the Dodgers fight to protect their slim division lead over San Francisco.I needed to be here in Los Angeles this year, De Leon said, because I wanted Vin Scully to call my game.Scully, the 88-year-old Hall of Fame broadcaster, is retiring at seasons end after a record 67 years in the Dodgers booth.The team hasnt indicated how long De Leon might stick around, although the right-hander has extra innings to spare after missing most of April and May with an ankle injury and shoulder inflammation.Ive been throwing strikes and attacking the zone. Every night I go out I just try to improve something, he said. Keep it simple and not try to do too much, I think tthats the key.ddddddddddddDe Leon was taken 24th in the 2013 draft out of Southern University. His first season in Rookie ball was a harsh introduction, with De Leon posting a 6.96 ERA. The following year, he improved enough to break Clayton Kershaws low Class-A Great Lakes single-game strikeout record with 14. He was promoted to Class-AA Tulsa last year.He looks like hes in great shape, and hes on a roll right now, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. Just to see that youthful enthusiasm that weve seen from a lot of our guys this year is pretty cool.De Leon last pitched on Aug. 28 for Oklahoma City against Colorado Springs, allowing four hits in 7 2/3 scoreless innings. He struck out a season-high 13 and had no walks. Before being promoted, he hadnt allowed a run in 17 2/3 innings and had 10 or more strikeouts in his last three starts.He began the season ranked as the 24th overall prospect in the majors by MLB.com and the Dodgers No. 3 prospect.Roberts was asked who his favorite Puerto Rican player is.Well, if he throws well ..., the manager said, smiling and his voice trailing off.De Leon typically goes to the movies on days he pitches as way to combat nerves. With Sundays day game, he wont get that chance.Its going to be my dream, he said. Ive had this dream since I was a kid. Its going to be really emotional, I know that, but Ill just try to keep focused and enjoy the ride. ' ' '