SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) — Billy Crystal, an esteemed actor and devoted basketball fan, recently received recognition for his loyalty to the Los Angeles Clippers, a team not typically celebrated in the annals of basketball history. Upon receiving a ring at the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, he humorously remarked, “How strange to be getting a ring before any of the Clippers.”
Crystal was honored in a ceremony held on Sunday as he was inducted into the Hall of Fame’s prestigious James F. Goldstein SuperFan Gallery, alongside prominent figures like filmmaker Spike Lee and businessman Alan Horwitz. Although legendary Lakers fan Jack Nicholson was also being inducted, he was unable to attend the event.
As part of the ceremony, Crystal donned a stylish sports jacket and slacks, while Lee and Horwitz opted for outfits reminiscent of courtside attendees. Lee sported an orange Knicks vest over a New York sweatshirt and topped it off with a black Knicks bucket hat. He playfully engaged with fans, even mimicking a classic moment at Madison Square Garden when he remarked on the sight of “Boston Celtic green.” Lee showcased his enthusiasm further by presenting coach Red Holzman’s 1973 NBA championship ring, a significant relic from the Knicks’ last title victory.
Reflecting on the team dynamics, Lee expressed optimism as he declared, “It’s been a long time, but I think this year it’s going to be orange-and-blue skies.” Meanwhile, Horwitz, who is affectionately known as the 76ers’ Sixth Man, wore his pride on his sleeve with a 76ers sweatshirt, a blue cap, and blue-and-white sneakers. Overcome with emotion, he reminisced about how proud his mother would have been to see him honored.
The fan journey for these three spans over five decades. Horwitz recalls watching the Philadelphia Warriors during Wilt Chamberlain’s rookie season in 1959. Crystal’s own basketball journey began a couple of years earlier when he developed a fondness for Larry Brown, who later became a revered coach in both college and the NBA.
Lee was present at Madison Square Garden when the Knicks clinched their first championship in 1970. Crystal, who started as a Knicks fan, shifted his allegiance to the Lakers after moving cross-country, but eventually found himself enjoying Clippers games. “And I said, ‘Why?’” he recalled, though he soon became a steadfast supporter of the Clippers, despite their lack of championships to date.
Lee, who has held season tickets since 1985, especially after the Knicks drafted Patrick Ewing, spoke about the journey to claim his prime seating at the games, humorously adding, “Every film I moved down.” While Lee exudes optimism for a championship run this season, Crystal remains realistic about the Clippers’ prospects, yet both agree on the unwavering dedication shown by fans over the years.
The passion of these loyal fans can often be palpable, as Crystal pointed out, interrupting his speech when the sound of a crying baby broke through the venue. “That’s how we felt for the last 30 years,” he joked, capturing the sometimes painful experience of being a devoted fan in the face of adversity.
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