What they’re saying about Hall of Famer Maurice Cheeks

On Friday, Thunder assistant Maurice Cheeks will be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame. Here's what some of the most-respected names in basketball had to say about Cheeks:

Bob Ryan, former Boston Globe columnist: “To me he was the perfect point guard. If a point guard is supposed to run a team, facilitate for everybody, score when necessary, defend and lead … and everybody needs him … I want to say in an unobtrusive, personal manner, that was Maurice Cheeks. There was nobody better at it. Nobody.” Billy Cunningham, former Philadelphia 76ers coach: “As you know, Maurice is very quiet. After a year or two, after the postseason, I said ‘Maurice, you need to step up and take more control of this team. You’re the point guard, you’re the guy.’ … ‘Gotcha.’ That was probably the length of the conversation. He went back to Chicago and he played in the summer league. But this is how smart he was: he found the youngest team in the league in Chicago so he was playing with young college kids. It forced him into a position

where he was the one they looked to, where he had to devote his leadership.” Gregg Popovich, San

Antonio Spurs coach: “Maybe I go back too far, but he was one of the greatest of all-time. He had not just the skills at the point to do what he did for that number of years, but he was one of the most steady, cerebral kinds of guards. His demeanor was always perfect. He never got high. He never got low. He put the team exactly where they needed to be. He always knew the situation. He was a winner and competitive as well and a great guy at the same time. I’m thrilled for him.”

Cunningham: “Maurice, he was a dream. You’re talking about having a wonderful young man to be around. Hopefully the players there in Oklahoma City understand how special. I’m sure coach (Billy) Donovan would want to see more of Maurice rub off on all of the players, because Maurice Cheeks when he stepped on the court, he couldn’t care less if he scored a point, 20, whatever it was, as long as we won the game."