When Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame chairman Jerry Colangelo called former Los Angeles Lakers Showtime-era legend Michael Cooper on April 1 this year to inform him he had made the Hall, the 1987 Defensive Player of the Year was convinced he might be the victim of an April Fool's Day Prank,

Defense -- not offense -- was Cooper's calling card, and it helped the Lakers claim 5 NBA titles during the 1980s. Steve Aschburner Michael Cooper reflects on wanting to continue giving back to the game he's loved since he was a child. • Get NBA League ...

West is the first to be a three-time inductee; Cooper welcomed for contributions to “Showtime” Lakers championships.