It's an Honor

September 13, 2005

The month of September is usually not an action-filled nor huge newsworthy month for the National Basketball Association. However, this September has been very different. The aftermath of Hurricane Katrina has impacted countless lives across America; and, many people have donated their time and / or money to help those in need. A fantastic example of helping people in need took place Sunday, September 11, at Houston's Toyota Center.

Kenny Smith, former NBA player and current basketball analyst for Turner Network Television, organized an outstanding event: the NBA Players' Hurricane Katrina Relief Game. Smith said he was on the phone for about 26 hours contacting basketball players, friends, coaches, agents and contacts asking (and encouraging) them to help and / or participate in a charity basketball game which would benefit the survivors of Hurricane Katrina. To say Smith received a positive response is an extreme understatement.

Twenty-four NBA players played in the game. More than 24 participated in the event. Participation meant each player had to donate (at least) $10,000. The players gladly donated their money and, just as important, their time. Smith said the event raised more than $1,000,000 (in products, services, medical supplies, and food) before the game even took place!

Players who participated in the game rank as a "who's who" among the NBA's best, brightest and youngest stars. Carmelo Anthony, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, Rashard Lewis, Tracy McGrady, Amare Stoudemire, and Dwyane Wade and 16 of their NBA brothers entertained and delighted 11,416 fans. Five thousand of those fans in attendance were evacuees from the devastated Gulf Coast states of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi. They got the opportunity to enjoy themselves and smile (perhaps for the first time) since Katrina came ashore and wreaked havoc across the Gulf Coast.

To a man, the players said they got involved in the event simply because they wanted to help. Kevin Garnett said he came to Houston "for the people of New Orleans" Garnett said he came "for no other reason".

The players visited shelters and interacted with evacuees in a meet and greet before the game.

Utah Jazz forward Carlos Boozer told me he wanted to help because "it's an honor to be able to play for them. They've been through so much tragedy in a short period of time and for us to take some of this off their minds just a little bit it's a blessing for us to be here; and, we feel honored to play for them."

Carlos said the stories he was told at the shelter were "tragic". Boozer said, "Some people haven't found their daughters, yet. Some people are still looking for loved ones. Some people are still looking for children that haven't been found, yet."

However, Carlos added this uplifting message: "It's going to get better. We're a sign of hope for them hopefully and give them a lift."

Every player was touched by the stories they were told from the survivors. New Cleveland Cavaliers guard Damon Jones told me each time he's visited one of the shelters he has not left without crying.

The NBA Players' Hurricane Katrina Relief Game helped a lot of people; and, it touched a lot of hearts, minds, and souls. No one should believe for one second the Game solved all of the problems; but, for a few hours, Kenny Smith and friends brought smiles and hope to countless people. What once seemed impossible, Smith pulled off in a week. Thank you, Kenny.