Maurice Cheeks and the Hall of Fame

He was ice.  He could penetrate when he had to, hit the jumper when left open, find the open man -- always.  And he had some greats to pass the ball to -- Malone, Toney, and, of course, Dr. J.


And now he is going to basketball's Hall of Fame.  Very much deservedly so.


But what makes Maurice Cheeks so extra special was what he did as a coach.  Oh, he won't be remembered for a whole lot about his coaching, especially when compared to his playing, but on the night when he was coaching his first playoff game, he did something magical.


He did not draw up a great play, give an inspired pre-game speech, even suit up to help his team.  No, he did this.  That's right, in the midst of getting lost in his thoughts about how his first playoff game as a coach would go, a young teenaged girl forgot the words to the Star Spangled Banner.  She knew that she was in trouble with the song, clutched herself, looked sideways, well, to see perhaps if there was divine intervention.  Most of us would have wanted to drop through the floor, cover ourselves and not come out. 


But this young woman was lucky enough to have Maurice Cheeks.  Cheeks walked over to her, looked at her reassuringly, coached her on the words and guided this young person with a very nice voice to complete the national anthem.  It was a Hall of Fame moment, one that will bring tears to your eyes.


Why?  Because in a moment when he had every right to be selfish, to get lost in his own thoughts, to figure out about how he would work match-ups and substitutions and timeouts, Maurice Cheeks thought of someone else -- a young person in dire need.  And he walked over to her and in a most calming and avuncular fashion, guided her through an awful time.


That's what captains of the ship do.  That's what leaders do.  That's what people of great character do.


And that's what Hall of Famers do!


Congratulations, Maurice Cheeks -- we are honored to have you in our lives.