In a continuing occasional series, when someone in sports whom I usually flame does something so right, it cannot be ignored.
I have had many cross words over the years for the NBA, but Adam Silver, much more than his predecessor, I do believe, for the most part, when the old boys' network gets out of the way (or is forced to!), tries to do the right thing.
Tonight, he succeeded at the annual NBA Draft.
Midway through the first round, Silver stopped the proceedings a moment and went to the podium.
Baylor University had a very prominent center who was predicted to be drafted tonight. His name is Isaiah Austin.
Austin will never play in the National Basketball Association, and it's not his fault.
During the pre-draft combines and medical checkups and all that, Austin discovered he had Marfan Syndrome, a genetic disorder which, under pain of death, prohibited him from professional-level sporting activity. According to a USA Today article (linked below, just above the video, which the article drew from) about tonight's event and the Mayo Clinic, Marfan Syndrome effects the eyes, heart, skeleton, and circulation.
His career, tragically, was forced to end.
However, the story making it to the national news led to a moment in the NBA Draft when Adam Silver did the following:
It probably doesn't mean any kind of monetary help for the situation Austin now finds himself in. It is hoped he will quickly translate his skills to something which his condition will allow him to participate in.
But the NBA was not going to let Isaiah Austin's hard work go unmerited.
For that, even with some of my issues with the NBA and during all the crooked nature of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, it's time to play fair again.
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