Basketballs: September 2005 Archives
I told you previously about Sun Ming Ming's health problems. This young man, who has not yet entered the workforce, or the NBA, for that matter, couldn't possibly pay for the innovative ultramodern surgery he would require.
But people stepped up, and Sun Ming Ming had successful surgery on the tumor that was pressing on his pituitary gland. The doctor says he should have a full and rapid recovery, and should see improvements to his endurance and fitness very quickly.
I would just like to say thanks to all of you who gave, and gave, and gave.
Shaquille O'Neal, most dominant center in the game of basketball, assisted Miami Beach police in apprehending a man who harassed and assaulted a gay couple last weekend.
The man, a passenger in a passing car, yelled at the couple, then got out and threw a bottle at them. No serious injuries were suffered.
The man returned to the car and rode off. Shaq, in hot pursuit, flagged down a police officer, who made the arrest.
Shaq is cool. Shaq is going to be a good sheriff.
AP story here.
Watching Sun Ming Ming from afar has been a little hobby of mine since I heard of him a few months ago. This is a Chinese basketball player who can dunk a basketball flat-footed. He's seven feet eight inches tall. Real tall, right?
He's 22 years old, trying to break into the NBA, but in tryouts with teams, they raised concerns about his stamina. It turns out he has a tumor pressing into his pituitary gland, which has helped create his ridiculous height, and also limits the production of testosterone, which affects his endurance. The man has a tumor, and it's going to kill him.
He needs surgery immediately, but it costs a hundred thousand dollars! We think of NBA players as rich dudes, but he is no NBA player yet. He's a Chinese basketball player that simply does not have a hundred thousand dollars.
Kind-hearted souls have started a fundraiser for him at SaveSunMingMing.com. I want this guy to live, and I want to see him in the NBA. He's a nice guy and a tall guy and he can dunk a basketball standing flat on the ground. Let's not let a tumor kill him off.
Thank you.
Lebron, Kobe, KG, Amare, Marbury, Wade, and many other awesome ballers are getting together in Houston this Sunday to play a benefit game for Katrina victims. This has all come together over the past few days. Kenny Smith is organizing this deal. He got everything donated, the stadium, TV time, a bunch of seats for hurrican victims.
It's gonna be on TNT, Sunday night at eleven pm, commercial-free. You can come over to my house and watch, gimme a call. Five dollar donation to Katrina victims at the door.