Something special for Grand Pop, By Lou Christine

The World Basketball Championship kicks off in Japan this month. The USA's domination of the sport faded during its embarrassing showing at the 2004 Olympiad in Athens. Even the most casual basketball fans were shocked, and it seemed inconceivable that the US could only muster a third-place bronze medal in the sport that has its roots in America.

The world has caught up to US-style basketball, and today there is more than just a trickle of foreign players making up the squads of the National Basketball Association. Basketballs are dribbled around the globe. Europeans, Asians and South Americans have become proficient enough to perform on a stage that once was exclusively reserved for US kids.

The US's 2006 roster is a far cry from the Dream Team that awed the world in 1992 in Barcelona, with the likes of Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and Larry Byrd.

The current team consists of younger, lesser-known NBA stars, yet they are determined and eager to bring back the crowning jewel in the form of a World Basketball Championship.

There is one young player I recommend basketball fans keep an eye on: Chris Paul. During the regular season, Paul plays point guard for the New Orleans Hornets. Paul was chosen as the NBA's rookie of the year last season. In the wake of hurricane Katrina's devastation, Paul was one of the few bright spots to shine on the beleaguered Crescent City. Yet there's an additional story that goes along with Paul that not too many people know about.

Paul grew up in North Carolina. He began playing competitive basketball at nine years of age. His number-one fan was his grandfather. His mother and father supported his athletic endeavors, but it was granddaddy who attended just about every significant game the young man played. Paul credits the elder with teaching him all aspects of the game, including the subtler nuances, such as sportsmanship and the importance of being a team player.

His grandfather owned and operated the hometown gas station and was a well-known and trusted mechanic. Old Man Paul was a big Wake Forest University fan. He constantly sported a greasy Wake Forest baseball cap.

Paul honed his game and became a four-letter all-star while leading his high school team into the playoffs every year. Naturally, his grandfather was a steady fixture at games. His booming voice could be heard rooting for his grandson.

Paul received scholarship offers from basketball powerhouses across the nation. Considering his grandfather's allegiance to Wake Forest, his choice of colleges became a no-brainer; he was going to attend Wake Forest. The day Paul signed his letter of intent at Wake Forest, a well-attended press conference was held. Sporting a suit and tie, Paul completed the ensemble with his granddaddy's old Wake Forest cap.

A few days later, his grandfather turned 61, but what should have been a celebration instead turned into tragedy. Grand Pop, while going about his business at the gas station, was held up by gun-wielding thugs. The robbery went awry, and Grand Pop was shot to death.

Nevertheless, North Carolina's high school basketball championship game was scheduled a few days later, and the younger Paul and his squad were going to vie for the state championship.

Before the game, Paul told his sister, uncle and an assistant coach he was going to score 61 points that night in honor of Grand Pop-no small feat, considering that Paul had never scored more than 37 points during his high school career. Actually, he was more of a playmaker than a scorer.

In the waning moments of the game, after being fouled, Paul stood at the foul line to shoot two free throws.

His team was well ahead. Up to that point, during an amazing performance Paul had scored 60 points, just a few points away from breaking the state's individual scoring record of 65 points.

Paul took the ball from the referee, concentrated on the foul shot, and sunk the first free throw.

Then, something unique happened. Rather than attempting to make the second free throw and staying in the game, perhaps to earn a place in North Carolina high-school sports history; Paul did not attempt the second shot. Instead, he casually bounced the ball, turned toward the stunned crowed, and humbly walked off the court, culminating his illustrious high school career. He secured a state championship for his team and got his 61 for Grand Pop!

Those attending said it was as if Paul were somehow possessed that night. His spectacular dribbling, air-borne maneuvers, and 360-degree turns were downright awesome and equally scary, poetry in motion. At both ends of the court, in a playing frenzy Paul overwhelmed his foes. He stripped the ball from opponents and scooted down the floor to make easy lay-ups. On offense he sunk shots from way out. At times, regardless of being draped by three defenders, it was as if his determined young mind willed balls into the basket after taking what best could be described as circus shots. He was unstoppable!

Certainly, under the circumstances, many a grandson might say, "I'm gonna score a touch down, or hit a home run, or slap-shot a goal, or win a race for my Grand Pop to celebrate his birthday and life." But for Pistol Pete's sake, scoring 61 points takes more than a defining moment or a momentary rush of adrenalin. Even if Paul sunk nothing more than three-point shots he would have had to sink at least 20 shots, but that night Paul made baskets in all kinds of ways.

Paul did attend Wake Forest. After two seasons and making all-conference he decided to turn pro. The 6-foot, one-inch player made an immediate impact with his new professional team, playing all-season like a crafty veteran. For six straight months the NBA named him Rookie of the Month in the Western Conference.

Paul symbolizes what's tremendous about athletics. Rather than bolstering his own ego, he told the press he could not have achieved the award without the help of his teammates. The 21-year-old already lends his celebrity to a number of worthwhile local charities and he remains very close to his family.

Too often these days we hear mostly about self-centered athletes, who because of God-given talents act as if the world owes them something.

I look forward to the upcoming world championship and also the next professional basketball season, hopefully many more with Paul leading his team. Shoot, I just might become a New Orleans Hornets fan.

Paul says his focus now is to bring the championship back to the States, and to the City of New Orleans, which would be a city first in any sport at the professional level. He also wants to play for Team USA in the next Olympiad and hopes to bring home the gold. You know, I've got this gut feeling he will do all three before his career is over.