Trailblazers' coach helps frozen 13 year old finish anthem

[SouthernHockeyChick]

From: http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20030428/5108014s.htm

Everyone singing Cheeks' praises after assist
By Bob Velin

Singers have forgotten the words to the national anthem while performing at sporting events.

Nobody, though, ever got the kind of help 13-year-old Natalie Gilbert did Friday night when the words escaped her before Game 3 of the Dallas Mavericks-Portland Trail Blazers NBA playoff series in Portland.

As Gilbert struggled, Portland coach Maurice Cheeks walked over, put his arm around her and began singing along.

''Oh, my gosh, it was so scary to be out there all alone,'' Gilbert told TNT's Craig Sager during Sunday's game. ''When I turned to look at my dad because he was right behind me, I saw Maurice Cheeks coming over. He put his arm around me and started singing. Wow, we must have inspired the audience because they all started singing. It was amazing. . . . incredible.''

It all worked out for Gilbert, who was invited back by the Trail Blazers to sing again next season.

Former coach Jeff Van Gundy, now a TNT basketball analyst, said that's the kind of guy Cheeks is.

''He is a class person,'' Van Gundy said. ''Portland needs as many class acts as they can. . . . Maurice Cheeks should be the leader here for a long, long time.''

Los Angeles Clippers coach and TNT guest analyst Dennis Johnson would take it a step further.

''They should give Maurice a new two-year contract just for doing that,'' Johnson said Saturday
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That's the classiest thing I've seen in the NBA for years.

[SouthernHockeyChick]

From: http://www.usatoday.com/usatonline/20030428/5108014s.htm

Everyone singing Cheeks' praises after assist
By Bob Velin

Singers have forgotten the words to the national anthem while performing at sporting events.

Nobody, though, ever got the kind of help 13-year-old Natalie Gilbert did Friday night when the words escaped her before Game 3 of the Dallas Mavericks-Portland Trail Blazers NBA playoff series in Portland.

As Gilbert struggled, Portland coach Maurice Cheeks walked over, put his arm around her and began singing along.

''Oh, my gosh, it was so scary to be out there all alone,'' Gilbert told TNT's Craig Sager during Sunday's game. ''When I turned to look at my dad because he was right behind me, I saw Maurice Cheeks coming over. He put his arm around me and started singing. Wow, we must have inspired the audience because they all started singing. It was amazing. . . . incredible.''

It all worked out for Gilbert, who was invited back by the Trail Blazers to sing again next season.

Former coach Jeff Van Gundy, now a TNT basketball analyst, said that's the kind of guy Cheeks is.

''He is a class person,'' Van Gundy said. ''Portland needs as many class acts as they can. . . . Maurice Cheeks should be the leader here for a long, long time.''

Los Angeles Clippers coach and TNT guest analyst Dennis Johnson would take it a step further.

''They should give Maurice a new two-year contract just for doing that,'' Johnson said Saturday
__________________________________

That's the classiest thing I've seen in the NBA for years.

[Guyute]

always liked Mo (Cheeks) a lot. very very classy guy.

[Guyute]

always liked Mo (Cheeks) a lot. very very classy guy.

[crazy4canes]

How sweet. :cry:

[crazy4canes]

How sweet. :cry:

[Stormbringer]

That's too cool and classy... :spin:

[Stormbringer]

That's too cool and classy... :spin:

[Jeff O Rocks]

She has nerves of steel to be 13 and volunteer to sing the National Anthem in a huge arena... glad he helped her out.. :D

Nice to see good news sometimes! :spin:

[Jeff O Rocks]

She has nerves of steel to be 13 and volunteer to sing the National Anthem in a huge arena... glad he helped her out.. :D

Nice to see good news sometimes! :spin:

[Alicia]

I saw that & thought the same things...how sweet/nice/cool. :D

[Alicia]

I saw that & thought the same things...how sweet/nice/cool. :D

[Turbulence]

Portland needs as many class acts as they can

Reminds me of this... (http://www.theonion.com/onion3719/pro_athlete.html)

:D

[Turbulence]

Portland needs as many class acts as they can

Reminds me of this... (http://www.theonion.com/onion3719/pro_athlete.html)

:D

[Guyute]

lol Turby... thanks :D

best news-source ever!!

[Guyute]

lol Turby... thanks :D

best news-source ever!!

[StormFront]

It makes me happy to read things like that. It lets you know that there are still good people in the world. :D :)

[StormFront]

It makes me happy to read things like that. It lets you know that there are still good people in the world. :D :)

[tommy]

It makes me happy to read things like that. It lets you know that there are still good people in the world. :D :)

Yep, the dirtbags still haven't quite taken over yet. At least not outside of Philly, with these dudes like guyute, etc. :p :crazy:

[tommy]

It makes me happy to read things like that. It lets you know that there are still good people in the world. :D :)

Yep, the dirtbags still haven't quite taken over yet. At least not outside of Philly, with these dudes like guyute, etc. :p :crazy:

[raleighcanesfan]

I actually saw the whole thing played out on ESPN...For once the smarta$$es on there did not cut someone down. They just really supported her and especially cheeks. Nice to see...Yes, there are some nice people, not stuck on themselves in sports. Just so happens most of them play for us! (the good ones, not the bad ones)

[raleighcanesfan]

I actually saw the whole thing played out on ESPN...For once the smarta$$es on there did not cut someone down. They just really supported her and especially cheeks. Nice to see...Yes, there are some nice people, not stuck on themselves in sports. Just so happens most of them play for us! (the good ones, not the bad ones)