Lightning Strikes Twice

Just read an inspirational article on Sydney Kings and Australian Boomers coach Brian Goorjian:

The dust from the Watts race riots had barely settled when Brian Goorjian's father, Ed, taught the future Boomers coach the first great lesson of his life. They were en route to Disneyland but Ed made a detour and took 12-year-old Brian to the tough Los Angeles district of Watts. They parked near a court where some African-American kids were playing a fast, rough game of basketball, watched for a while and moved on. After Disneyland they drove back past Watts and the same kids were playing. Ed took Brian to a LA Lakers game that night but instead of driving directly home afterwards, he again veered past Watts. "The same kids were playing under a spotlight," Goorjian recalls. "Dad said to me: 'It starts now. If you want to play basketball, that's what you're up against'." Years later, Goorjian received another inspirational directive from his father. He'd been offered a playing spot in Australia for no payment. People advised him to stay in the US, but Ed disagreed and told Brian to go. Be passionate about basketball, he said, and it will be good to you. "Those two stories explain me," Goorjian says. "My dad believed that while you're resting, someone else is working hard - and he's going to kick your ass."