"He was a gracious man. Everybody knew Pete.
He was good to everybody, had time for everybody
,
and has had a tremendous influence on the game
of basketball ... The game of basketball has
lost a great friend.
"
Another reminder that basketball (and all sports for that matter) can mean more than just playing a game. Who knows if this will lead anywhere, but basketball is laying a foundation for better relations between Iran and the United States. On a much smaller scale, as coaches, we have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of all of the players and managers that we work with. And, as the starfish story relates, it does make a difference to every kid that we touch.