Where else but the NBA could people like Bill Russell, Spencer Haywood, Ricky Barry, Dennis Rodman, and Allen Iverson come in and be allowed to be who they are?

Steve Nash is the most unathletic player in the league.

I grew up in an non-athletic family, where my parents were interested in music, in literature, in education and art.

I learned early on the value and the power of music to inspire and to drive me.

My life changed irrevocably four-and-a-half years ago when my spine failed and collapsed. I spent two years on the floor, in excruciating, debilitating and unrelenting pain. I can only describe the pain as being submerged into a vat of scalding acid that has an electric current running through it. And you can never get out, ever.

I've got my iPod and I've got it on shuffle. If I'm not ready for one, I'll click to the next one. My wife, Lori, and our children, Adam, Nate, Chris, and Luke, will all tell you that when I find one I like it can stay on repeat for weeks on end.

When you are in unrelenting, excruciating and debilitating pain that never goes away for years on end, your life is over.