Celebration Highlights

Pictures by Laura Wilson

Today’s letter please continue to share thanks, Jaimie

Hi Paul, 

I am really sorry to hear about what you are going through. Hoping for the best for you and your family. 

I read your email 3 weeks ago when we were away for a few days. Thought I would wait a bit thinking you would have a lot of people reaching out to you. Also to collect some thoughts. And then I talked to Joe H yesterday and he told me about your Hall of Fame induction. Congratulations! So deserving. 

I really like how you communicated your situation, and how you are tackling the possible cancer treatment options. It has really made me think of how I might handle things; but mostly it made me think a lot about friendship and our experiences together with Team Canada. 

Most of the thoughts were about non-basketball things. Like all the side trips we had on various tournament trips. The Mexico City pyramid, Adelaide tour (including Frogley on the camel), playing cards in Warm Springs. People thinking we were part of Madonna's entourage in Buenos Aires. A Brazil cantina. German beers in an old town. Beijing shopping. Or was that in Japan? Some of it is all mashed together. But it was all such incredible experiences we were fortunate to have had. I usually felt much more comfortable hanging out with the coaches than some of the players. Thanks for letting me do that, inviting me on your day-trips, treating me the way you did.

And the conversations and debates! Two I remember very well. The first was about Dennis Rodman - do you remember that? You asked whether I would have wanted him on my team. I said yes absolutely, and you said no. I still feel the same way. As long as we have people like Pat Anderson around to hold him to account.

The second was about hockey - watching Scott Stevens (I think it was him) open ice hit someone, mostly shoulder to their head. You were so strongly of the opinion that it was dirty and should not be part of the game. I was on the other side, that it was fair game, you gotta have your head up, etc. etc.. Well, your take is 100% obviously the correct one here. There is no doubt now, whether it's the science of head injuries or me having kids playing hockey. I was completely wrong about that! Seems so clear now, but you were way ahead of the curve on that one. 

On the wheelchair basketball side of things, I have thought several times over the years how fortunate I was to be part of something that truly was the best in the world for several years. I have described our team (in the broadest sense, from the 12 players, black aces, therapists and other staff, organization leadership and staff, and coaches) proudly many times over the years. Often in detail, most recently 2 years ago when I applied for my current job as Director of an Applied Research group. At any time we have 15 - 20 people - pretty much the same size as our traveling team of players, coaches, and staff.  

So I compared my (potential) research staff to our Team Canada during my job interview - how we all had roles to play that complemented each other so well and made us the best. And how I might bolster my leadership style (and weaknesses) for this job with complimentary people and personalities. Much like I think about our teams from the past. The complimentary players we were so lucky to have had, and our coaching staff. At any time we had 3 of you, Jerry, Joe, and Mike. Such an amazing leadership group with such complementary personalities and strengths. So very lucky. 

I don't think I appreciated it at the time like I do now. But its such an advantage we had having you as an integral part of the coaching staff with what you brought to the culture and brand/vibe/(not sure what to call it) of our team. (Note: I did very much appreciate you as a basketball coach at the time, and still do: the technical and innovative aspects, the player interactions and teaching style, and the smarts and calmness you brought to game situations.)

But the culture part I really find interesting now (as I am leading my own team, and having had kids, etc.). The way you led from the front with our engagement with local organizations in whatever country we happened to be in. Having the kind words and gifts for others, the continuous friendliness and openness you have for everyone from the other teams and organizers. I can't help but think of how much goodwill you bought us at various different levels. From organizers - perhaps we got better game times or other resources. From officials - surely we got more calls going our way. Same with the classifiers. From other teams - just having them like us a little bit more is such an advantage. I am pretty sure most of this came from your leadership and demeanor with how you treat people in general. And how this rubbed off on our other staff and the players as well. Leading by example. These are things that don't show up as stats, that can't be measured. But it surely was a large part of what made our group the best in the world.

And of course it's what people will remember about you (and hopefully all of us) - the family, friendships, hanging out, and having adventures together.

Thinking about the sports side again - you also show everyone that anyone can be ultra-competitive and striving their absolute hardest to win. But still be a nice guy and show the best sportsmanship. We sometimes forget this with what we see in the media and pro sports. 

I feel very fortunate Paul to have had you as a coach and friend for many years, and still as a friend now. Such great memories.

Jaimie