DelMarVa FCA

The memories are too many to count. Growing up we emulated his dunks on eight foot hoops, and we had to have the Converse Superstars. As gym rats and blacktop warriors, we would all play our roles as Dr. J, Moses, CJ, Bobby Jones, Mo Cheeks, Andrew Toney and we imitated "the Zink" announcing the games. "ERRRRVING at the line shooting three for two!"

There were some serious nerf hoop games in my family room as well. My older brother would play against me on his knees. I would be the Sixers and he would be the Celtics. Every once in a while, my dad would call for a shot from his rocking chair and we would feed him the rock until he made a shot.

I never counted the number of games I attended at the old Spectrum but it was numerous. So many great memories. I remember attending many Bird confrontations including playoff contests. One of my favorite memories was the Sunday afternoon Dr. J drained a three to beat the Celtics at the buzzer, following a Bird missed free throw and Barkley winning a jump ball versus McHale.

Another was after Doc was retired, I spotted him with his family in the section over from me. On my way out I tapped the Doctor in the shoulder, he turned and shook my hand and I thanked him for all the memories. I will have the opportunity to do the same with Bobby Jones at our FCA banquet on 4/1.

Dr. J was recently featured on ESPN's OTL :http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/eticket/story?page=drjandalexandra It featured Julius and his daughter Alexandra. One of two of the children Dr. J had out of wedlock. Dr. J's marriage ended in divorce and proof of other sex scandals were brought to the light.

Many folks have probably mailed in their memories of Dr. J. I challenge you to forgive him, he is broken like we are. His life is no different than our lives. We do not have the platform he did but we are all in a position of influence. Julius is living proof that we all have a plank in our on eye. Scripture tells us how can I point out a speck in your eye when I have a plank in my own. But it is so much easier to point out a flaw versus pointing the magnifying glass at my own heart.

I respect Dr. J for overcoming his fear to make it right with his daughter. Many folks tend to think Christians are supposed to be perfect or because you have a weakness that it makes you less of a Christian. Faith is a journey, a process, not about perfection. It is about suffering, discovery and refining to possibly attain the mountaintop. I guarantee you if you ask God to remind you of some wrong you did in the past or an area of your life that is not pleasing to Him, the wait will not be long. But what do we do with the revelation when we receive it.

Doc's legacy lives on with me even more powerful now. Doc is growing in his faith through forgivness, healing and restoration of relationships. There is an old saying that says, "Love the sinner, Hate the sin ." It is so easy to pass judgement on folks, I pray this might have an impact on our ability to love unconditionally.

Make it a great night!

Coach Chambers

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Are their relationships in your life that need restoration?

What is the plank in your eye?

Do you alienate folks because of their decisions?

or do you love them because they are broken like ourselves?

What is your legacy?