“I’ve been to Iraq twice,” the father said matter-of-factly. “I’m always ready to go again.”
Albert Gallardo then peered proudly at his son, 11-year-old Marcus.
“When you’re away,” the Army father said, “family is all you can think of.”
On Friday, the Nuggets hosted a game between two youth teams from Fort Carson, inviting thousands of base residents to town. Gallardo was able to watch his son from the stands. As for Marcus’ teammates, most of them had a parent at war.
“We can’t imagine what they’re going through on a day-to-day basis, worrying about their parents,” said Doug Fulton, the Nuggets’ basketball youth programs manager. “This is our way to thank them and do something special for them. This is more than a game of basketball.”
It was an event. There was music and cheerleaders and a raucous crowd. The Nuggets’ public address announcer worked the mike. Rocky the mascot worked the crowd. And right before tipoff came the big announcement.
The teams would have new coaches — Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson.
The Denver all-stars walked into the gym and girls shrieked. One just kept screaming, “I love you, I love you,” to Iverson. Every one in the stands leaned forward in cadence. Is it really them? Here, because of us?
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Marcus said.
He was on Iverson’s team. Coach A.I. brought the team together for a pregame pep talk. The kids had questions; The Answer had the answers. On the other sideline, Anthony gave his short players some high-fives.
The two Nuggets were into it. Iverson facetiously yelled at the ref. When Anthony’s team was on offense, he walked from the far bench toward the action, encouraging the players with a smile. They couldn’t have faked it if they tried — a moment like this was bigger than even Melo and A.I.
“The circumstances are not so great, but hopefully, for an hour or two, they can come here, take their minds off that and just have a good time,” Iverson said. “I know after this is all over, they still have to deal with the fact that their parents are gone, but hopefully we can have some impact on them right now. Honestly, it makes me feel blessed to be here.”
In the stands, a father in Army fatigues sat next to his wife, while their six antsy children bounced around the aisles, oblivious to the megawatt stars on the court.
The Griffey family came from Fort Carson to enjoy the distraction. The reality of wartime hovers. Just the day before, their neighbor was deployed. She has two young children.
Troy Griffey served two tours of duty in Iraq, returning just two months ago.
Asked if it was possible he’ll go back, he said, “It’s not ‘just possible.’ It’s guaranteed.”
The words are piercing. Ominous. Troy and Michelle have been married 13 years. Michelle knows the omnipresent fear when dinner serves just seven. After hearing the national anthem at Friday’s youth game, she talked about the momentous days when the troops return to Fort Carson from war. The community gathers in the gym, just like they did in Denver on Friday.
“You’re thinking, ‘You’re going to be OK, it’s going to be happy,’ ” she said. “But when they start playing the national anthem, you feel overwhelmed with pride for them, and what they do. It hits you — we could have lost you.”
The Griffey eight were together Friday, a little prouder because the Nuggets — and their all-stars — shared their thanks.
“It says something that they’re willing to give up their time to come do this,” Troy Griffey said.
After the final buzzer, the players united on the court, shaking hands and searching for Sharpies. Iverson and Anthony signed their jerseys and posed for photos.
In the grand scheme of things, it was just two men hanging out with some kids for a couple of hours, a seemingly effortless assignment. But the memories will be indelible for those involved.
Bill Reed served the country for 22 years, and now he helps run the youth sports at Fort Carson. He actually led his team to a 9-0 record this season, but Friday he gave up his playbook to Iverson.
After the game, Reed peered at Iverson and Anthony with pride similar to that of Gallardo when he peered at his son.
Said Reed of the Nuggets’ all-stars: “They can’t go with us, but they did something for their country today.”
SPOTLIGHT ON . . .
Steve Nash, guard, Suns
You might want to stretch your neck muscles before Denver’s upcoming games against Phoenix. Steve Nash moves up and down the court at breakneck speed, and Denver will face the peppy point guard on Monday and Tuesday night, the former in Phoenix, the latter at the Pepsi Center.
Nash, a two-time league MVP, is the Suns’ engine. Entering this weekend, Nash averaged 17.5 points per game, second most on the Suns. And, as you might have figured, his assists are among the league leaders. He entered the weekend second with 11.2 per game, which is right on par with his averages from the past seasons — 11.5, 10.5 and 11.6.
His magic has spread throughout the team, and Phoenix is playing even better with Sha- quille O’Neal, acquired in the risky February trade for Shawn Marion.
One part of Nash’s game that gets overlooked — because he is an assist machine — is his 3-point shooting, which is better than ever in 2007-08. Nash is second in the league with a 48.2 3-point percentage, the highest of his 12-year career. And, there’s no asterisk — he is also sixth in the league with 158 3-pointers made, which means he’s shooting them often and making them often.
Against the Nuggets this season, Nash’s scoring average is below average — 12.5 in two games (split by the teams). He averages 11.5 assists against Denver, but in the most recent game, a Denver win March 5, he had 13 assists countered by five turnovers.
