Thread: Star in hoops for The U, 1st round draft pick in the NBA...is now a soldier in IRAQ..

This is a great, brave and a amazing story.....

He carries only two basketball reminders with him. A UM basketball card and a Heat basketball card. He keeps them in plastic around his neck, tucked behind a photo of his 5-year-old son, hidden under his uniform. He takes them out, in his words, ``to drift off on the bad days.''

James had to get military clearance to talk for this story. That's how his commanding officer finally found out SPC Tim James used to be an NBA millionaire. Byron is not easily impressed, but he finds the fact that James didn't tell anyone he was an NBA player even more amazing than the fact that he was an NBA player.

``I'm kind of in awe,'' the captain says.

******

James isn't running through the sand avoiding unrelenting machine-gun fire. This isn't Pat Tillman, though it is about the closest thing sports has seen since the late Tillman left the football Arizona Cardinals. James isn't someone who craves a fire fight. He just wants to help. He is on an air base in an area his captain describes as ``dusty, barren and isolated.''

His remaining 11 months in Iraq should go by without him ever having to go beyond the airfield's wires. James hasn't heard enemy fire in his month there.

He works 12-hour shifts every day, with one day off every two weeks. He has trained to throw grenades and lay down mines, but what he's doing these days is helping fuel planes and helicopters. It is, in the words of his captain, ``one of the least appreciated jobs and one of the most important. One of the hardest-working units we have -- easily.''

Word on the base is now spreading that James was an NBA player, so during the hottest and dirtiest days, fellow soldiers will ask: What the hell are you doing here? You chose this?

You ever doubt your decision, Tim?

``Absolutely not,'' he says. ``To be able to support and defend freedom gives me great joy. A lot of people have died for something many Americans take for granted. I wake up every day knowing I'm doing something important with my life. This is so fulfilling. Keeping our country safe gives me great purpose.''

Tim James' journey from NBA to Iraq - Sports - MiamiHerald.com

WOW!! Great story of coarse you wont here this kinda thing on espn!!

Originally Posted by BlackHitachi

WOW!! Great story of coarse you wont here this kinda thing on espn!!

Don't know about that ...... Dan Lebatard also works for ESPN .....

I haven't heard about it on CBS Sportsline or TSN either.

Thanks for passing that along Salsa

Well.....LeBatard is the MOST anti-ESPN ESPNer you will find there. IF you were to hear is show on the radio....it is the MOST non-sports sports show you will ever hear.

Awesome story! Respect.

James and Tillman have my utmost respect. Here are guys that had just about everything you can possibily have in regards to material things....and they CHOSE to fight to protect our freedoms....they didn't need to...they CHOSE...!!! Wow!!