For 2+ years, I wrote Mr. David Stern an email once a month – pleading with him to have a one on one meeting with me. My agenda was to spend time with him and see what happens – which isn’t much of a value proposition to land a meeting with a living legend. Over those 2+ years I sent him over 50 emails, in essay form, detailing why it would mean so much to me. I tried to be as creative as possible in my writing, but as the months passed I became skeptical as to whether or not he was even receiving my emails. Then it happened. He responded with a simple note, “Oct 3, 9 am, 745 Fifth Ave 33rd fl. And STOP emailing me!” When we met, he explained how he didn’t read emails on his computer, his secretary would print them and he would read hard copies. Therefore, my 50+ emails had wasted a significant amount of paper, ink, and time. He was intimidating and knew it and used it in that first meeting, but agreed to a second meeting with me before I left. For about 2 years he’d meet with me periodically and we’d discuss my aspirations, NBA history, and he’d normally curse me out & challenge me by the end. He told me Michael Jordan was the GOAT “for obvious reasons” and his favorite player was Magic Johnson because “no one made their teammates better or loved to play the game more than Magic.” Mr. Stern suddenly passed away on Jan 1, 2020. I was sad but deeply grateful he had taken an interest in me. And I figured that was that. A few days later, I got an email from Mr. Stern’s office, informing me that I was on his “list of mentees” and was invited to his service at Radio City Musical Hall. So I went and sat amongst Jordan, Kareem, Magic, and countless other childhood heroes. The most surreal part was that he considered me a mentee (and even had it documented) but never told me. Most meetings he’d called me soft. Demand I do more. And he LOVED to curse. One of the most special friendships of my life. I think of him often when I feel challenged. He’d say “keep pushin”.