'NBA Mother' Welcomes Players
By:
Alex Raskin
Last Updated: 6/24/09 1:39 PM ET
| 2697 times read
One of the first faces NBA players are greeted by on their way to the league is that of Chrysa Chin.
If she hasn't met a player during the pre-draft camps, there is sure to be a run-in at the NBA Draft itself. That is where Chin—the league's Vice President of Player Development—dispenses team hats to draft picks before they step on stage to shake Commissioner David Stern's hand.
That's right. Chin is the "Hat Lady."
But that is only how she is known to NBA fans. To the players, she has a myriad of different titles. "I'm referred to as the 'NBA Mother,'" Chin told HOOPSWORLD. "I've got all kinds of nicknames."
Chin picks up a moniker like that by bringing players into the league's Rookie Orientation Program. It's her goal to not only make sure players enjoy draft night, but the rest of their careers as well.
"I run our 20-and-under program," Chin said. "I see them come in, watch them mature. They go on, they get married and have families and then they retire. I almost feel like a mother."
In a way, Chin is of most importance on the first and last days of the players' career.
"Really, you want them to transition healthily into this business so they can feel good about it when they hang up their sneakers," Chin added. "How do you get the most out of this opportunity? How can you become the best member of the community you can be?"
And there have been plenty of model pupils. Chin cites Chris Paul, Steve Nash and Alonzo Mourning as players who have come into the league, had success on and off the court, and then found ways to contribute to their communities.
"Most of your guys do a great job," Chin explained. "They get adjusted and see exactly where they fit into this puzzle."
But for fans, Chin has no bigger moment than when she hands players an adidas Flex-Fit hat with team and NBA logos emblazoned across it.
So, what is it like to welcome the top guys into the NBA?
"I guess the best way to describe it is 'heartwarming,'" said Chin. "It's a big deal to be invited. It's a big deal to be in the NBA. Some guys have worked 10-plus years to get where they are. This says you are the best of the best."
And every so often, she does get pulled into the celebration.
"When I gave Mateen Cleaves his hat, he wouldn't let go (of me)," added Chin. "We laugh about it to this day. He will never forget that experience."
Of course, there are some other major obstacles when doling out the hats. What if a trade is imminent? What if Joakim Noah's mop of hair is waiting for a nice-fitting hat?
Chin says that trades are handled very easily. A player gets the hat of the team that drafts him and another hat as soon as a trade is finalized. Often, players want to keep both draft hats as souvenirs of their time in Madison Square Garden's Wamu Theatre.
And as for Noah's hair, Chin says the flex fit somehow managed to get the job done. For Chin, it was just another moment that makes the draft so special.
"It's one of those things that guys that are aspiring to play basketball remember because they actually watch the draft," said Chin.
"It's an experience they want to have. I do say, 'pull the hat down,' and 'smile,'" she continued. "The big thing is nobody wants to trip and fall."
Most importantly though, she just wants to offer a few helpful reminders before sending a player on stage. For a rookie, it might be the first time they receive Chin's help, but it certainly won't be the last.
About the Author: ALEX RASKIN
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Alex Raskin is HOOPSWORLD's senior Newslines Editor and also covers the New Jersey Nets and New York Knicks for HOOPSWORLD. Alex also serves as a New York Giants Correspondent for CBSsports.com
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posted By Herb, 24 June 2009 9:30:31 AM
Great article, very refreshing!
I'd love to see more of these 'behind the scenes' articles, instead of boring and repeated articles about the Blazers, the 'greatest player ever' discussions, Kobe vs. MJ vs. Lebron, or Rubio (vs. Jennings) articles...
Personally, I also enjoy 'where are they now?' stories of ex NBA players... But that's just my taste...
Keep up the good work!
posted By T, 24 June 2009 10:40:50 AM
Agreed, I like everything on the site but more of this would be cool
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