Portland Trailblazer Really Is One With His Remarkable Story

I don't usually read the sports pages and I'm not usually particularly interested in new members of the NBA's Portland Trailblazers, but I stumbled upon one of the best examples of sportswriting I've ever seen. And a related video that is guaranteed to make you weepy.

Reading and watching are both worth it.

Portland Trailblazer Meyer Leonard

The Oregonian's John Canzano' wrote about Meyer Leonard, drafted in the first round by the Trailblazers. It could have been a routine, boring sports story. But Leonard has an amazing, if sad past, which he has clearly overcome.

Leonard's brother Bailey is a Marine, and the siblings are as close as any siblings can be. The brothers' father died when they were young. They suffered through poverty.

Leonard went about his business of launching a basketball career while worried sick about Bailey, whose life was in danger as he fought in Afghanistan.   I won't go into it further, just read Canzano's article.  Even if you never read the sports page,  read that. 

They say love conquers all. And I guess the love between two brothers is proof of that.

When you're done reading, watch the video below, put together by John Canzano. In it, Meyer Leonard is a the basketball court, in March, in Champagen, Illinois. It looks like he's practicing.   Watch what happens when a certain visitor stops by to congratulate him.