A story I don't think I even brought up to you, HCP.
When I went to do a truck tour and watch a game in the truck with HCP, we got to go on the court and watch shootaround. GTJ and Simons were out there with stotts on the sideline watching. We walk over to the broadcast area where I get introduced to Calabro. During my lengthy talk with Calabro I peeked over to the blazer bench and see Dame sitting down talking to someone. Not another player, not a coaching staff, but the security person. I thought "man, thats cool."
Fast forward more into my conversation with Calabro, I peeked 2 or 3 more times over at Dame and he's still in the same conversation with the same person. At times he has his arms over the back of the chair and making eye contact with this person. Completely engaged in what this person is saying, and his body language said the same thing. It warmed my heart so much. Here's a guy who could just be the superstar player, and not be interested in anything else but the sport he plays. But he was invested in this conversation -- this person. Its so refreshing to know that even when the cameras aren't focused on him, he presents himself as a humble, empathetic, caring person. Its something I will truly never forget.
I wanted to meet Dame but I didn't want to bother him or ask HCP. And that was okay, because I know if I had - he would have given me that same respect he gave that other person.
Its like when you say that player has that 'it' factor.
Dame, as a person, has that 'it' factor.