NBA veteran A.C. Green stresses family values

MANILA, Philippines - NBA veteran A. C. Green, called the “Iron Man” for setting the record of playing in 1,192 consecutive games, considers family values a higher priority than basketball.

Green, 47, said the other day basketball is the vehicle he uses as an “opening” to reach out to the youth. His organization, “Game Plan,” puts together programs that show the way for kids to become positive members of society and role models.

Green was in town to join the coaching staff that conducted the three-day Jr. NBA Alaska National Training Camp for 50 boys in the 10-14 age bracket.

“Basketball is a way to captivate kids,” explained Green who suited up for the Los Angeles Lakers, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks and Miami Heat in a 16-year career where he sat out only three of 1,281 games. “We use other sports to connect with the youth like soccer, swimming and tennis. We teach life lessons to the kids, values to help them throughout life, not just during a weekend of basketball or a few days in camp. It’s all about character development.”

When he played in the NBA, Green openly advocated abstinence from sex before marriage. Green refrained until he got married at the age of 38 to his wife Veronique in 2002. The couple went on a two-month honeymoon in exotic places around the world. Green said it was worth the wait.

“Abstinence is just one component of ‘Game Plan,’” said Green. “The overall goal is to develop better persons. We won’t turn away those who’ve had sex before marriage. Everyone is entitled to a second chance. We all make mistakes. What’s important is we learn from our mistakes.”

Green said Filipinos are special to him because he knows how important they regard family values. He has now made five visits to Manila. Green’s first trip was in 1987 on the Campus Crusade for Christ tour.

“I love coming back to the Philippines,” said Green, a devout Christian. “I hang out with a lot of Filipino friends. In the US, I visit their homes and they visit mine. Whenever we get together, there’s always good food, good friendship and good family bonding. Filipinos are warm and hospitable people. Of course, they have a great love and passion for basketball.”

Green said holding the NBA record for playing the most consecutive games is significant because it’s a testament to how grateful he is to his parents A. C. Sr.. a car mechanic, and Leola, a Nordstrom department store switchboard operator. “They’re my role models,” said Green, the youngest of four children. “They taught me what hard work is about. They gave me a wonderful home environment. They never pushed me to do things they wanted. They let me grow and learn things with love. The record is meaningful to me only in the sense that it’s the product of hard work influenced by my parents.”

Green said playing with Magic Johnson in the “Showtime” era and Kobe Bryant in the “Showman” era was an experience of a lifetime. He’s the only Laker ever to play on teams that won championships at the Fabulous Forum in Inglewood and the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Green played on the Laker title squads in 1986-87, 1987-88 and 1999-2000.

“Magic was the focal point of our championships in the ‘80s,” said Green. “He was a great captain and leader. We were a tight unit, a family. It was unlike in college where teams rely on certain key players and there’s a lot of individualism. With Magic, it was different. We also had great players in Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, James Worthy, Byron Scott and Michael Cooper. Pat Riley was our coach. Then, in 1999-2000, the challenge was playing together as a team. Society had changed. The game had become more individualistic. The pursuit of the championship was the same but the challenge was to generate team effort. Again, we had great players in Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal and a great coach in Phil Jackson. I enjoyed playing on those teamsequally. I was lucky to play with crazy and fun teammates.”

Green said during his NBA career, he often brought along a green teddy bear named “Little A. C.” as a symbol of his commitment to kids. “Little A. C. was a reminder to kids of the values in life,” he said. “It was my way of telling the kids I see you, I feel you and I stand by you. I would put Little A. C. on my shoulders, on top of my head or in my pocket. I even had Little A. C. with me on the bench during games. I was quite surprised when on my first day in this Manila trip, a fan came up to me with a Little A. C. doll. It was an awesome feeling to realize how far-reaching I’ve been able to connect.”

Green said last year, he organized a 3BA tour in five US cities preparatory to forming a professional league for a three-on-three, full-court game. “It’s the basketball version of arena football,” he said. “The full-court is smaller than the regular full-court for a five-on-five game and we use less players, three to a team on the floor.” There are plans to bring the 3BA game to Asia. Aside from his social advocacy, Green is busy with his business interests – he owns several Denny’s Restaurants and a Hyundai dealership.