Legendary 76ers guard Maurice Cheeks entered the Basketball Hall of Fame earlier this week. Cheeks’ contributions on the court are impressive, but his most memorable moment to an entire generation of NBA fans is tied to a brief moment that occurred while he was the head coach of the Trail Blazers.
Portland was set to play Dallas in the 2003 NBA Playoffs, when Natalie Gilbert began to stumble in her rendition of the national anthem. That is when Cheeks took it upon himself to help Gilbert complete her performance.
Cheeks fondly remembers the event, and credited his quick reaction to his instincts as a parent.