CHICAGO - Kindness is a recommended leadership trait, but toughness is a requirement.
A soft, gentle heart encourages harmony among the ranks. But only an iron fist, preferably cold and unforgiving, can keep the peace.
By allowing Calvin Abueva to rejoin Phoenix Pulse for team practices, PBA commissioner Willie Marcial has demonstrated the unique ability to balance ruthlessness with compassion.
Abueva invited Marcial's fury last July when the wild-mannered forward got unhinged in a game against TNT KaTropa at the Ynares gym where he violently clotheslined import Terrence Jones. Previously, Calvin was caught vigorously sending obscene hand gestures to a lady fan during a game versus Blackwater .
The league's response to the 31-year old's binge of anarchy was swift and decisive - a hefty P70,000 fine plus a stint in the purgatory of "indefinite suspension."
Nearly three months later, the 6-foot-2 malcontent became a recipient of Marcial's tender mercy.
"Tumaba raw kasi s'ya, so pinayagan ko na," said the commish, whose decision has been generally construed as the essential first step necessary for Abueva's eventual return to the PBA.
In so doing, Marcial probably rescued Abueva from himself and his personal demons.
Without organized basketball, Abueva was rudderless, deprived of the infrastructure that would keep him in shape and out of trouble. Idle time for athletes usually mean more time to pursue unproductive activities.
Although described as self-destructive, Abueva's infractions resulted in anything but a one-man car crash. He ran over several innocent victims.
His Fuel Masters teammates, off to a not-so-raging 0-2 start in the ongoing Governors' Cup, had suffered through uncertainty across two painful conferences.
His fans and supporters, and more importantly his family, got hurt as well.
The tragedy of temporarily losing the livelihood he needed to support his children added a layer of stress.
So yeah, Marcial did not just save a lost soul.
He rescued a small village of casualties who undeservedly endured the harsh consequences created by the reckless acts of one person.
But the real triumph in this saga only comes when Calvin Abueva can prove that he deserved this rare second chance.
PAID VACATION. As he rehabs from the ruptured Achilles he sustained in Game 5 of the 2019 NBA Finals last June, the Brooklyn Nets, who signed Kevin Durant to a four-year $164 million contract last July, are proceeding with utmost caution.
Team GM Sean Marks announced on Thursday that the Slim Reaper will likely not see any action in the upcoming 2019-20.
Which is good news for Durant. Rushing a return from an Achilles injury can be catastrophic. Just ask DeMarcus Cousins.
The planned sabbatical is even better news to Durant's agent, accountant and money manager. Even though the two-time NBA Finals MVP would be inactive, he still gets paid in full, courtesy of a contractual clause that guaranteed every dollar of the deal.
Durant's pay for the 2019-20 season is $37.1 million, which entitles him to receive $453,646 a game for 82 games.
But it's a "loss" that the team can easily handle, thanks to a very wealthy owner. Joseph Tsai, co-founder of Alibaba who is worth $9.5 billion, according to Forbes.
Tsai recently became the sole owner of the Nets, replacing Russian mogul Mikhail Prokorov by plunking a total of $2.35 billion to acquire both the franchise and the Barclays Center.
OOOOPS AND THANK YOU JAMAIL SERIO. In my previous column (All eyes on Harden as NBA tightens rules on travelling violations), I incorrectly pointed out that Harden is a Nike endorser when he is in fact affiliated with Adidas.
Several readers informed me of the blooper, but only one acted with civility.
His name is Jamail S. Serio and I want to thank him for not behaving like he never made a minor mistake ever in his entire life.
As a token of my appreciation, please send me your address there in the Philippines, Jamail. Sometime during the course of this season I will mail you an official NBA hat (any team of your choice) plus an official Chicago Bulls media guide.
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