Ronny Turiaf Has Something To Smile About

Along the sweat-filled bench of the New York Knicks, the laid-back Ronny Turiaf was all smiles as the Knicks cruised their way to a 117-111 preseason win on  against the New Jersey Nets. It wasn’t just about the victory but Ronny has a deeper meaning about his smile.

Basketball has been very good to Ronny. It’s been such a long journey coming from a Caribbean kid in a French oversea department in Martinique.

It was exactly five years ago when the Lakers drafted him and four weeks after the draft he was diagnosed with an enlarged heart. His contract was voided and basically his career is over and was bound to an open-heart surgery. When everyone said he was done, Ronny was confident he will be back. It’s not the way how his Cinderella story ends and if he goes down, he wants to go down trying.

He went to therapy and embraced pain as he brave each process one step at a time. Because he knows going through all the tough and low moments in life can make him a better person and eventually a better player.

After signing a four-year, $17 million contract with the Golden State Warriors, Ronny witnessed the fruits of his labor. And now as a member of the New York Knicks as part of the four-man trade for David Lee, Ronny will be playing as a vital role in giving the Knicks the toughness and the defensive presence needed in the post.

This is Turiaf’s second life and he wants to make the best out of it. He wants to make something good on everything he has done. He wants to be the best teammate ever. Cheering and pumping his fist every time someone scores.

Everybody loves him; even Don Nelson misses Turiaf presence in the bench after the trade. “I watch every second of the game so I’m ready when the coach calls. Next, I want to be a great teammate even if the ball’s not in my hands. So I act crazy to keep everyone pumped,” Turiaf says. (menshealth.com)

Ronny Turiaf celebrates life by smiling and if you asked him he will just say “Life is too short”… very true because as far as we can see Ronny is making the best out of it.