NBA Players Donate $1000 Per Point to Aid Japan in Time of Need

As we go about our daily routines while enamoured with March Madness and the crazy races in the NHL and NBA, people in Japan are enduring difficult times.

People from around the world—including many of you reading this—have donated money to the Japanese people that have been hit with multiple tragedies, and I applaud you.

A good number of players in the NHL, NFL and other leagues have raised or donated money to aid Japan.

Some NBA players have taken a different route, however. The unanimous choice for league MVP (at this point) Derrick Rose, the brothers Marc and Pau Gasol, Atlanta Hawks Al Horford, OKC's Russell Westbrook and Portland's LaMarcus Aldridge have all decided to give $1000 per every point they score over the weekend.

Other players in the NBA also donating set sums are D.J. Augustin, Jarron Collins, Jason Collins, Mike Dunleavy Jr., Tyreke Evans, Danilo Gallinari, Xavier Henry, Antawn Jamison, Jason Kapono, Quincy Pondexter, Brian Scalabrine, Etan Thomas and Ben Wallace. (From the Sporting News.com)

Sports certainly bring people of different race, culture, creed and religion together under one umbrella.

We all look up to these athletes as role models or heroes in some respect, and we admire them for their skills and amazing athletic feats. In this situation, however, they usurp their regular roles on highlight reels and community work which have made them our idols.

We may see them in a new light as they add to the effort to pacify human suffering in Japan.

Thanks, guys! Each one of you has made numerous new fans around the world by your generous donations.

Good on ya!