The rivalry is palpable and there’s no denying the intense history between the two dynasties. The LA Lakers and the Boston Celtics are in the NBA Playoffs, starting tonight, and the feeling is in the air. Seriously, as you’re watching the game you see history peeping through the crowd. That’s where my words find their meaning-in the history.

The history I speak of is that of the likes of Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Larry Bird, and please give an ovation for Bill Russell. The athletes are why Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garrett are able to be who they are today (Okay, let’s not ever be remised to leave Michael Jordan out of the dialogue of greatness.).

These historians of the grace and discipline of basketball are beyond compare. Words just aren’t there to describe the talent and confidence and champion that every one of these guys possess.

Today these historians sit and watch the young ones play and achieve and compete. Today I sit and watch the reasons (Magic, Kareem, Larry, Bill) why they are, indeed, able to play and achieve and compete.

Who do you offer respect and thanks to for paving the way for you?

Imagine you’re a professional athlete (Yes, you!) and you have everything you could ever imagine at your disposal… money, notoriety, cars (often phrased as endeared toys), and anything else your little heart desires. Now, with all of this fame and success you stumble across a rough patch in your life that you aren’t exactly expecting neither is it in your control (You know it happens all the time.).

In fact, it happens to the best of us. An uncontrollable situation is, indeed, the great equalizer between us all (the professional athlete and the everyday Joe… or wherever you fall in between).

Considering this (as yourself or as A.K.A. a professional athlete), how would you go about handling that uncontrollable situation? And, if you have experienced that seemingly out of control situation, how did you come through it?

It’s sharing time…

Every parent’s wish is for their child to come into this world with 10 fingers and 10 toes. It’s a desire that, above all else, health prevails. And, the mysterious observation about parenthood-despite anything that comes up-is the unending capacity to hope. They hope in the face of disappointment, adversity, and seemingly hopeless situations… These parents are no different.

Ernie Els, a former World No. 1 and member of the PGA tour, (with confidence and courage) recently revealed that his 5-year-old son, Ben, has autism. After dealing with the diagnoses for some time privately (understandingly so), Els and his wife, Lielz, disclosed that they were now comfortable with sharing (couldn’t imagine the level of difficulty). During the PGA tour earlier this year, Els donned an Autism Speaks logo on his golf bag (Go Ernie!). Obviously showing the logo on purpose, Els desires to use his celebrity to raise money and bring awareness to the disorder.

Admitting that it isn’t easy, Els settles into the fact that there has been a change of life and priorities for his family. But, the Els find that they are quite capable of dealing with this as part of their lives and would just like to help others who are less fortunate in the same situation.

The U.S. Open is fast approaching… look for Els (and maybe Little Ben) as he courageously fights this battle with and for his son.

Could you imagine revealing some of your most private struggles to the world?… How would you answer the world’s, then, unending desire to know more?