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I begin by challenging Randy Foye and telling him if he hits his threes, the Clippers win. If he does not, the Grizzlies will triumph in the playoffs.

I have never sounded so ridiculous, and that's a lot of history to overcome.

Here I am pressing someone who was 3 when his father died in a motorcycle accident. Five when his mother, selling drugs on the streets of Newark, N.J., just vanished.

He was parentless before first grade, the Crips and Bloods waiting for him to grow up, his brother shot 11 times, surviving and only recently getting released from prison.

"I look at everything in front of me as a mountain that has to be climbed," he says. "I also became determined to beat whatever curse there might be on my family so one day my kids wouldn't have to go through it."

"I just happen to believe if you have a dream, nothing can stop you," he says. "I overcame a lot because I wanted to."

So I never get the chance to ask him about being a freak, his inner organs flip-flopped. Something called "situs inversus."

But that's all right. I already know Foye's heart is in the right place. And that's all that matters.

TJ Simers, LA Times

I typically have not liked Simers, but have enjoyed a few of his articles on the Clippers this year. It's great to get more insight into some stories that have been seldom told. Butler's and Foye's stories share grief and struggle, but from opposite sides of the track, thankfully they both made it to the same place in once piece.

Wow I didn't know Foye has had such a troubled life. That kinda shocked me.

mike3 wrote:Wow I didn't know Foye has had such a troubled life. That kinda shocked me.

I knew about his organs being reversed (e.g. heart on the right side) and possibly that his mother wasn't in his life, but nothing to the extent of the article. Randy is big in the community and he's always doing something for his foundation. For a person to have gone through what he has, it's wonderful to see that person rise above the limitations of the surroundings and become a success rather than a statistic. Some people give back merely for a tax write-off (not directed to any specific person) or for personal gain, but people like Randy give back to give others hope, confidence and encouragement. I have nothing but respect for that.

The people who grow from their adversities always give what was not given to them.

Props to Randy Foye, like him much more.

Nice article. Wow, I did not know about any of this. My respect for Foye just grew a lot. I'm glad he had the determination to overcome all of his obstacles. I think he will come up big for us against Memphis.

I think Foye is overlooked a lot for the work he's done, even just on the basketball court. He's been huge for us some games. But i've always liked him, now respect him even more, love a good success story. Great for young kids going through trouble, or just for any average person to follow the dreams no matter what.