A conversation with Caron about who inspired him to write another powerful book.
Congratulations on the new book! Can you tell us a little about why you decided to write it?
I went down a few lanes after I did my biography, Tuff Juice: My Journey from the Streets to the NBA. I still had that craving to write and tell stories, helping create parallels to our reality. I thought about some of the content that was out there and some of the core curriculum that we read in schools, things like The Outsiders and How to Kill a Mockingbird. Some of those stories are extremely dated and are not talking about current situations and how people deal with adversity. The new realities that children are dealing with and how they navigate through that space aren’t written about. Things like how young people deal with death, the “isms,” and adversity that they go up against every day.
That’s a great point. What sparked the stories in the book?
I wanted to tell a story about kids from all walks of life, from the inner-city to the suburbs. Anything from white, black, any color, touching on it from all angles. I had a basketball team called the Butler League Basketball Team which I manufactured and created. I saw these kids living their truth and their reality. I saw people die in the community, and I saw these kids become the new ancestors and lead in a remarkable way. I wanted to tell those stories. That’s what sparked the interest to do it and that’s why I moved the needle on it.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
I would have to say, my daughter. I’m inspired by all my kids because they’re all my best friends. My daughter was diagnosed with diabetes two years ago and just watching her deal with that adversity and watching how she’s making light out of everything; she’s just been remarkable. She’s shown incredible leadership and she’s become a leader in that space for JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation). She’s my inspiration and who I draw a lot of spirit from.
You’ve been an inspiration to many on and off the court. If there’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone looking to continue their personal growth in life, what would that be?
The creed of our organization at the Miami HEAT is always first time every time and getting 1% better. Since I was a rookie joining the HEAT, I’ve always taken that with me. Always find a way to get 1% better and move the needle in your process to become a better version of yourself. You’re not going to get microwavable success. It took me 42 years to be an overnight success. Trust that process and buy into that longevity of the process.
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