More on Camacho

The news story in the sports section of the Sept. 13, 2002, issue of the Toronto Sun was headlined "The Dream likely over" and it speculated on Hakeem (The Dream) Olajuwon’s possible retirement from the National Basketball Association (NBA) because of a bad back and "accelerated degeneration in most of his joints."

It was months before the start of the 2002-03 season. As it turned out, Olajuwon never got to play for the Toronto Raptors and this year, he was finally released by the club.

The picture that accompanied the story showed Olajuwon lying on his chest, undergoing a back massage. Treating Olajuwon in the picture was Jerome Camacho, a Filipino who just a month ago was appointed the Raptors assistant athletic therapist. Camacho, 28, joined the Raptors as an intern three years ago.

The Star profiled Camacho in a feature last Sunday.

In an email, Camacho related his most unforgettable experience with the Raptors.

"During a road trip, I had to cover for the head therapist," he said. "Picture this. I was a rookie then with the team and I wasn’t even certified at the time. My national exam was coming up a couple of weeks later. Anyway, I had the huge task of getting the guys taped up and ready for a game against San Antonio. Huge because it was with an NBA team and not a university or high school team.

"So the game is being played and I’m sitting on the bench behind the coaches when we all noticed Vince (Carter) limping on the court and signaling to be substituted. Right away, I’m guessing a contusion or a strain on his calf, based on how he was limping and seeing that the other therapist, sitting next to the coach and has seniority over me, was going to check him out when all of a sudden, the assistant coach says, ‘Jerome, you got this one.’ I’m like ‘oh, s...’ This game is being broadcast nationwide. I get on the court sideline where Vince has sat down in pain and I tend to his injury knowing all the cameras are on us. I’m saying to myself, ‘Don’t mess this up, Jerome, because millions of people are watching.’ I end up taking him to the locker room and it was all over. Whew. Guess what everyone told me when we got back? Our color commentator plugged my name on the air, mentioning how he once asked if I was related to Hector (Macho) Camacho and I was on the front page of the sports section helping Vince up. Everything went well but what a nerve-wracking experience it was for me having just gotten out of school and having zero experience with a pro team."

Camacho said he sometimes hangs out with the players. "Off the court, these guys are just like everybody else," he continued. "They got lives, too. I’ve gone out in public with a lot of our players and I can understand how tough their lives can be sometimes. They get asked the same questions over and over again. You know, comments about their height, getting asked for autographs. Guess it’s a small price to pay for the celebrity status. It’s definitely an amazing experience working with a pro team."

As for the Raptors chances this year, Camacho said the team is ready to do whatever it takes to top the Eastern Conference. "The guys are healthy and our new coaching staff is doing a terrific job getting the players ready," he added. "You know what they say, it’s always the team with the best D that wins in the end. It’s still early in the season and who knows what changes or trades might happen before we get into the playoffs."

Camacho isn’t the only Filipino connection in the Raptors organization. Director of player personnel Jim Kelly is married to a Filipina, Lucy, and was once a Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) coaching consultant and TV broadcaster. Scout Walker Russell was a former PBA import. Center Mengke Bateer has squared off with Filipinos in several Asian competitions. Reserve guard Rick Brunson, like Walker, played in the PBA.

And coach Norman Black was recently appointed a Raptors stringer scout. It was Black who tipped us off on Camacho being a Filipino.

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