Seraphin honours France
NEW YORK: New York forward Kevin Seraphin paid tribute to his French homeland with an inspired performance on Sunday, helping the Knicks to a 95-87 NBA win over New Orleans just two days after Friday’s attacks in Paris.
The 26-year-old Seraphin scored 12 points while sporting a “Paris” haircut with the image of the Eiffel Tower and a peace sign shaved on his scalp.
Seraphin, who was born in Cayenne, French Guiana, made the most of his 13 minutes on the floor in front of a crowd of 19,800 at Madison Square Garden.
“I just wanted to do something creative, something different,” said Seraphin regarding his haircut, “not just put something on my shoes. I had no time to get a tattoo or anything, so I just wanted to do something creative.
“I got it done this [Sunday] morning. I got up early and my barber came over and we just did it. It took about an hour.”
Seraphin was acquired by New York over the summer as a free agent after spending five years with the Washington Wizards.
His parents live in Paris and he owns a home in the southern part of city.
The Knicks were led by forward Carmelo Anthony’s 29 points and 13 rebounds, but it was Seraphin and fellow reserve, point guard Langston Galloway, who had the clutch performances.
Galloway scored 15 points, eight in the decisive fourth quarter that allowed the Knicks to win just their second home game of the season.
“He [Seraphin] gets the game ball,” said Anthony. “He deserved it. He was ready. He was a big part of our run that we made in the second half.”
The Los Angeles Lakers were among the teams around the NBA to hold a moment of silence remembering victims of the Paris attacks.
The team also held a pre-game ceremony honouring the Americans who helped thwart a terror attack on a train in France in August.
One of the men recognised, US Air Force Airman Anthony Sadler, was thrilled to meet Lakers star Kobe Bryant.
“That’s my favourite player and we just got to meet him. I’m star-struck right now,” said Sadler, who saw the Lakers down the Detroit Pistons 97-85.