NEW YORK -- Between the 15th and 16th picks in Thursday nights draft came a very special selection by the NBA. Commissioner Adam Silver announced at that point that the NBA would let Isaiah Austin fulfil the dream of every young player, making him a ceremonial pick. Just over a week ago, the sophomore centre from Baylor was diagnosed with Marfan syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects the heart. It ended his playing career. The illness was discovered during a physical for the draft. "For Commissioner Silver to even invite me here was a tremendous blessing and it just shows how much class that man has," Austin said. "Its really been a tough week for me, and its been really rough. Ive just had a tremendous amount of support from everybody around the world, telling me theyre praying for me and everything. I cant thank everybody enough." The crowd at Barclays Center rose to its feet as Austin, sitting in the waiting area with most of the first-round picks, hugged family members and put on a generic NBA cap. He went up to the stage and posed with Silver, just as all the drafts picks do when they are called. During the season, the 7-foot-1 Austin revealed he had a prosthetic right eye after multiple operations couldnt repair a detached retina. Austin, expected to be a high pick when healthy, said he felt he has "a great story to share." He said Baylor coach Scott Drew has already offered him a coaching position with the Bears. "I have a whole life ahead of me," Austin said. "Im not going to sit here and Im not going to sulk about not being able to play basketball anymore, because I can still be involved with the game somehow or some way." Austin said there was plenty to enjoy on what would have been his draft day. "Just being around all the draftees and seeing my friends get drafted, it just brings joy in my heart because I know how hard we work to get to this point," Austin said. "Ive been through it. ... Just to see how people persevere through their own problems, because everybody has their own problems. Its touching and its heart-warming, really." Minutes after Austin made the walk across the stage, there were comments on social media. Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves tweeted: "Happy Isaiah Austin was able to hear his name called at the NBA draft. Very cool to see." The 1991 Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard tweeted: "Adam Silver hasnt been on the job 12 mos and is already doing a remarkable job! Very classy move. God bless Isaiah Austin." Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder tweeted: "Adam silver is such a classy man! Thats love right there. Im emotional for him. Damn I love that." Austin is already spreading his message of perseverance. 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That call was perfectly fine in my opinion, and the proper call. What I question is that Duchene was allowed to remain on the ice for the power play and Colorado scored almost immediately on this man advantage. If a player is in fact bleeding/injured as a result of the penalty, how can he be allowed to stay on the ice? Is there not a rule against this, or is there other reasons that Bogosian gets four other than drawing blood? Thanks for your time, and looking forward to your response. Gary Smart Miami, Manitoba -- Gary: Thank you for the kudos and being a regular follower of Cmon Ref. When a high-sticking infraction has been committed, the referee must determine if the presence of an injury exists before he assesses a double-minor penalty. Blood from a cut provides the most obvious evidence of injury. The quantity of blood needed to determine whether an injury has been suffered is not spelled out in Rule 60.3; simply stated that the referee shall assess a double-minor penalty for all contact that causes an injury, whether accidental or careless, in the opinion of the referee. Typically, referees do not look deep into a players mouth to find the presence of blood but broken teeth or chicklets being spit out are clear evidence of injury. Matt Duchene took a pretty solid whack in the mouth when Zach Bogosian accidentally clipped him with the raised shaft of his stick. Referee Tom Kowal obviously saw the presence of blood on the lower lip of Duchene and determined that a double-minor was warranted. What the replay doesnt show is if Duchene went to his bench to receive some quick medical attention or at the very least to wipe away the evidence of blood before assuming his position at right wing on the end zone face-off. To answer your question, the NHL does have a blood rule (88.dddddddddddd3): A player who is bleeding or who has visible blood on his equipment or body shall be ruled off the ice at the next stoppage of play. Such player shall not be permitted to return to play until the bleeding has been stopped and the cut or abrasion covered (if necessary). It is required that any affected equipment and/or uniform be properly decontaminated or exchanged. I would suggest that Matt Duchene likely suffered an abrasion. I would have insisted that Duchene have any evidence of blood removed from his mouth prior to participating on the power-play; which referee Kowal might very likely have done. Duchene would therefore be eligible to take his position without any delay caused by medical treatment at his players bench. Play was stopped due to Winnipeg gaining puck possession on the delayed penalty call to Bogosian and not due to an injury suffered by Duchene. Had Duchene lain on the ice and play was stopped as a result of an apparent injury, he would have to be substituted for and could not remain on the ice until play had resumed (Rule 8.3). At that point he could re-enter the game on the fly through a legal line change or at the next stoppage. Each referee will exercise his opinion or judgment, if you will, as to the legitimacy of any suspected injury. I have had players appeal for a double-minor to be assessed when all they had was a slightly swollen lip or a minor abrasion. I didnt bite on a lack of evidence such as this and have told some players I suffered a worse cut shaving than the one they were attempting to sell me. Speaking of biting, I shared a story on Twitter the other night from a game I worked in the old Spectrum in Philadelphia when Murray Craven was attacking the net with a defender giving chase. I saw Murray chomp down on his lip at least three times after the defenders stick slapped him on the pants. When play stopped, Craven had a little trickle of blood on his lip along with evidence of teeth marks. Needless to say Muzz didnt draw the call; only his own blood. When I told him that I saw him inflicting his own wounds his response to me was, You cant blame a guy for trying. It doesnt take a medical degree to determine the presence of injury before assessing a double-minor penalty; just some common sense and on occasion a little investigative work. Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping NFL Jerseys From China China Jerseys Jerseys Wholesale Wholesale Jerseys From China China NFL Gear Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping ' ' '