EITHER/OR: Today: Mario West

The Atlanta Hawks guard has a special relationship with Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston. Occasionally, he throws pizza parties for patients there, like he did last week. After autographing posters, handing out books and Hawks schedules and taking pictures with his young friends, he spoke to the AJC’s Darryl Maxie.

What’ll last longer — their memories of you or your memories of them?

“That’s really tough. I would hope that my memory would stick with them, that they’d have an impression of a wonderful man and a wonderful athlete, of somebody they can admire. Maybe someday, they’ll be able to give back in the same way, and I will have started them on that path. There are so many faces, so many names.”

More thankful for blessings given or blessings received?

“Definitely thankful to be able to give. That’s what it’s all about. That’s why they call it thanksgiving.

More gratifying — fan response at Philips Arena or children’s response here?

“It’s all the same to me. It’s unbelievable the amount of love and support you get. Sometimes somebody will come up and say, ‘You inspired me’ or ‘You motivated me.’ The feedback you get from fans and kids really humbles you.”

More fun — NBA parties or pizza party?

“This here is more personal. It’s all about the kids. It’s not a social situation where you do a lot of networking. You just want to see them smile. They could care less if you scored 20 points last night or if you didn’t play. They care less about your stats. They’re happy that someone from the NBA came on a level for them to see, eating pizza, laughing, joking. What you do in the NBA can come and go. Something really small can give so much more. Much more.”

What’ll happen first — that you’ll be visiting the sick or become sick of visiting?

“Never that. I never like to say never, but I’ll go on record saying I’ll never get tired of this. I may be expanding my role, connecting with other NBA players and bringing them.”