Team USA Men's and Women's Basketball shows Military Appreciation in DC

Saturday Team USA held a Military Appreciation event at the DC Stadium Armory.  Nike gave away "Hoops for Troops" blue T-shirts and the event was a terrific way for Team USA's Men's and Women's Basketball teams to show their appreciation towards those who serve the USA. 

Approximately 3,100 tickets were distributed and the crowd was thrilled to see our nation's finest basketball athletes work through drills, participate in a scrimmage, and a few selected lucky ducks were able to compete in a skills challenge with their favorite member of the team!

What a great event for the Nike World Basketball Festival, the DC Armory, and Team USA!

Kobe being Kobe



Durant and Westbrook laugh with LeBron

I hope you enjoy the great shots of fan favorites, Kobe Bryant and LeBron James (i.e. along with Washington DC's own Kevin Durant).  These guys may compete with different jerseys during the better part of the year, but in international competition, they're definitely UNITED.

Other notables who attended the event were Lenny Wilkens, Gheorghe Muresan, and the Georgetown University Hoyas' own: Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning, and Coach John Thompson (Senior).

Team USA (both men and women) will take on Brazil at the Verizon Center on Monday, July 16.  The women play first and the men are slated to start at 8PM.

Update (July 16): According to my contact, there are only 2 single tickets available in the lower bowl for tonight's match-ups.  The price is $784/ticket.


THE WIRK

The Goodman League at Barry Farms for Nike World Basketball Festival

Barry Farms...  Have you ever heard of it?  I hadn't, but then again, I'm not a native of the DMV.  When my friend, Teri, mentioned the event, I wanted to check it out...  Those of you, that read this blog, know that I'm always up for anything sports-related, especially basketball.  With the Nike World Basketball Festival in town, I ventured over to the court to catch The Goodman League in action. 

My friends and I watched the Goodman League take on a team from New York.  If I remember correctly, they played two 20-min halves.  Unfortunately the DC team lost, but it was a fun time out and chance to see the newly, redone basketball court.

John Thompson Sr. was there at the beginning to take in the action.  Kevin Durant and James Harden showed up as well.

Now, I just need to check out the competition at Rucker Park and my summer basketball experiences will be close to complete!

For those of you that are curious, above is a panoramic picture of court.


THE WIRK

Dear Russell Westbrook: Stop sabotaging the Thunder

I'm trying to update my blog since I've been traveling, but I just want to know one thing.

Why does Russell Westbrook think he's the star of the Oklahoma City Thunder?

Kevin Durant needs to grab Westbrook and DEMAND the final shot.  This is getting ridiculous.  NOW, Thunder fans need to grind out overtime with the team against the Memphis Grizzlies.  Terrible.

I like Westbrook, but this is getting crazy.

I'm convinced that this series just might kill my friend, Ricky...  ****  This is a picture he sent me from one of the playoff games in Oklahoma City. 

Update:  I just received a text from Ricky, who is in Memphis and it read, "Win or lose, best game ever attended".

Update:  Whew!  Let's not do that again. #Thunder defeat the #Grizzlies 133-123 after 3 overtimes.  #Thunderup

THE WIRK

Thunder take a 3-0 lead over the Nuggets ~ My 1st visit to the Pepsi Center

I finally made it to the Pepsi Center for Game 3 of the Oklahoma City Thunder v Denver Knicks game (i.e. just kidding!!!).  Actually, it's the Denver Nuggets.  I couldn't resist making the joke. 

I arrived at the Pepsi Center early and decided just to park close to the arena for $15. As I waited with other NBA fans til about 6:45PM to get into the building for an 8PM start, the smell of buttered popcorn wafted outside.  Yes, I was sold.  I bought popcorn the minute I walked in.  A girl has to eat, right?

Sporting my new Nuggets hat (i.e. less than $20 from the team store) I went to my seat.  Everyone in the arena had a light blue Nuggets rally towel waiting for them on his/her seat.  Nice.  I save those towels and use them as kitchen towels.

As I watched the pre-game shoot around and warm-ups, I watched J.R. Smith and his teammates shoot trick shots.  Smith's final shot was a full court heave towards the basket and it went IN.  Ending on a high note, Smith ran into the tunnel to get ready for the game.  ****  Who knew this would foreshadow the outcome of the evening's game?

As the pregame festivities went on, I was reminded that the cartoon, South Park, is set in Colorado by Cartman on the jumbotron.  Too funny!

Nuggets fans are passionate about their team.  They cheered as the Nuggets battled the Thunder, but there were a good number of Thunder fans present at the game.  It was good to see all the Nuggets old school jerseys and T-shirts with "English" on the back.  ****  I met NBA Legend, Alex English, a couple of years ago during the All-Star break, and he was a nice guy.

Whenever I looked at the scoreboard it always seemed as though Kevin Durant and the Thunder were up about 6-8 points.  Whenever I looked towards the court, it seemed like either Russell Westbrook or Kevin Durant was talking to a ref and complaining.  I like Durant and Westbrook, but nobody likes a whiner.  Sorry.  I call it like I see it.  Maybe that's why BOTH Durant and Westbrook were called for technical fouls. 

Regardless, the game was a little chippy and there was a good degree of physicality during the game.  However, physical basketball and a good degree of banging on the court is to be expected ~ especially during the NBA playoffs.

Nuggets fans (i.e. sitting near me in the lower bowl) were convinced the Denver was going to nab Game 3.  Unfortunately, for them, this wasn't the case.  I disagree with the 4 guys in their 20s who were sitting in front of me.  I don't believe that you can blame the Nuggets' defeat on the George Karl's rotation.  I believe that you can attribute the loss to the lack of effectiveness from Al Harrington, Raymond Felton, and anyone else who didn't grab an offensive rebound.

As the Nuggets fought back to close the Thunder lead, the fans at the Pepsi Center were on their feet.  With about 40 seconds left in the game, and the Thunder up about 6-8 points, some Nuggets "unfaithful" started to exit the building.  I find it ironic that the girl behind me (i.e. who looked like she was in her mid-20s) was the one who said, "I don't know why everyone is leaving.  40 seconds is a lot time in the NBA."  THAT is a girl who knows her stuff.

Final thought: The Nuggets fought back and cut the lead to 3 in the final seconds of the game.  The refs should've called the foul against the Thunder, as J.R. Smith took his final 3-point shot in the closing seconds of the game.  A foul is a foul, REGARDLESS of when it occurs during a game.  Nuggets' fans seemed to agree with me, since the "Boos" were very loud and lasted for a few seconds when the game ended.

Smith deserved to shoot 3 free throws.  He was fouled.

The Nuggets had balanced scoring with numerous high scorers with 15 points.  Scott Brooks' Thunder squad is definitely gelling and Serge Ibaka was the player that really stepped up his game for the night.  Durant led the Thunder with 26.  Westbrook contributed 23, and Ibaka added 22. 

Final score 97-94.  The Thunder won.

Great all-around game for the Thunder!  It goes without saying that the Nuggets have their work cut out for them for Game 4, which is tonight at 10:30PM ET.

THE WIRK

NBA All-Star Game ~ Lenny Kravitz, Rihanna, Kanye, and Kobe as MVP

Sunday was the day for the NBA All-Star game and as I made my way to the Staples Center, I had 2 things in mind.  Take a picture of the TNT guys doing their thing and take a picture of the newly unveiled Jerry West statue. 

The West won the 2011 NBA All-Star game, even though LeBron James did his best to make up the difference and put the East in the lead.  Kobe Bryant played his heart out in front of the Lakers crowd to win MVP.

If you want to see players up close and can't afford a lower level ticket, here's a tip ~ get an upper level ticket and hang out on the main concourse.  There are plenty of players (current and retired) running around the concourse and taking pictures.  I had a lower level ticket, but when I went to the concourse to the concession stand, I saw "Big Baby" Davis, Gary Payton, etc. 

If you've never been to an NBA All-Star game and you're a music fan, you need to know that music is a large part of the weekend's festivities.  Josh Groban sang the national anthem.  Lenny Kravitz rocked out for the player intoductions.  Rihanna performed at half time with Drake and Kanye West.  Drake and Kanye were surprise guests.  People who had a ticket to the game, were treated to a mini-concert with these artists.  It was a special treat!

Enough about music, back to the game...

As for the game, the game was a good one.  Like I said, for most of the game, the West had a 15 point lead.  However, down the stretch the East (i.e. led by LeBron James) started to mount a comeback.  The final score was West 148, East 143.  For the East, both LeBron James and Amare Stoudemire dropped 29 points.  For the West, Kobe Bryant had 37 points and 14 boards.  Also for the winning team, Kevin Durant came up big with 34 points. 

Great game, great music, and great time!  Bring on Orlando...


THE WIRK

NBA All-Star Jam Session ~ Highlights

Ok, for those of you that are rookies when it comes to NBA All-Star or maybe on a budget, I recommend going to NBA All-Star Jam Session. There are different exhibits from various sponsors and ways to interact with current and former players. Depending on your energy level and patience you can spend hours there so plan accordingly.

If you’re someone interested in autographs there are different players signing at different times in different areas. Numerous opportunities are available for pictures too, if you’re lucky and in the right place at the right time.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from Jam Session.  I have a picture to scan and a video to upload, but until then ~ here you go!

If given a choice between Chris Bosh and the giraffe, I'm choosing the giraffe.

Popovich recruiting... Any means necessary to make the San Antonio Spurs younger...

When NBA All-Star came to Cleveland, the NBA 50 were announced

With Craig Hodges

I waited for Rajon Rondo to smile...  And waited...  And waited...

I'm a huge Kevin Durant fan.

Dream job!

While at Jam Session, I had the chance to try my hand at play-by-play announcing.  Check out the video!  What a fun experience!

THE WIRK

NBA All-Star Saturday ~ Practice

If you can’t go to the actual NBA All-Star game, definitely go to NBA All-Star practice. Practice was held Saturday morning at the Los Angeles Convention Center.  ****  This was the first time since the NBA All-Star festivities were held in Cleveland, OH that I went to watch practice.  I have been missing out!

The LA Convention Center hosted the NBA Jam Session.  If you’ve never been to NBA Jam Session, check it out. There are numerous opportunities to interact with players, complete various basketball drills, and celebrate the game of basketball etc. More on that in a later post.

Practice is a ticketed event. I suggest you get there early if you want to take pictures since the tickets designate a section only. It’s general admission within the sections.

The guys are pretty loose during practice and you can see the smiles on their faces. NBA All-Star weekend is a fun time for the fans and the athletes. Unlike in football, where it’s a challenge to get the athletes to play in the Pro Bowl, the NBA shows up and enjoys itself during the All-Star break. 

 Don’t believe me? Check out the smiles on the guys’ faces.

One funny moment during practice occurred when Doc Rivers, coach for the Eastern All-Stars, told Carmelo Anthony to stand in the middle of the court since he didn’t know whether he was playing for the West or the East. ****  Obviously this was before Monday’s trade that sent Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks and in the middle of the Melo-drama.

At any rate, practice was a good time and the teams performed various shooting drills. Towards the end of the practice Paul Pierce and Ray Allen established a record for 3-pointers by a tandem for the Guinness Book of World Records. Unfortunately for the Celtics duo, Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Durant promptly broke the record to claim it as their own.

After practice there was media availability. The media had a chance to go onto the court to talk to the players. Picture it. I liken it to the media version of “storming the court”.

THE WIRK

NBA All-Star Nike Party ~ Q-Tip, Kanye West, Kobe Bryant, etc.

Tickets and parking pass

Every year there are one or two parties that are special during the NBA All-Star weekend. I was fortunate enough to be given two tickets to the Nike Party. **** Thank you to Q-Tip and the Insideplaya!!! The Nike party was supposed to be held at Drai’s which from what I hear is an outdoor spot at the W Hollywood. When I arrived to pick-up the tickets, I was happy to see that the party was being set up in the lobby area (i.e. Living Room) of the hotel. The weather had been unpredictable with rain and wind, so an outdoor setting wouldn’t work.

I invited my friend Teri to join me at the party. There are very few occasions when I can take care of friends who take care of me for basketball, and this was one occasion where I could return the favor. **** If I offer you a ticket and you don’t accept it, because you think you can get a better offer ~ recognize that you’re going to the bottom of my list or will possibly unlisted in the future. I don’t deal well with people who think they can get a better offer, when I’m already offering you the BEST.

I knew Q-Tip would be spinning at the Nike party and that Kobe Bryant would be there. I had no idea that Kanye West would be performing. Talk about a surprise!

As we headed to the party, we passed the Music Box where Kenny “The Jet” Smith was holding his annual NBA All-Star party. There was a large group of people standing outside the venue trying to gain entry. As we approached the W Hollywood, Teri and I traded our tickets for wristbands and went to enter the party. There were 2 tents set-up outside. The first tent was more the metal detectors, and Teri and I skipped that line. The second tent was to get in, and there was a large crowd trying to get in. Teri went straight to the front of that line and I followed her. We passed, Suzy , from the TV show Basketball Wives. She too was trying to get in and skip the line. While waiting a few minutes, I saw Ne-Yo and what looked like 15 of his friends go in.

Dirk Nowitzki

As we went into the party, Teri went in one entrance and I went through another. I ended up going upstairs in an elevator and going across the floor and down the stairs to the main floor. This route gave me a very good lay of the land. As I went down the stairs, I saw Q-Tip, Dirk Nowitzki, Russell Westbrook, Ne-Yo, World Wide Wes, Brandy, Deron Williams and Ron Harper. Finally re-uniting with Teri, we went to the bar and I saw Rick Fox, Eliza Dushku, and Scottie Pippen (i.e. and his wife, Larsa, who will star on Real Housewives of Miami).

With Spike Lee

Spike Lee was in the house as well.

After I got my drink, I went over to see Q-Tip to thank him for giving me the tickets. I patiently waited for him to “break”, but the man was WORKING/WIRKING! He was killing it. Finally, I had my chance to say “Thank you” and formally introduce myself. I’ll never forget his big, warm smile. Of course he went back to work, and I went back to the party,

If you’ve never been to a Nike party, you need to go. Make no mistake, Nike knows how to throw a party. There were passed burgers, sushi, etc. in addition to the open bar. Food is hard to come by when you’re always on the go, so it was great to be able to eat a little bit at the party.

Jalen Rose

I’m not sure what time it was, but my friend Teri who was also planned to hit the ESPN party was sent a text that the ESPN party had ended. Too bad for those folks. The Nike party was just kicking into another gear. For the ESPN folks that could get in to the Nike party, it looks like decided to come on over. 

Kobe Bryant

Eventually Kobe Bryant (i.e. and his wife et al) showed up and took the table next to where I was near Q-Tip. Kobe’s Nike film played and Dirk Nowitzki flashed the “big L” (i.e. loser sign towards Kobe, but it was all in good fun). After that, Kanye West took the stage and performed. Kanye’s set was great. However, I must admit that I’m a huge Kanye West fan and I love watching him perform.

Kanye West performing

I saw the party as it was being set up and as the party ended I realized I would also be closing it down. I saw Kevin Durant again this year, and told him “Thunder Up”. He smiled. The last person I saw was Rajon Rondo, so I just reminded him that I saw him in the Bahamas over the summer.

Finally around 4AM, it was time to sleep.

**** Forgive the pictures. I read that no cameras would be allowed, so I left it in my hotel room. Had I known that I wouldn’t have to go through the metal detector, I would’ve brought it in. This is the best that my iPhone could do.

What a FANTASTIC party!

THE WIRK