LeBron and NBA All-Star Slam Dunk contest ~ You say "torn" but I hear "scared"

It's almost February.  Ok, technically January just started...  Regardless, I like to plan ahead.

February has 2 things of note.  The Super Bowl and the NBA All-Star game and festivities.

As I start to think about February, I saw a headline that LeBron was contemplating entering the NBA Slam Dunk contest, but had concerns about the wear and tear on his body.

Are you serious?!?!  Now, I never counted how many dunks they perform during the event, and I'm not about to look it up ~ but you have to be kidding me.  Wear and tear?!?!  Dunks?!?!  ****  Yes, I'm sure it takes something out of you to dunk.  No, I've never dunked a basketball. 

I'll tell you this.  I'm smart enough to know that the actual NBA All-Star game will take more out of him than the dunk contest.  Further, as a competitor, I believe that if LeBron really thought he could win ~ he'd compete.  Can ESPN.com, please spare us the LeBron is torn on dunk contest article?!!?  In addition in that article, LeBron pointed out the obvious in saying that Blake Griffin would have "home court" advantage (i.e. the All-Star festivities are in Los Angeles this year). 

So, am I supposed to believe that if LeBron's dunk was really better that the judges would cave and give it the title the rookie?!?!

Come on, now...  This isn't my first rodeo.  Looks to me like LeBron's scared to lose... 

To quote, Lil Jon and The East Side Boyz, "Bia, Bia"...  Yeah, I said it.  No idea what I'm talking about?  Here you go.

Lastly,  I haven't looked to see if he's dunking this year or not, but Nate Robinson has won the past two years. **** I took this picture of Nate Robinson dunking, when I was in Dallas for NBA All-Star weekend 2010. You try focusing on him when he's in motion with a point and shoot camera...

THE WIRK

NBA All-Star Saturday Night and the Player's Party ~ 2010 NBA All-Star Weekend, Dallas

Hmmm...  What happened on Saturday...  Well, I can tell you what I didn't do much of on Saturday ~ EAT.  I barely at anything.  I risked starvation and lived to tell.  I am, my own hero.

We ended up at the players' hotel, and once we were able to get through the lobby (i.e. not an easy task without the proper credentials and stamps) that's where I spent most of the afternoon chatting it up with anyone and everyone.

Incidentally, I was the only person "interested" (i.e. I use the term "interested" VERY loosely) in the Dayton v St. Louis men's basketball game that was being shown on one of the walls.  Unfortunately, the UD Flyers gave up a HUGE lead and St. Louis won. 

Running around the hotel from office to office, I eventually came across Chris Kaman and immediately recognized a likeness in appearance to Zydrunas Ilgauskas...  As far as I'm concerned, cutting his hair short is the BEST thing Chris Kaman could've done for himself.  Some people would argue that improving his game was the best thing he could've done for his career.  I disagree.  Am I the ONLY person who remembers what he looked like with his stringy locks flowing and bouncing up and down as he ran the court?  Ewww...  Aesthetics are important to me.  His hairdresser gets my vote for MVP.

I also saw Kevin Durant, and he was carrying a McDonald's bag.  I'm not going to lie, but I almost jumped him for his food.  Seriously...  David Stern would've had to replace KD on the roster, if I hadn't exercised self-control.

My friend and I eventually rolled out and went with one of her girls to an event for Kenyon Martin's foundation.  It was at the modern, furniture store Cantoni, which is located closer to the Galleria.  That reminds me ~ if you see me, ask me to tell you the Galleria rumor I heard...  OK - back to my story.  My friend is friends with Kenyon from the days when she used to work for the Nuggets.  I remember watching Kenyon when he played for the University of Cincinnati.  All I can say is Kenyon Martin is the BEST, since he had food ~ and I FINALLY had a chance to eat.  Thank you, Kenyon, for the hospitality and the grub.  You saved my life!!!

While at the benefit, I noticed a petite lady who looked familiar from TV and movies (e.g. Jerry Maguire, 227 <--  Yes, I wrote 227, etc.).  "She looks like Regina King," I said to Crystal.  "She is Regina King," was her response.  Hmmm...  Ok, that was easy ~ and my eyes are still good enough to pick people out of a crowd.  Regina looks great!

My friend and I make it back to the hotel and barely have time to catch our breath before we hit NBA All-Star Saturday night for the 3-point challenge, Slam Dunk, etc.  I meet Charles Smith (President of the NBA Retired Player's Association and one of the sources of my NY Knick broken heart) and Dale Ellis (I remember him as a Seattle Supersonic).  Charles Smith is tall.  I know tall.  BUT, for some reason Charles looks really tall.  The only thing I can think of is that it's because he's leaner than most of the NBA Players both active and retired.  I shook his hand and told him I was a huge fan.  This was not the time to bring up the bunny shots that he missed years ago...  He replied that my comments were showing my age.  Great reply.  Dale mentioned he lived in Atlanta and we started to chat it up about the city, before I got called to run to the bus to the arena, run towards the bus, and abandon the Dale and the conversation.

We get to the American Airlines Center and who do we see on the concourse?  Ron Harper.  Quick "hello", and we sort of keep it moving.  Dikembe Mutombo walks by.  John Barry and Mike Breen walk by.  Who really needs a ticket?  If you're restless or have a bad ticket, hang on the concourse and you'll see all kinds of people.  Lucky for me, I had a good ticket.

I make it to my seat and survey the crowd.  It looks full, but it's a bit quiet.  Looks like I'm just in time for the 3 point contest.  I survey the seating by the court and notice Bill Russell is there.  Immediately, I'm reminded that he didn't stop when I saw him at Dulles and asked to have my picture taken with him.  I guess he's like that ~ but you still MUST respect his talent and all that he's achieved.

During one of the TV breaks, the Bulls' mascot was dancing to Beyonce's "Single Ladies" song, right in front of Jay-Z.  He wasn't amused, but the crowd was.

Jay-Z isn't amused

Spike Lee and Jamie Foxx

Paul Pierce won the 3 point contest and Nate Robinson won the Slam Dunk contest. Let's just put it out there. I recommend that they cancel the Slam Dunk contest until there's someone/something worth seeing. No offense to Nate ~ seriously, congratulations on the win ~ but many of the competitors dunks were boring. I would've loved to have seen Dominique Wilkins and Spudd Webb hold up a 5 for some of the dunks that were performed. Where was the showmanship and creativity?!?! Just like in schools, the Slam Dunk contest is suffering from "Grade Inflation". When are the judges going to stop giving away A's and B's?!?! Admittedly, I've never dunked ~ but I remember the greatness that I USED to see on TV.

After the Slam Dunk contest we headed back to the hotel to get ready for the NBPA party (i.e. the Players party) which was held at the player's hotel.

On the bus back to the hotel my friend and I were sitting behind Satch Sanders.  Do you know who he is?  I didn't.  She introduced me to him and he was very friendly.  Check out the following link...  The man is ACCOMPLISHED...  Only his teammates, Bill Russell and Sam Jones, have won more than his 8 Championship rings.  The man is a legend!  http://www.nba.com/celtics/history/WhereAreThey_Satch.html

Ticket to NBPA Party

Mary J Blige

I've seen Mary J Blige perform before, but I was excited to see her again. We passed, yet another challenge to get through the lobby and with another handstamp for me we were on our way. I saw Domnique Wilkins, Dale Ellis, Dikembe Mutombo, Chris Webber, etc. Ever see a 7 footer try to hide in a crowd?!?! It's hilarious. Poor Dikembe was trying to dodge every picture taker he could find. Enough was a enough, I guess.

Two things that were notable at the party.
1 - Question: What happens when there are about 10 girls sitting on a pool table and 8 of them get up?!?  Answer:  The corner with the other 2 people left sitting buckles and the foundation cracks.
2 - Question:  What happens when you don't have enough people working coat check and a HUGE party empties out and there is/are no line(s) established?  ANSWER:  A borderline riot.

A borderline riot.  Don't believe me?  Believe THIS.  Sooooooo, there was such a scene at coat check that the Dallas Police Department started yelling at people to back up, the hotel employees had to try to set up velvet ropes to simulate a line, and then some of the police/security began to acually take tickets and retrieve coats.  The coat check people were taking pictures of the crowd, and I'm sure some of them were filming it.  I should check youtube.com....

Once order was restored

OK - That's all I can recall about Saturday...  Saturday ~ the LONGEST day of the NBA All-Star Weekend...

Oh, one last thing ~ check out who I ran into after the players' party...  Too bad he didn't have any McDonald's on him that time....

W/Kevin Durant

THE WIRK

Knicks v Wizards; Earl Boykins v Nate Robinson ~ Wizards win!

When I was at lunch on Friday 2 people called me.  One was my girl, and she and I were finalizing plans for Saturday's Duke V Georgetown game.  The other was my friend, Bryan.  Bryan never calls me.  I didn't even know he had my phone number.  Maybe he pulled it off of facebook, maybe I gave it to him ages ago.  Who knows.  All I know is that he was calling me, but I was at lunch and not picking up.  I think I'm semi-psychic.  At lunch, I was trying to figure out why Bryan was calling, and sure enough my suspicions were confirmed when I checked my voicemails on Saturday morning.

Bryan is a sports fan also and he loves the Capitals and sure enough, he was calling to see if I wanted to go to the hockey game on Friday night.  I knew it.  That's why I didn't answer.  I already had "plans" for Friday and I didn't want to have to push myself to be anywhere at any particular time.

When people contact me (especially if they're calling me) who don't normally contact me ~ I know why they're getting in touch.  Usually, it's because they have an extra ticket to something.  Lately, I've been lucky enough to get these calls more frequently.  On Saturday afternoon around 5:00PM I was driving my friend back to her car and we'd decided we were going to see the movie The Blindside, instead of taking in the Knicks v Wizards game.  Sure enough in the parking deck, I get a text and it's Bryan and this time he's offering me a free ticket to the same Knicks v Wiz game I'd just decided to pass on.  @!#$%#$#!@#$.  I guess I'm meant to go to this game, since it was the 2 time someone offered me a seat.

I call Bryan for the details and talk to my friend, who's pulled over, so I can work out the plan.  We decide to pass on the movie and I tell Bryan that I'm IN for the game.  Time to go home and drop off my car...

Bryan picks me up around 7.  We get there close to tip off since everyone is driving slow and the roads aren't cleared.  He decided to park by the arena and tells me he used to valet at Rosa Mexicano also!  LOL.  See.  I'm not the only one!!!!!  Parking is $25 and we'll pay at the end.

We go to will call.  He goes to pick up our tickets, and I hit the sales window to ask about hockey tickets for Sunday.  Only singles are available.  It's not that important to me, so I pass.  Bryan hands me the basketball tickets, that he's been gifted from a friend, and I read Section 121, Row A.  Yep.  I know EXACTLY where we are sitting.  We're 4 rows (i.e. it goes AA, BB, CC, and then A) behind the Knicks bench.  That's where I sat when the Cavs came to town during the Playoffs...  Section 121 is my friend.

OK - so we're there for the Knicks and the Wizards.  I have no idea what their team records are, but basically we're there to watch CRAP v CRAP.  Hmmm ~ at least they're evenly matched.  I like Earl Boykins, and Earl plays for the Wizards.  I remember when he was in Cleveland and talking to my ex in the lobby at Reserve Square.  I didn't know who Earl was, and I thought he was just a fan.  After the convo, I asked my ex who it was he that was talking to, and when he said Earl ~ I was floored.  Man....  They weren't kdding.  Earl is short.  Thank goodness he played for the Cavs when he did then, because I have a pair or 2 of Cavs sweatpants and they're Earl-sized so they "fit".  Kinda.... 

Cavs...  Now that reminds me, that I need to call the Wizards and leave a message for Randy Wittman.  Randy did a stint as head coach in Cleveland, and it wouldn't hurt to reintroduce myself and let him know that I'm here.  His wife, Kathy, is great and better late than never to "welcome" them to DC.

Knicks.  I used to be a huge Knicks fan.  In college, I was desperate to have Ewing sign my Knicks pennant.  Yeah, I said college.  I had Charles Oakley, Hubert Davis, etc. sign that pennant.  Herb Williams even signed the thing TWICE.  TWICE!  Are you serious?  TWICE?!?!  I just depreciated my own pennant.  #@!@#@!#@!#@!  Ewing never signed it, and 2 Herb Williams' autographs do NOT equal a EWING.  At first from behind the Knick bench I stare daggers at Herb.  Then I let up.  It's not HIS fault I was dumb enough to give him the pennant 2 different times.

Whatcha looking at Herb?  Yeah, I see you...

Oh here's a story for you.  So, I was in college and leaning over the rail to the tunnels to have the Knicks sign my pennant after their pregame warm-ups.  It was at Richfield Colisseum.  Some parent asked me if his/her (I don't remember if it was a mom/dad) could get in front of me to have a better chance of getting an autograph.  My response was simple,  "No.  I'm sorry.  I can't do it.  Your kid is young and has many more chances to get the autograph.  My days are numbered."  It was what it was, and if that parent wanted the kid to get the autograph, then he/she should've gotten there earlier.  Life's not fair kid.  Sorry.

So game starts, and my friend and I talk about the line.  The line was either 1.5 or 2 or 2.5, but he said that NY was favored.  That made no sense to me.  I take the Wizards and he takes the Knicks.  Loser pays for parking.  Wizards win easily, and therefore I win.  Bryan pays for parking. 

D'Antoni is either drawing up plays or the Knicks are playing Pictionary...  I'm not sure...

So all in all the game was a little boring, but I can have fun doing just about anything.  I had Bryan sitting to my right, and we had the chance to chat it up.  The company was good. 

With Bryan after the game

The girl to my left was yelling and cheering for the Knicks, and she was obviously oblivious as to the score.  I swear my left ear was bleeding.  Mike Miller was on fire, and David Lee also played well.  Larry Hughes can't even be bothered to get into the huddle during time outs.  I'm reminded that Duhon plays for the Knicks.  I wondered if he was at the Duke game earlier in the day.  Nate Robinson has 2 or 3 open breaks, and the crowd audibly held their collective breath (each time he broke free) as they eagerly anticipated a dunk...  Nate didn't deliver on the monster dunk.  I debated on if I wanted a refund.

Yeah, Larry...  We, in the crowd, really don't care either...

I spent most of the game trying to get the best shot of Earl and Nate I could.  They look so cute compared to their larger, taller teammates!  I know that's a lame statement, but seriously.  It just shows you than anyone can do anything as long as he/she works hard enough ~ and that's a lesson we ALL need to learn.

Earl Boykins and Nate Robinson

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As I typed this,  I got a text from someone in the Cleveland...  There are 5 home games in the next 9 days.  Interesting...  BUT, that's not gonna work.  I just booked my flight earlier today for Miami to see my brother and be on the ground for the Super Bowl festivities...  Now...  I just need to sell a kidney to get a ticket to the game...  GO COLTS!!!!


THE WIRK