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

Dirk or LeBron ~ Who needs an NBA championship more?

I was playing on Facebook earlier and noticed that my friend, Trey Harris, posed an interesting question.  His status read, "Heat vs. Mavs is starting to bounce around inside my head. Whose career needs a championship more? Dirk or LeBron?"

Immediately I started to type.  Here's the exchange.

Me: "No one really expected/expects Dirk to do anything. That's why everyone sounds so amazed when he drops 40+.  LeBron is the idiot who counted championships on his HANDS before a single game.  LeBron needs the championship more."

Trey: "True, Lebron is expected to win. But Dirk & the Mavs have underachieved for so long, this could very well be their last shot. I think it'll be a hell of a series either way."

Me: "Agree, Trey. but in terms of need for a championship for his career/legacy - it's LeBron.  If you're talking about this year SPECIFICALLY, then Dirk for the reason you stated ~ but it won't matter in the eye of the public if Dirk is like Ewing and Barkley and never wins a ring."

Trey: "Sarah, you make a good argument comparing Dirk to Ewing & Barkley (and it killed me that Ewing never got a ring). He'll still be a great player. But Lebron is the golden child. And "The Decision" still hangs over his head. He has more time to win but the expectations are way through the roof. Ayo, shout me out in the blog!"

Well, here you go!  What do all of you think?  Sure, we're jumping the gun and making some assumptions since the Eastern and Western Conference Finals aren't over yet, but it's definitely something for you all to think about as the crucial Game 5s approach.


THE WIRK

ESPN 30 for 30: Winning Time: Reggie Miller vs the Knicks ~ Watch it

****  I saw this poster when I was in Indianapolis for the Baltimore Ravens v Indianapolis Colts AFC Wildcard game, November 16, 2009.  Before the Colts game, I went with a friend to watch the New Orleans Hornets play the Indiana Pacers.  We only stayed at Conseco Fieldhouse for a short time (i.e. because of the football game).  I never knew I'd need this picture, until tonight.

I just finished watching ESPN's 30 for 30 "Winning time: Reggie Miller vs. the New York Knicks"... 

I was never a Reggie Miller fan, but boy did my all into supporting Patrick Ewing and the New York Knicks.  "He's never going to win it for you," was what my dad would say about Patrick Ewing and the Knicks.  Man, til this day I can hear my dad's voice saying that sentence.  He was right, but that's not the point of this post.

The year was 1985...

Originally a Lakers fan, my happiness during the NBA playoffs lived and died with the Knicks in the mid 80s-90s...  ****  Ever since Georgetown lost to Villanova in 1985, I was a Ewing fan.  When Ewing went to the Knicks, I (i.e. my heart and part of my NBA loyalty) went to the Knicks.

As I watched the 30 for 30 episode, I laughed to myself.  The relationship between Cheryl and Reggie Miller remind me of me and my brother.  As an older sister my brother and I would always compete.  I think the fact that we're similar in age forced us to be assertive and put a fire in both of us to succeed.  As I watched, I started to chuckle and sent my brother a text.  It said, "Watching ESPN 30 for 30.  Cheryl and Reggie Miller remind me of you and me.  Is it tough to live in my shadow? Hahaha.  Just kidding!" Needless to say, my brother has yet to reply.

As I watched the episode, so many memories came flooding back.  If you show me a score of 58-70, with the Pacers losing to the Knicks, I know what happens.  Reggie is going to start launching 3s.  ****  As I continued to watch clips of Reggie draining 3s, I started to feel sick.

All the footage from the Knicks and Pacers battles on the court, reminded me of the physicality that used to be part of the game.  How could Rik Smits not be considered soft in those days with warriors on the floor that weren't afraid to make contact on their way to the hole?!?  I'm not going to lie.  Admittedly, watching all the contact, jersey pulling, head butts, etc. has me fired up right now.
 
1995, 8 points in 9 seconds...  With 18.7 seconds left ~ Reggie wanted a quick 3 and everyone knows it.  The Pacers were down 99-105.  It was Reggie's time.  Reggie shot and drained a 3. On the inbounds play, Reggie stole the ball, went behind the arc, and launched ANOTHER 3.  105-105.  TIED GAME.  John Starks was at the line with a chance to give the Knicks the lead.  John Starks at the line: Clang 1. Starks shoots the 2nd: Clang X2...  Did you hear "clangs 1 and 2"?  Everyone who loved basketball did. 
 
Next thing you knew Reggie Miller was fouled and made both of his free throw.  The Pacers won Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Semis with a score of 107-105.  GAME OVER.  "John Starks choked," was the quote I heard from Reggie.  To be honest, he was right.  I was never a fan of John Starks either.  He was way too streaky for me.
 
Knicks found themselves down 3-1 in the series, but would win Game 5 (i.e. thanks to Ewing and the refs for not calling traveling).  and Game 6.  Game 7 would be at Madison Square Garden, and the winner would face Orlando for the Eastern Conference Finals.  
 
With 5 seconds left.  The Knicks were down 95-97.  Everyone knew the ball was going to Ewing.  Ron Harper inbounded the ball to Ewing.  Ewing turned at the top of the key (i.e. everyone including the big man expected contact).  Instead of going strong to the hoops and even dunking, Ewing laid the ball up and the ball RIMMED OUT...  Ewing went down with his ship, and immediately my heart sank.  ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!?!  I called my dad who was "watching the game with me", to talk it over.  I was so shocked and inconsolable.  Like I said earlier, my dad always told (i.e. and continues to tell) it to me "straight".  He never believed Ewing would win the title with the Knicks.
 
Ultimately, the Pacers defeated the Knicks at the Game 7 at the Garden, but it wasn't the Conference Final.  Both the Pacers have yet to win a NBA Championship (i.e. since 1973).  If Ewing couldn't win it all, at least Reggie didn't win one either...

"8 points in 9 seconds,"  wow ~ that phrase still excites and nauseates me.  Absolutely AMAZING.  Here's a clip of the play(s) that I found on Youtube.



**** Do me a favor, if you liked this post or any other of the posts in this blog, please go to the upper right hand corner of this blog and vote for me for Blogger of the Year. It only takes a second. Thanks!

 
THE WIRK

Magic defeat the Wizards thanks to Dwight Howard's last shot

I came back to the DC area after hanging out with my family for Thanksgiving.  It was an early morning.  I was up at 4AM and slept most of the afternoon away, once I made it back.  I had a feeling my friend, Mandy would call about the Orlando Magic v Washington Wizards game tonight, so I decided to stay in town.  Sure enough a little before 6PM, my phone rang and I hauled my lifeless body to the Verizon Center for the game.

Tip off was at 7PM and I arrived at the arena 10 minutes before the hour.  Mandy had a ticket for me, but I wasn't sure where it'd be.  ****  I'm a bit of a ticket snob.  I expect a good seat when I go to a game, and I'm willing to make sure I have one.  Since I had a few minutes, I decided to scalp a ticket.  The first guy I talked to refused $50 for a ticket in section 120.  That's fine.  The next guy showed me a ticket in section 119, row E.  Face value was $125.  I offered him $50, and next thing you knew, we had a deal.

I texted Mandy that I was good and into the building I went.  Turns out that she and her friends were in section 118.  Perfect.  As I watched the 1st half, it finally hit me late in the 1st quarter that John Wall wasn't playing.  Um, yeah.  Like I said, it's been a long day.  Guess I'll have to go to another game.  ****  Oh, I know ~ I'll go and catch the new look New York Knicks (i.e. with Amare Stoudemire) when they come to town. 

Another thing I noticed was that Gilbert Arenas was playing tonight.  I can't honestly remember the last time I've seen Gilbert in uniform and playing.  He had a great game tonight.  He tallied 31 points.  On one possession Gilbert took a shot and the man on my left told his daughter, "4 years ago, he would have made that shot."  Wow.  What can I say though?  The man spoke the truth.

The game was much closer in the 2nd half, but Mandy et al and I watched the 3rd quarter from The Greene Turtle.  It was our chance to catch up, since I hadn't seen her since I was in Phoenix for the NBA Playoffs.

We went to watch the 4th quarter and the game was definitely tighter.  Incidentally, the line was Washington +7.  I told my friend, I'd take the points if I was him.  Without John Wall, and after the victory over Miami, I figured that the Magic would win, but that the game would be competitive.  Needless to say, I was correct.

After the game, we took our visitor passes and headed to the tunnel to greet the Orlando Magic.  Patrick Ewing walked by, but I've met him numerous times before so I wasn't going to bother him.  He signed a basketball for someone and whoever that person is better realize just how lucky he/she is to have a Ewing autograph.  ****  When I was in college I tried a number of times to get him to sign my Knicks pennant and was always unsuccessful.  However, since I've run into him and talked to him a number of times, I don't feel pressed to make contact again.

I saw J.J. Redick and Chris Duhon and contemplated taking a picture with them, but the more I thought about it ~ I'm "Duke'd" out after all the games I've seen.  I'm actually going to see the Duke v Butler match-up on Saturday (i.e. next week).  My brother is a Duke alumnus...  I'm good.

Alex Ovechkin was at the game sitting courtside. Coincidentally, Vince Carter was also sitting courtside on the Magic's bench, since he's injured (i.e. knee).

The rest of the Orlando Magic eventually trickled out of the locker room, and last but not least, Dwight Howard came out to the tunnel.  Finally, I took a good picture with him and that was all she wrote.

Great night out.  Magic defeated the Wizards with a score of 100-99.  Dwight Howard's put back was the difference, since the Wizards couldn't convert on their final possession.  Dwight Howard finished with 32 points and 11 rebounds.

Not a bad night at all...

THE WIRK

Isiah Thomas dreaming of a return to the Knicks is my nightmare

So I eased into the day today and eventually checked the headlines on ESPN.com and noticed that there is a story about Isiah Thomas posted.  I haven't been a fan of Isiah Thomas for many, many years now for a multitude of reasons (e.g. allocation of minutes for a particular center in the Atlanta NBA All-Star game, destruction of the once highly respected New York Knicks, foolish bravado).  However, since my morning started off good, I thought I'd read the article.

Evidently, Isiah is "itching" for a return to the Knicks.  Fan-tas-tic...  ****  For those of you that don't know me that well, or can't hear my voice when you read my words, that's SARCASM.  Are you even kidding me?  He might be itching, but if he actually returns to the Knicks I might vomit or go into a rage like no other. 

Honestly, how self-unaware can an individual be?  How can he not realize what he did to that team?  Does he not recall all the "Fire Isiah" posters and the rallies, petitions from New York Knicks season ticket holders requesting refunds?  I will tell you right now, that I used to love the New York Knicks.  I was a huge Patrick Ewing fan.  In fact, the Georgetown Hoyas losing to Villanova Wildcats in 1985 still devastates me til this day.  I rooted for Ewing, Oakley, Starks, Mason, and yes even Charles Smith (i.e. until he missed those bunny shots) for YEARS.  Despite my dad telling me that the New York Knicks would never win me an NBA Championship, I stood by that team when Reggie Miller made the choking signs Jordan went "Jordan" on them.

Isiah's reign at Madison Square Garden is something I'd like to forget.  In my quest to make it to every professional sporting venue for basketball, baseball, and football ~ would you believe I have yet to make it to a New York Knicks home game?  I've seen the Big East semifinals and a New York Rangers game, but I have yet to watch my once beloved Knicks.  I can't bring myself to do it, and New York is close enough where I can make a day trip out of it. 

I really should check the Knicks' schedule now that Amare Stoudemire is on the squad and the season looks to have more promise....  ****  OK, I just checked the schedule and it looks like the Washington Wizards are visiting the Knicks tonight ~ but there's no way that I can make it to the game in time, with the travel that would need to occur.  Yeah, that's just how my life works sometimes ~ but I'm fine with it, since I'm not really a Wizards fan.  I just need to check out John Wall eventually this year...  It's a long season.   I need to pace myself.

Back to Isiah and his delusions.  Am I really supposed to believe that if Isiah was the president of the Knicks that LeBron James and maybe Dwyane Wade would be wearing New York Knicks jerseys?!?!  Seriously?!?!  Really?!?!  Come on, now.  It's no secret how I feel about LeBron taking his talents to South Beach, and I don't want to start fighting a bunch of New Yorkers who believe that the New York is the greatest place on Earth to play sports ~ but of all things that factored in free agency this year, I doubt that the lack of Isiah Thomas' leadership played a factor.  I'd bet on it.

I don't know what kind of power Isiah Thomas has over James Dolan, but it's sickening.  The fact that Dolan appears to have a short-term memory with regard to Isiah's performance and still tried to bring him on as a consultant is bewildering to say THE LEAST.  It's almost like a co-dependent, abusive boyfriend-girlfriend relationship where both parties kick the crap out of each other, but never officially end things because they're too connected.  It's CRAZY. 

Even if Isiah has basketball merit, the man already cost the organization millions of dollars in a sexual harassment case.  I mean, come on....  What else is left for him to do?  Oh, that's right ~ he's the missing link in the Knicks recruitment of top NBA talent and the reason why the LeBron is LeGone...

Give me a break.


THE WIRK

Is/Was the NBA draft lottery rigged? Depends on who you root for...

The multi-million dollar question this time of year is: Is the NBA lottery rigged?

The correct answer is NO, and I'm inclined to believe it NOW.  However, "back in the day," or when it counts, you better believe I'd argue YES.  People like me who were Patrick Ewing fans and were/are New York Knick fans remember 1985 fondly.  The New York Knicks were the winner of the lottery in 1985 and selected Georgetown University standout Patrick Ewing, with their first overall pick.  Conspiracy theorists believe that the NBA had rigged the lottery so that the Knicks would be assured to get the first pick.  Back then envelopes were used to determine the picking order.  This method was highly criticized, and replaced by the weighted lottery system in 1990.

Was the envelope method flawed?  You be the judge.  Have you seen this video? 



Check it out.  Why would Pat O'Brien (i.e. the announcer) say the 7 sealed envelopes will be "gingerly placed"?  I don't know about you, but my eyes tell me that when the envelopes are placed in the drum, one of them gets "slammed" against the drum and a corner is bent.  Further, when David Stern pulls the envelope, from the drum, you can see that the envelope he selects has a bent corner, when it's pulled from the drum.  Looks a little fishy to me, but I'm a was a  Ewing fan so I didn't care.

Now think about the current system as to how the draft order is determined.

According to Wikipedia: To determine the winner, fourteen ping pong balls numbered 1–14 are placed in a standard lottery machine and four balls are randomly selected from the lot. Just as in most traditional lotteries, the order in which the numbers are drawn is not important. That is, 1-2-3-4 is considered to be the same as 4-3-2-1. So although there is a total of 24 (4!) orders in which the balls numbered 1-2-3-4 can be picked, they are all treated as the same outcome. In doing this, the permutation of 4 balls from 14 becomes the combination of 4 balls from 14. That is, the total of 24,024 (14! / 10!, or 14x13x12x11) possible permutations is reduced by a factor of 24, to 1,001 combinations (or 14! / (10! x 4!)). Of these, 1 outcome is disregarded and 1,000 outcomes are distributed among the 14 non-playoff NBA teams. The combination 11-12-13-14 (in any order that those numbers are drawn) is not assigned and it is ignored if drawn; this has never occurred in practice.

The lottery is conducted with witnesses verifying that all 14 balls are represented once as they are placed in the lottery machine. The balls are placed in the machine for 20 seconds to randomize prior to having the first ball drawn. The remaining three balls are drawn at 10-second intervals. NBA officials determine which team holds the winning combination and that franchise is awarded the #1 overall draft pick. The four balls are returned to the machine and the process is repeated to determine the second and third picks. In the event that a combination belongs to a team that has already won its pick (or if the one unassigned combination comes up), the round is repeated until a unique winner is determined. When the first three teams have been determined, the remaining picks are given out based on regular season record with the worst teams getting the highest picks. This assures each team that it can drop no more than three spots from its projected draft position.

Well, that's all fine and good.  I just don't understand why the public can't watch the ping-pong balls go into the machine and get selected.  I realize that I'm a natural skeptic ~ but if everything is as described, I'm willing to take the time to see the NBA draft lottery ping pong ball process with my own eyes.

Another year I found interesting was 2003.  I'm from Ohio and was living in Cleveland for many years, so of course I knew about LeBron James.  Actually, I could have been living in a van down by the river, and I probably would've known about him.  Regardless, in 2003, the Cleveland Cavaliers won the 1st pick in the NBA Draft and ultimately took LeBron James.  All I'm saying is that I knew that Cleveland would have the first pick in the draft, when I saw the actual placement of personnel from the various teams.  You had the Knicks in the back (i.e. I could be wrong, but I doubt it), but Gordon Gund was sitting in a prime location very close to the podium.  I found that interesting since he's blind, and his prime real estate definitely made it easier for him to make it to the podium.  The minute I saw the seating chart I knew the Cavs would have Lebron.  I swear on my life...

Just something to think about since the NBA lottery is tonight...  By the way, I never did like ping pong...

The NBA draft lottery is tonight at 8PM.


THE WIRK

Georgetown blows out Duke, and I get to see the President...

On Tuesday night, I was talking to my girl after the Lakers game...  Or maybe it was Wednesday night after the Mariah Carey concert.   Hell, maybe it was both...  It doesn't matter.  The gist of it was, we both decided we wanted to hit the Duke v Georgetown game on Sat afternoon.  So the plan was in motion to get some tickets to watch #8 v #7 battle on the hardwood.  These were not easy tickets to get.  Sure, if you have $300/ticket, you can buy yourself into the arena on stubhub and all the other ticket broker sites, but that's not what we wanted to pay.  We wanted to pay NOTHING.  I looked online at ticketmaster and the event was sold out...  That's what you get for waiting. 

I hawk tickets.  I watch ticketmaster and the other sites.  I look at espn.  I know what's going on.  USUALLY...  But for some reason lately, I've been slow and a step behind.  This puts me behind the 8 ball when I have to scramble...  Lucky for me, I'm resourceful and I have people that are self-motviated around me ,who are also resourceful ,and want to do the things I want to do.  Music, sports, and travel are my passions.  I'm fortunate to have an extensive network or sports and music contacts and they appreciate my zeal for their passions also.  I share the love and can also bring something to the table with my contacts and knowledge so I've been welcomed into the fold.  I'm often asked how I can do what I do.  The answer is simple.  My arms reach many, I never forget a name or a face.  Never.  I love meeting people.  I may not like everyone, but I remember everyone.  The network of people I've kept in touch with, interacted with, and met briefly is large.  People move in sports ~ players get traded, coaches get fired, writers move, tv travels.  Sooo ~ as long as you're sincere in your intentions, respectable, and a GOOD person, once you're in the fraternity (let's face it, it's still a man's world, but if you prefer, you can refer to it as the "circle of trust") you're IN and membership has its privileges.

I get calls/messages from people who want tickets to this and that and if I can help, I do.  If I get extras to concerts, I take care of those that have taken care of me.  I used to travel with another consultant and we'd go on these great vacations to places like Cancun and Hawaii, etc.  We went primarily because he had miles and I had hotel points.  It was a match made in travel heaven.  The same can be said in the ticket game.

Duke v Georgetown is a great match up. 

Duke.  My brother went to Duke for 9 years.  Yeah, I said 9.  He is no Tommy Boy.  He earned his BS/MD/MBA from there.  9 years....  Back in the day, when I had more access to Duke alumns that played for the Cavs (e.g. Danny Ferry) it was extremely easy to get tickets to see Duke play at Cameron Indoor.  Ridiculously easy and my brother knew it.  For Christmas I'd ask him what he wanted from me, and he'd ask for tickets to see Duke V UNC as easily as people ask their parents for the latest video game console.  I can only imagine the dumbfounded look on my face when I heard the request, and I still feel the anxiety I had having to ask for a favor.  I hate asking people for stuff.  I'm a can-do, will-do person and asking someone for something makes me nervous. 

I remember waiting for my ex to come home from practice and telling him about the conversation with my brother and him simply saying, "OK - I'll ask Danny."  I also remember him coming home the next day and saying "Yeah, you're good.  Danny said he needs to call Coach K, but yeah ~ it's fone."  Huh?!?!  It was THAT easy,  The kids at Duke wait in tents in Kryziewski-ville (I'm not looking it up, but I think that I may have actually spelled that correctly) and are monitored as they TRY to get tickets to the games.  I think my mom even bought my brother a tent one year.  Weird. 

Visiting my brother back in 1999... 

My brother circumvented the entire process and  was blessed by the Duke Ferry with 2 tickets to arguably one of the best/most entertaining match-ups of all time in sports.  Needless to say, everytime I was offered/given 2 tickets to Cameron Indoor, I took one ticket and "brought" with my brother.

One of my trips to Cameron ~ Recognize that Carolina blue?

FYI - If you've never been to Cameron Indoor ~ you have no idea what you're missing.

Georgetown.  I fell in love with Georgetown in 1985.  In 1985 my life CHANGED.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  Growing up, we had a condo in Snowshoe, WV and we were there skiing during the NCAA Men's College Baketball Championship game.  My dad is strict and he had sent my brother and I too sleep.  We had bunkbeds in the condo and I was in the top bunk.  The bunkbeds had a curtain.  While my dad was watching Georgetown v Villanova in the living room, I had pulled back the curtain and was watching also.  I was supposed to be sleeping, but I must have been cheering or groaning at what I was seeing because the next thing I knew my dad said I could come down and watch the game with him.

I watched.a heartbreaker of a game.  I can't remember why/how I decided to like the Hoyas and Patrick Ewing, but I remember watching John Thompson's Patrick Ewing-led Hoyas lose to Rollie Massimino's Wildcats.  I probably watched with my mouth open in complete shock ~ like the rest of the general population.  Villanova and its SLOW down offense.  UNBELIEVABLE.  In the late 90's or early 2000s, Rollie Massimino came to Cleveland to coach Cleveland State Men's Basketball.  I refused to go.  I took that Wildcat victory personally.  I'm sure Rollie is great ~ but I had no interest in cheering him on after he crushed me.

Duke v Georgetown in 2010.  In the past week or so, I've seen Duke lose to a "lesser" ACC team(s).  Duke is not the power house it once was, but I love them because of my brother and all the fun times I've had with him there.  The ACC is exciting, and Journey was right ~ Everybody wants a thrill!!!!  Conversely, in the past week or so, I've seen Georgetown defeat UConn, and concede a huge lead to eventually lose the Jim Boeheim's Orangemen.  Wait - did I spell Jim's last name correctly?!?!  I'm.too lazy to check   Ahh, the Big East.   In March, usually, the question arises as to which conference has better talent or is thr toughest to play in.  I think the ACC is softer this year.  The Big East is more physical.  I'd take a charge in the ACC, but I'd think twice about it in the Big East because I know it'd take me longer to get up.

On Friday, I'm on my way to lunch and I get a call from my friend and she's still working to get tickets for the Duke v Georgetown game.  She has 2, but she's trying for 4 tickets. You gotta love it.  Then I get a little tidbit of info.  The President is going to go to the game.  Seeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!  Hellooooooooooooo, I told you that this was going to be a big game...  Hmm - now I want to go to the game even more.  She calls me while I'm at lunch and tells me that we're set.  2 tickets to the game are ours and the other 2 people aren't coming because she can't get the seats together.  I'm so excited I can barely contain myself.  I'm going to the Duke v Georgetown game!!!!

Saturday morning I wake up around 9 and go back to sleep for another hour.  Around 10AM I look out the window and see a Winter Wonderland in the making.  It's SNOWING and it looks absolutely gorgeous outside, especially when you're all snuggled up in bed!  Snow is coming down hard and I realize I need to get moving if I'm going to make it downtown in time for the game.  FYI - most people in VA/DC/MD cannot drive in snow.  I'm from Ohio and I have all-wheel drive, but if some clowns in a Mercedes or a mini-Cooper are in front of me, I'm handcuffed by their ineptitude.

I start driving to the arena before 12:30PM and notice that the roads aren't cleared.  Awesome.  I get close to the arena and notice that the police blocked the streets around it.  Thank you President Obama for messing up traffic.  Double Awesome.  I drive around, find a parking meter ~ SCORE and begin hustling/walking towards the building.  My timing is perfect ~ or so I think until I get closer to the Verizon Center.  Ugh ~ there are lines outside the building of people trying to get in.  I meet my friend at Will Call and we head towards the media entrance.  We get denied, that entrance is closed since the President is in the building. 

All roads are blocked...  The President is trying to get into the game..

We cut ~ whatever ~ in line and realize there's another logjam.  The secret service is going through everything thoroughly and the metal detectors are out.  Metal detectors?!?!  This isn't a Wizards game, and I thought Gil was already suspended for the season ~ so who needs metal detectors (hahahahahahaha)?!!?  Just kidding...   Kinda. Ok, not really...

By the time we get to our seats, the score is 12-12.  Incidentally the line was Duke -2.  I have no idea why it was, what it was ~ but these are my guesses.

1.  Duke was favored because they're Duke.
2.  Duke was favored because they're Duke.
3.  Duke was favored because they're Duke.

Based on what I'd seen in the past few weeks, the line was way OFF.  The Hoyas should've been giving points.

The game was hot!  I'm not even sure if Duke ever had the lead.  Georgetown was blocking shots, running, and playing all around better basketball.  The arena was "grayed out" thanks to all the free t-shirts that Geico passed out.  It was a bit of a blowout.  DC used to be the murder capital, and tsoeone should've called 911. The Duke team fell victim on Saturday afternoon.  They should've just lied down on the court and someone (maybe the secret service since they were there in full strength) could've outlined them in chalk.  GAME OVER.  Thanks for coming by.

During the game, I scan the crowd.  Tracy McGrady is there (they put him up on the jumbotron) to promote a charity.  Coach Thompson (Senior) is there at the table doing radio.  Ted Leonsis (owner of the Washington Capitals) is courtside.  But where is the President?!?!  I break out my camera and start zooming my lens and scan the crowd a little more thoroughly and sure enough, President Obama is sitting next to VP Joe Biden across from the Hoyas' bench.  They're courtside right by the baseline.  Very cool.  At least I get to see the man who is responsible for me missing the opening tip-off and not being able to park easily.

It was about 4PM and Gergetown won.  I got to see the President in person.  My friends and I head to Clyde's to grub up.  We get there and we're surrounded by a ridiculous number of drink college kids from Georgetown.  Come on guys...  Act like you've won before...  The place is loud and people are everywhere celebrating the win.  I dub the restaurant "Club Clyde's" because it's crazy inside and there's a line for the men's restroom.  My friend is suprised that I've never seen the President before since she's seen him 3 or 4 times.  Really?!?!  Is seeing the Presidenr the norm?!?!  I laugh.  Now, all she and I have to do is decide if we want to kill 3 hours and watch the Knicks v Wizards game...  That game tips off at 8....

Not too shabby for a Saturday afternoon...  :-P

THE WIRK