Amare's homecoming: Knicks crush the Suns ~ Good time with friends, but not much of a game

I was in Phoenix "yesterday" (i.e. what day is it?!?!) to catch the New York Knicks v Phoenix Suns game at the US Airways Center, and it was a bonus that I was able to see friends.  It was supposed to be a big game on Friday night, since Amare Stoudemire was back in Phoenix taking on his old squad. 

I have friends in the league.  That's no secret.  I also have friends in the media.  Because of my love of the game and the people closest to me, I'm used to coming second, behind basketball when I see them.  Just because I'm used to it, doesn't mean I'm always happy about it.  I do my best to roll with it and be understanding.  I'm used to having to get to the arena early, watching the pregame warm-ups, schmoozing with former players/announcers, shaking hands, waiting for the post-game interviews, and waiting for the players to come out of the locker rooms.  For those of you that get a ticket and bolt to beat traffic or because your team is down by 10, I'll never understand your world ~ and trust me, you'll never understand mine. 

****  If you think you know, you have no idea.  Don't get it twisted.  I'm not one of those NBA groupie girls.  Sure those girls are out there, but I'm not one of them.  The NBA is a fraternity and if you're in the circle of trust, you need to behave in a way that demands respect.  I want to and will be taken seriously.  Question my intentions, and we will have a problem.

As a girl, I have a tremendous appreciation for everything that goes into the 48 minutes of game time.  Friday, before the game, I was left watching the pregame warm-ups and talking to Allan Houston, Eddie Johnson, and Walt Frazier as I waited for my friend to return with a pass for me.  Yeah, that's how it is.  Only problem is that I knew Walt looked familiar but I couldn't place him.  ****  I'm embarrassed for myself.   I should've known better.  The man is in the Hall of Fame for goodness sake!  As he asked me about the blog and about sponsorship etc, I noticed a couple of my other friends across the court and went over to say, "Hi."

On the other side of the court, a great friend of mine introduced me to Mark Jackson.  As I shook his hand, I told Mark about the time I was in the Bahamas and the man working the lounge many years ago, told me that I missed Mark being there by a couple of weeks.  Not a bad story, and I'm sure he appreciated me having something colorful to say for the 5 seconds I spent with him.

As I left the court and went to grab food and catch up with another friend, I noticed there weren't many people at the arena for the start of the game.  The usher said that 8:30PM games were difficult to sell out, but that the fans would come.  The fans did come, but the Suns offense really never showed up.

As I talked with folks before the game, I wasn't the only one expecting little defense and a lot of offense.  I expected a shootout.  I never expected a final score with the Suns losing by 25.  The final score was 121-96.  The Knicks and Amare Stoudemire were victorious in what, turned out to not be much of a ball game.  Both Amare and Raymond Felton dropped 23 points.  For the Suns, Vince Carter dropped 19, and Steve Nash contributed 14.

I had the chance to scan the crowd during the game, and I saw Wesley Person sitting in the stands.  He was in town for the BCS National Championship game, presumably rooting for Auburn University.  I had the chance to catch-up with him after the game and relay a story from our days in Cleveland.  ****  He used to be a Cleveland Cavalier.  It's always fantastic to see a familiar face in an unexpected setting!

After the game, I caught up with an old friend, but made it back to the hotel as soon as I could to get some much needed rest. 

Great friends in a fun city...  I only wish the actual game was more competitive.

THE WIRK

Phoenix Suns, Steve Nash, and trade rumors ~ Say it isn't so...

What is going on with the Phoenix Suns?  About an hour ago, Steve Nash (Twitter name: the_real_nash) tweeted the following, "Alvin Gentry, 'if steve gets traded I'm going with him.' Makes me wonder what Alvin and I would go for on the open market? #jockstrap&6pack"

Anyone with any knowledge of basketball cannot argue the value of a talented, hard-working point guard.  The point-guard bring the ball down the court.  In a system that numbers players, the point is #1.  All eyes are on the point guard as the ball crosses mid court.  The point guard can make or break a team.

Nash is one of the heralded NBA draft picks in the class of 1996.  Yes, he was drafted by the Phoenix Suns, but I don't think I paid any attention to him until he started to play with Dirk Nowitzki as a member of the Dallas Mavericks.  Anyone that follows the NBA knows that Nash went back to the Suns in 2004.

Last season the Suns were successful although last year they ultimately lost to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference Finals.  I was at the game in Phoenix over Memorial Day weekend (i.e. May 29, 2010 to be exact) and watched as Phoenix lost with a score of 111-103, after Kobe Bryant dropped 37 points.

Before the opening tip, Game 6 of the 2009-2010 Western Conference Finals

Kobe being Kobe

With the Los Angeles Lakers as the defending NBA Champions, they're definitely the team to beat.  I'm not sure where the Phoenix Suns will end up this postseason.  With Amare Stoudemire gone and Nash the subject of numerous trade rumors, it has to be unsettling for Suns fans.  The Suns offense is exciting to watch and I'm not sure who'd they get to replace him. 

After all of my years following professional sports, one thing I've learned is that no one's job in the NBA is secure, no matter what he has accomplished.  However, as someone who finds herself cheering for the Suns in the playoffs, I hope Nash stays in Phoenix.


THE WIRK

Game 6: Lakers defeat the Suns and Memorial Day weekend in Phoenix

What did you do over Memorial Day weekend?  I was fortunate to be able to go to Game 6 of the Los Angeles Lakers v Phoenix Suns series at the US Airways Center...  By now, if you follow sports, you already know what happened.  Even though the Phoenix Suns lost, it was a great game and I enjoyed checking out my 69th venue!

I landed in Phoenix early on Saturday morning and rested for a bit before getting a 75 min massage at the Bliss Spa, located at the W Scottsdale.  Why did I need a massage?  Because on the way to Phoenix, I connected in Minneapolis, and on the way to MSP I faced the triple threat: a seat kicker, a fatty (I.e. Who took the arm rest and 1/4 of my seat), and a sleeper who tried to use my shoulder as a pillow.  Oh well, it happens.  I used my skymiles for a free ticket so it really didn't matter to me.  I was just thrilled to be going to the game and to be on vacation!

After my massage I finally felt relaxed and hung out for an hour before my friend, Brittany, came and grabbed me at the hotel.  We caught up on the way to the arena (i.e. she and I met years ago through mutual friends, in Miami, during the NBA Finals between the Dallas Mavericks and the Miami Heat).  We separated at will call.  My only complaint about the arena, was that the will call line needed to move faster, but who knows ~ it could be the patrons' fault as to why it was moving so slowly.  Another suggestion is to put more team shops around the concourse.  As I was racing to my seat, I didn't see that many locations for Suns merchandise, so I never did get my Suns hat.  Aside from those 2 things, I like the arena.  Lucky for me, I made it to my seat just in time to take a picture of the opening tip.  Perfect!

I watched the game with Mandy, and we had a great time ~ even though Mandy was rooting for the Lakers, and I was rooting for the Suns. The Suns fought a good fight, and made a run at the end of the game, but the Lakers over-powered them to put an end to the series.  The final score was 103-111.  I never expected to see the Suns have such a successful season, and I was pulling for them to make it to the Finals.  It'll be interesting to see how the offseason plays out for the Suns with free agency. 

As for me, I'm looking forward to watching the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics battle for the NBA Championship, starting on June 3.

A sea of orange at the US Airways Center

Kobe Bryant at the line

 

Both teams strategizing during a time-out

Mandy showing Suns fans keys, since they're heading home...

Meeting up with Brittany after the game.

After the game we went back to the W, since that was the place to be and we were hungry.  ****  Since I was staying at the hotel, it was easy for me to change into evening attire, before dinner at Sushi Roku.  The sushi was yummy and just what we all needed after the game.  After dinner we went up to check out the scene and people watch over by the pool area, under the stars, and the music had the place jumping.

Running into Kenny "the Jet" Smith

Right before I called it a night!

The next day, I ended up sleeping in.  I spent the day at the pool, where the hotel was throwing a luau-themed pool party.  I met Alex, Kat, and Dave and we had a lot of fun spending hours at the pool.  There aren't any pics of the pool party because I'm not about to risk ruining my camera in a pool, but I did manage to get this picture of me and one of the many birds they had on "display".

Today is Monday and I'm finally home.  I connected through Atlanta today and ran into my friend Susan.  I also would be willing to bet cash money that I saw my ex-boyfriend, Jason, and his wife at the gate across from me boarding their flight home to Miami.  Best of all, I ran into Scott (i.e. who was also connecting on his way back to California) and we spent our 2 hour layover chatting the time away in the Samuel Adams bar planning our next adventure. 

Life is good!

THE WIRK

Ron Artest: Zero to Hero ~ Lakers defeat the Suns, Game 5 Western Conference Finals

The Phoenix Suns' Jason Richardson banked his 3-pointer to tie the game at 101, but the story of the game is Ron Artest's buzzer beater.  Ron Artest went from zero to hero in less than a minute! Kobe Bryant launched the ball, and Artest was in the right place at the right time to get the rebound and shoot a bunny shot as time expired.  What a finish! The Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Phoenix Suns, 103-101, to take Game 5 at the Staples Center.

Did you see Artest shoot the 3 to go 1/8?  Then did you see Artest get the rebound and put in the game winner?  WOW.

Who do you have winning Game 6?  Who do you have winning the Western Conference Finals?

****  Better question:  Has anyone ever eaten deep fried avocado?  I know how Alvin Gentry feels about it, but I am still curious!  Here's the video I snagged from youtube of him getting sick.

I've already been to the Staples Center, so I'm not over-zealous about going again...  I was there for the Utah Jazz v Lakers game back in April 2009.  Seems like that game was ages ago!

Rooting for the Lakers to beat the Jazz

Game 6 is in Phoenix, on Saturday, with the Lakers up 3-2.  I'll be there at the US Airways Center, and I'm definitely excited to check out a new venue.  FYI - I need to buy a new hat, because I'll be rooting for the Suns!

Will you be there, too?!?!


THE WIRK