I missed most of the East teams last season because I was actually paying much more for my tickets on the resale market, so I picked and chose which games to go to (mostly higher-profile West games). However, I had mixed feelings about this game against the Detroit Pistons. There were players I was after, but no one I just HAD to get. After the game, I try to haul it/hoof it out of the arena to get to Bass Pro as quick as I can, because getting out of that parking lot after a game SUCKS. Somewhere by the Sonic Corporate parking lot, I either tripped or lost my footing and fell onto a manhole cover. I lost all of my drink on the grass and some of my photos got wet. The Kentavious Caldwell-Pope 'graph got the brunt of it as far as graphs go, and a few of my unsigned photos were sticky on the edges. I made out fine, I have a bruise on my left thigh and a couple of cuts on my left pinky and ring fingers. This wasn't how I wanted to remember this game, or the type of souvenir I was expecting, but oh well. Thems the breaks. Not sure if I'll slow down when I walk, but maybe I'll choose my path a bit more carefully next time. I'll spare you all the pictures. You're welcome. Sunday Update: my left shoulder is also sore. Funny, it didn't hurt at all until today. As soon as I arrived, Boban Marjanovic was wrapping up his practice session and started signing for the kids in the front row. He is probably the nicest player I have met thus far, last season included. I didn't have time to take my jacket off, but I held out a Spurs photo for him, and he said, "Oh!" And I was like, "Yeah, [it's the] Spurs!" He signed his name and then asked me if I wanted him to sign it with his number #40 (from the Spurs) or his current number #51 (Pistons). Most players won't give you this option. JaVale McGee is conscious of what number he's pictured in and will sign the number that matches his jersey in the photo; same with Steve Novak. On the other hand, players like Dion Waiters or Ryan Anderson will sign with their current number, regardless of what team they're pictured with. After Mr. Marjanovic was done, I saw the opportunity there (the crowd was still small at that point and even the early arrivals were still making their way through the entry gates), so I asked him if I could get a picture with him and he said, "Definitely!" When he saw my camera, he said, "Oh!" like he was excited. A lot of players and people react that way. It's the perfect camera for selfies and the very reason why I bought it. Thank you random lady from last season's Spurs game, for botching my selfie so that I could buy this camera. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was next, and while I didn't have anything for him, he was nice too. He signed a pretty nice signature (much nicer than the KCPs that I've seen on eBay) and also agreed to a selfie with me. The next guy, some fans got excited about and I am ashamed to admit that I didn't realize who he was until after the fact. I knew he was an assistant coach. What I didn't realize at the time was this was Tim Hardaway. Yes. The Tim Hardaway from my childhood. The Tim Hardaway who played for the Golden State Warriors. The one guy whose autograph I got this evening and DIDN'T ask for a picture with, even though he probably would have because he did for all of those kids. I'm kicking myself a little for this one, but hey -- you can't win 'em all. Stanley Johnson was next and I'd heard some reports on 101 that he's not a very nice guy when it comes to autographs. Even though he is a relatively no-name player, he won't sign or is very particular about signing. I believe he signed for the kids but skipped everyone else. So unless you're 10 years old, or look like you're 10 years old, you can probably forget about getting Stanley. I had studied the roster briefly before the game and knew the next guy coming our way was Henry Ellenson. I didn't have anything more than a logo photo for him, but he was very nice about signing it and taking a picture with me. He, too, was impressed with my camera: "Oh, nice!" Jon Leuer seemed like he was in a bit of a hurry, but he ran past everyone. I'm not sure if he even signed for the kids. When Andre Drummond came out, someone asked him if he would sign, and Andre kind of mumbled that he would do it after he was done. I know what you're thinking: oh, yeah, where have we heard that one before? Well you know, sometimes they really do come out and sign after they're done. Unless you're Andrew Wiggins. Hello, secret mystery tunnel. He dangled us around a bit, making us think he would come our way, but in the end, he ended up taking the Wiggins tunnel back to the lockers. Sneaky! If I had to guess, I think it was the dude and his girlfriend that asked if he would sign initially, that scared him off. Who whips out a giant 16x20 with a paint pen right off the bat? Tact, dude! Tact! You look like a flippin' dealer! I don't know about you, and I don't speak from personal experience, but I am sort of glad Marcus Morris and Markieff Morris don't both play for the same team anymore. I can't imagine having to figure out which brother is which. I know, I know -- they're identical twins. But unless you guys know how to tell them apart when they're NOT wearing their jerseys, I don't know how to properly identify them. Fortunately, it was only Marcus at this game. But rather unfortunately, Marcus didn't sign. Does anyone know what was the inspiration for Aron Baynes' new haircut? This is not a riddle, I sincerely do not know the answer. I think someone on 101 said he took a picture of a turnip from VeggieTales, went to the barber and said, "I want you to make me look like this." As silly as that sounds, I think it's spot-on. I would have thought his would be an easy autograph to get, but no-- he ran by everyone. Beno Udrih is known to be a non-signer, and to no one's surprise, he didn't sign. He, too, has an unusual haircut. Going to the barber with Baynes, huh? Ish Smith didn't sign, and Reggie Jackson stayed out so late (they were about to do the starting lineups) that of course, nobody got his autograph. I get that you don't want to sign, Reggie -- you've proven your point. Do you really still have to be out there shooting buckets when the cheerleaders are doing the pre-game entertainment show? Ironically, he didn't play at all during the game. All that work for nothing, eh? Baynes 0/1 Caldwell-Pope 1/1 + selfie Ellenson 1/1 + selfie Hardaway 1/1 Jackson 0/0 Johnson 0/1 Leuer 0/1 Marjanovic 1/1 + selfie Morris 0/1 Smith 0/1 Udrih 0/1 The next game on the docket is against the Washington Wizards. I have a John Wall swingman that is just BEGGING for an autograph on it. Paint pen! This will be my first attempt in asking for a jersey signed in paint pen. All the others thus far have been in Sharpie, and the red Wizards jersey with blue numbers won't look good in Sharpie. Here's to hoping! Until next time, J.R.
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