On April 3, 2016, I wrote a letter of request, picked out two 8x10 photos, and prepared a SASE and two fiberboards for a TTM request to my NBA hero, Dirk Nowitzki. I mailed the envelopes the next business day. All of this was before the playoff teams had been announced and I thought that I wouldn't have another chance at seeing Dirk in person until next season. I wrote to him describing my experience from the November 2015 game and how much he meant to me as a player and how disappointed I was when I didn't get to meet him after the shootaround.
I had put Delivery Confirmation (tracking number) on the return envelope just so I could follow it if it ever came back to me, and I had been checking USPS.com semi-religiously to see if anything ever popped up. As far as I could tell, nothing happened. The success rate is pretty good (100% according to SportsCardForum), but there are always requests that slip through the cracks for whatever reason and I hoped I wouldn't be one of them. To my surprise, the envelope came back today, and it was sandwiched in between my Priority Mail boxes that I order for work. Had I not rifled through them to inspect for "quality control purposes," I would have inadvertently carried my envelope to work and not known for a very long time! Looking at the tracking number now, it has magically updated. The letter went out in the mail on April 28, 2016, and the postage was not canceled out by the post office (good because I put a crap-ton of stamps on it -- fiberboards are heavy). The back of the envelope has a single strip of slightly wrinkled packing tape on it to seal it -- it may have Nowitzki DNA on it! Hmm... Of the two 8x10s I sent, there was one I wanted more so I put that one on top. He chose to sign the other one instead, but sent both photos back and I'm very happy with this return! All of the reports I have read indicate Dirk is a one-per kind of guy, and that's definitely true. From my experience, his one-per means one autograph or one selfie per person. The autograph itself is a very nice, full signature, signed boldly in blue Sharpie and placed perfectly in the center. He even added his jersey number! It's a lot better than the autographed photo I got in person (sloppy), and slightly better than my jersey (no # and signed in black). He didn't write anything back but did enclose one of the pieces of cardboard to protect the photo from getting bent. Sent 4/4/16 via USPS First Class Mail - 2 photos Received 4/30/16 via USPS First Class Mail - received both photos back but only one signed Turnaround time was roughly 26 days. That's pretty amazing for an NBA star! In case you were wondering, none of this is FS/FT, I PC Dirk Nowitzki. Thank you for signing my photo Mr. Nowitzki!!! Until next time, J.R.
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Having already had one go-round with Dallas the other day, I decided not to be "that guy" getting multiple autographs in a series and opted to get selfies with players I had already gotten instead. I made an exception for Dirk because I kind of wanted both, or at least one or the other, so as to not walk away empty handed like I did with Nick Collison at the Spurs game. The roadie usuals weren't out when I first arrived in the section (I later learned they had gotten Durant), so I got the spot right at the turn where Jeremy (Pocky) usually stands. It's a pretty good spot but it can also work against you because players can just move right past you without making eye contact if they notice someone directly behind you first. Grace and her P3 friend were there. P3 was a Dirk fan and I showed her my shirt. Rawkfist! We both wanted selfies with Dirk and I really hoped we'd both walk away happy campers. Charlie Villanueva was the first one off the court and since he didn't sign my photo last time, I decided to forego the selfie and only asked him to sign. He did and it was very nicely done in gold Sharpie. I want to like this guy but after his antics with the Thunder's pre-game dance routine, I'm just not sure. His signature is nice, though. Zaza Pachulia was next and I was wondering how he'd react when I asked him for another selfie because the one at the last game didn't take. Surprisingly, there was no reaction, he understood my request and gladly obliged. It turned out nicely. I didn't bother asking him for another autograph because I didn't want to push my luck. Salah Mejri came by next and I don't know, I just feel awkward around him, so I just let him go without asking for a selfie. He'd already signed my logo photo so the selfie was my only option and I left it on the table. Still, no regrets. When Dwight Powell came by, Grace and her friend got excited. I guess they thought he was attractive? I don't know. I got my selfie and he moved on. Dirk Nowitzki and Chandler Parsons both came off at the same time, and it was a madhouse! Parsons managed to sneak off like a bandit and I suspect that was strategy on his part, but when Dirk came around, I had him sign my one photo and afterwards I tried asking him for a picture, but he either didn't hear me or he did hear me and chose to ignore my second request. From my limited experiences, I think Dirk is a 1-per kind of guy, 1-per meaning you either get an autograph or a selfie, but not both. I seriously think J.J. Barea does the same thing, because as he was signing for me, I leaned in to ask and he just kept doing his thing. I don't know how that AutographJunkie girl does it. JaVale McGee was nice again and he signed a photo and agreed to take a picture with me. He didn't smile, but that's okay. I'll have him sign that picture next go-round. Did you know that Raymond Felton is a nice guy? Sure, his gameplay made fools of the Thunder in Game 2, but Mr. Felton is actually a nice guy. He signed for me and as he was doing so, I asked him for a picture and I don't remember what he said, but it was something like, "I'll do it when I come back [from signing for the other side]." And even though I had everything out, I had some timing difficulties but Mr. Felton was nice enough to wait the extra seconds to pose and smile. Wesley Matthews was the last guy off the court again, but he did manage to sign some on his way out. I asked him for a picture also, but he said he had to go. I understand, no worries! I like it when players are polite about it and don't make weird excuses. Just be honest about it and I'll let you go. Catch you next time, maybe! Barea 1/1 + failed selfie attempt Felton 1/1 + selfie Matthews 1/1, declined selfie due to lack of time McGee 1/1 + selfie Mejri 0/0 I let him pass Nowitzki 1/1 + failed selfie attempt Pachulia 0/0 + selfie Parsons 0/1 Powell 0/0 + selfie Villanueva 1/1 This was an entertaining game to watch, and even though I failed in my primary objective, I got more pictures than I expected so I'm satisfied. I likely won't be attending Game 5 at home because my out-of-town best friend from grade school is back in town that week, so I'm selfishly hoping we'll get a Game 7 so I can have one more shot at a selfie with Dirk. If the Thunder make it out of the first round, we'll likely face off against the Spurs so I'd more than likely be graphing the Thunder and getting selfies. At least, that's the plan. Fingers crossed. Until next time, J.R. Leading up to game 1 of round 1 of the 2015-2016 NBA Playoffs, I had some mixed feelings for sure. I bought tickets to the first two games with the intentions of graphing the Thunder, thinking that the Portland Trail Blazers would be our opponent. Things happened and then it was going to be the Memphis Grizzlies. Okay, fine, Marc Gasol and Mike Conley are out, so the plan should still be good to go. Then more things happened and our first round foe turned into my other favorite team, the Dallas Mavericks. I CAN'T GRAPH THE HOME TEAM WHEN WE'RE PLAYING DALLAS!!! My favorite player in all of the league is Dirk Nowitzki, who skipped signing for my side back in the November game. Do you see the problem here? We can't be ThunderGraphs without getting some Thunder 'graphs. But I digress. I was both happy and a little disappointed with our opponent draw, but I'll make it work somehow. Arriving at the game, parking was terrible. There were multiple events going on that same night, a Joyce Meyer conference and allegedly, a Justin Bieber concert. I actually had to pay for parking and if you know me, I avoid that whenever possible! I actually wasted an extra 10-15 minutes trying to find a parking spot before giving up and paying $10. Still way out in the boonies and expensive to boot. There were giant crowds outside the arena because they've got the whole Thunder Alley thing set up now, but surprisingly, the lines weren't bad. Oddly enough, there were NO Dallas fans in line, even when more and more fans started showing up. No one was wearing anything Maverick-related, except me (Go Dirk!), so I felt just a little bit weird -- but only for a little bit, because I thought, if this shirt is the difference between me and a few extra Maverick autographs, it'll be worth it. Here's a n00b tip: if you're graphing the opposing team, wear neutral colors or the opposing team's gear. You may be more likely to get the autograph. Side note: if a player doesn't like to sign, such as LeBron James, it won't matter what colors/team you're wearing. My goal for this game was to try for Dirk Nowitzki again, but keeping my expectations in check. That's another tip for n00bs: don't get your hopes up too high that you miss out on the other guys that are right in front of you willing to sign. Remember there are other people in the world who love autographs but don't have the same opportunities that you do. I made sure to stand on the side that Dirk signed for at the last game I attended so that I (hopefully) wouldn't get skipped this time. I got a spot on the second row, right by "the turn", which was a pretty good spot although not optimal. There wasn't anyone behind me asking for autographs either, so it was very easy for some of the players to just sign for the front row and then walk off. To my surprise, the first person I saw was Mark Cuban. Yeah, the billionaire who owns the Dallas Mavericks. I'd never seen him in person before (he wasn't at the November game as far as I could tell), so I didn't bother printing out a photo for him. I regretted that, but he was a nice guy nonetheless. The guys in the front row were calling out to him, but Mark could see that I was trapped behind them and pointed at me and said he would come around to the side to sign for me. What a great guy! I wish I had a bit more courage to yell out to him to get a picture with him at that moment. He was a bit far away for me to politely ask, and you know, it's an arena so it's loud. You gotta yell. I mustered up enough courage to do it when he came around the second time, but he only had enough time to pose with the kid in front of me (who had camera trouble) before telling me he had to go. I'd be more disappointed if it weren't my fault AND if I weren't already going to the Mavs game on Monday. Bully! The next guy I saw, I made sure he signed for me because I let him pass me by last November -- Zaza Pachulia. He signed a nice one for me in my new bronze Sharpie, which turned out really, really nice. It pops almost as much as a paint pen and without the potential for smearing. I asked him if I could get a picture with him, and it appeared that he didn't understand my question at first, but quickly figured it out. The pic didn't take but there was no older lady at fault this time, only me. I just got a new camera so I'm still learning how to use it. It turns out, I needed to have the flash part popped out. It doesn't automatically pop out. That part sucks about the design, but the only real pro to it is that the view pops up and flips over 180 degrees so you can see yourself while taking the picture. It's great for selfies, if I can only figure out how to use it. I'm not so bummed it didn't take, because I learned what to do when Dirk came by. Keep that puppy popped! Salah Mejri was next, and I thought that's who he was, but I wasn't 100% so I didn't want to call out "Salah!" when it might not be. It was though, and he was about to walk away but I held out my logo photo for him and he signed it for me, adding his #50, and walked away. Nice guy! Justin Anderson was next and he signed for a few people in the front row and on the other side, but when he got to "the turn" he said he had to go and that he would "sign after." No offense man, but if I get Dirk, I'm not waiting after the game for you. Charlie Villanueva was one guy I didn't get back in November because I arrived too late, but he signed for quite a few people, even giving his headband away to a fan, but when he was about to get to "the turn", a reporter-type lady stopped him, showed him something on her phone, and he picked it up like he was going to talk into it. I didn't get his autograph. I'm not even sure if that was poor timing or if he was done signing anyway, but that felt a little weird to me. I'll try him again on Monday but I won't be bummed if I get skunked again. Dwight Powell signed one for me, and J.J. Barea said he would sign for people after shootaround but stopped right before me at the turn. One thing of note, J.J. is listed at 6'0" but there is no way that's right. He looked very short to me, maybe about 5'8", even when he was on the court. I guess everyone exaggerates to an extent, but at least make it look believable. My boy Dirk Nowitzki was next, and I was worried he would skip me again or stop before getting to me, but God is good all the time and Dirk signed my swingman! I ordered the jersey from FansEdge on Thursday morning with a 20% off playoffs discount, and it was on my doorstep on Friday afternoon! It was all worth it. Eat that, Google reviews! I tried to get a picture of him signing for me but Dirk moves too fast and my camera does not. But we'll chalk that one up to user error. Chandler Parsons made a surprise appearance (I knew he was hurt and not expected to play), and even though injured players travel with the team, I hadn't seen any actually show up or come out to sign during the regular season (Joakim Noah, Blake Griffin, anyone?) A random guy appeared behind me and helped me out, he offered to hold my JaVale McGee photo while I looked for one for Chandler because they were both coming off at the same time. He said "I'll call out to him for you, real loud." "You gotta distract him, get his attention. I saw him at a bar [somewhere] and asked him about that." He asked me if JJ Barea had come out. Yup. HE LOOKS AT ME IN MOCK SHOCK. "He gave me tickets to this game!" Nice guy, where was he earlier? Too bad my gold Sharpie wasn't primed and it came out really light. Who knew Sharpies had to be primed? Oh well, live and learn. JaVale McGee came out right behind Parsons. He gave a nice bold signature for me and everyone else waiting. Even though I bought my first Prisma paint pens back in January before the Grizzlies game, I'd never actually used it in an autographing scenario fearing it would splatter all over the place or spit out all of its contents and ruin my item. For Raymond Felton, I'd gotten him before so I figured it would be okay if it didn't turn out all right. It came out looking a lot like the silver Staedtler that I had him use back in November, but the difference is, if you bend the photo in the light, you can see it pop a lot more. It streaked a bit even though I tested it multiple times while I was waiting for Dirk, but I guess if you are a fast signer that will happen regardless of the pen you use. Wesley Matthews was the last guy on the court and I won't say he pulled a Novak, he just timed it that way. I got my first NBA player high-five/fist bump from him. I held out my hand for a high five, his hand was in position for a fist bump. Contact was made and the first high-five/fist bump was born. Anderson 0/1 Barea 0/1 Cuban 1/1 Felton 1/1 Matthews 0/1 + high-five/fist bump McGee 1/1 Mejri 1/1 Nowitzki 1/1 Pachulia 1/1 - failed selfie, needed my "optional" flash to be popped up Parsons 1/1 - who knew Sharpies needed to be primed? Powell 1/1 Villanueva 0/1 The eight autographs I obtained tonight ties my record for most autographs in a single game this season, set when I graphed the Thunder in a December game vs. the Portland Trail Blazers. I have tickets to Game 2 against the Mavs on Monday. I'm hoping the real Mavs will show up and give the Thunder a run for their money, maybe even winning one or two to force a Game 5 or 7 so I can try to get a pic with Dirk. Hopefully the Thunder make it to the next round to face off against the Spurs; I need to get some Thunder 'graphs! Until next time, J.R. This wraps up my in-person graphing for the regular season (2015-16). Don't worry folks, I'm not done yet. I'll be going to a couple of post-season games if not more, and there will be more posts for you to devour. Since the regular season is done, I'll take a moment or two of your time to highlight some of the best items I've gotten this year, and some of the worst experiences as well. Without further ado: Top 10 Best Signatures This award is not based on the quality of the signature alone; it factors in the player's star power, personality (nice or not), and my own personal opinions of said player. Luck plays a significant role in this as well; some names are not "big" names but I considered myself lucky I got him, given the circumstances of the encounter. This is also my blog and awards list, so anything goes. 1. Stephen Curry (GSW) 2. Kevin Durant (OKC) 3. John Wall (WAS) 4. Chris Paul (LAC) 5. Damian Lillard (POR) 6. Serge Ibaka (OKC) 7. Marc Gasol (MEM) 8. Nikola Vucevic (ORL) 9. Zach LaVine (MIN) 10. Chandler Parsons (DAL)
This award is based solely on the appearance and quality of the signature; it does not take into consideration any individual factor of the player. 1. Nemanja Bjelica (MIN) 2. Kevin Martin (SAS) 3. Marreese Speights (GSW) 4. Ramon Sessions (WAS) 5. Gorgui Dieng (MIN) 6. Jeff Green (LAC) 7. Channing Frye (ORL) 8. C.J. Watson (ORL) 9. DeAndre Jordan (LAC) 10. Zach LaVine (MIN) Coolest SignaturesThis award goes to the players whose signatures just flat out look cool or were very neatly penned. All signatures were obtained at the game (no paid signings/"sit-downs"). 1. Damian Lillard (POR) 2. Stephen Curry (GSW) 3. Nick Collison (OKC) 4. Cameron Payne (OKC) 5. John Wall (WAS) 6. Serge Ibaka (OKC) Nicest EncountersThese players/coaches were the nicest people I've interacted with this season. The award is based on one or more encounters, most often just a single encounter. Your experience may vary. 1. Stephen Curry (GSW) 2. Kevin Durant (OKC) 3. Nikola Vucevic (ORL) 4. Nick Collison (OKC) 5. Mario Elie (ORL) Worst Encounters These players are talented on the court and may have a good personality/rapport with the press, but they intentionally didn't sign for me despite signing for others directly around me. I am still a fan of them (except maybe Austin Rivers) and will be attempting them next season, in which hopefully they will not show up on this list again. 1. Austin Rivers (LAC) 2. Derrick Rose (CHI) 3. Jimmy Butler (CHI) Top 12 Current NBA Personalities I Want to Meet1. LeBron James
2. Dirk Nowitzki 3. Derrick Rose 4. Tim Duncan 5. Jason Kidd 6. Dwyane Wade 7. DeMarcus Cousins 8. Blake Griffin 9. Russell Westbrook 10. Jimmy Butler 11. Kevin Love 12. Kyrie Irving This was the Los Angeles Lakers game, AKA the last stop in the farewell tour for the legendary Kobe Bryant. It was a great game and there was a ridiculously large crowd as expected. There was basically nobody on the Thunder side. I could have given up midway or even 3/4 of the way in and still gotten a decent spot on the home side of the court. It was THAT bad. Kevin Durant was out and I believe Serge Ibaka was too, but I saw some of the graphs KD was handing out and they were flat out ugly. I don't regret not going over there. Not much, anyway. I'll spare you all the boredom -- no one signed. It was worse than the Cavaliers game. At least some of those guys attempted high fives. I saw D'Angelo Russell, assistant coach Mark Madsen, Roy Hibbert, Tarik Black, Lou Williams, Metta World Peace, Jordan Clarkson, Marcelo Huertas, but no Kobe Bryant. Clarkson and Williams were supposed to be gimmes based on previous reports, but tonight it was terrible. I'll be honest, I saw Ty (on 101)'s post and got excited about the prospect of Kobe signing, but it was not to be. I had become that delusional fan. Same as those who wanted LeBron. I had drunk the proverbial Kool-Aid, but I lived to tell the tale and I know better now. On the bright side, graphing the Lakers should be pretty easy from here on out, right? At least, the crowds will be smaller. A detailed break-down on the signatures I got:
Black 0/1 Clarkson 0/1 Hibbert 0/1 Huertas 0/1 Russell 0/1 Williams 0/1 World Peace 0/1 So even though you didn't come out to sign for us, thank you Black Mamba for a great 20 years. Whatever you do, we wish you nothing but the best. We'll miss you! ThunderGraphs closes out the regular season with 55 autographs on 51 different items (50 photos and 1 jersey). Depending on the schedule, I will likely attend 1 or 2 playoff games against the Memphis Grizzlies. If Marc Gasol and Mike Conley were healthy, I would seriously consider graphing them. As it stands now, I plan to get some Thunder selfies and I really would like KD to sign the jersey I've been wearing since the Memphis game back in January. Until next time, J.R. |
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