I had one goal in mind for this game against the Washington Wizards, and that was getting John Wall's autograph (or a selfie, as a consolation prize). I went with a co-worker who opted to graph the Thunder, so I was alone on the visiting side (which is pretty normal for me, anyway). I don't know about you, but when you're not married and have friends that don't have enough time/money/interest in the NBA, it's tough to justify going to games. Oh, who am I kidding, no it's not! When I arrived, I got a prime spot (row FF, I think), and Jared Dudley and Ramon Sessions were already shooting on the court. I didn't have to wait long before the first guy came off, and it was Dudley. He signed one for everyone. Gary Neal came out from the tunnel next and started practicing on the court. Not too long after Dudley came out, and I mean really not that long, probably less than five minutes, Sessions came out and signed one for everyone as well. I don't think either Dudley or Neal skipped anyone, from what I could tell. Bradley Beal jogged out of the lockers next, wearing his Beats. I wasn't sure if he would play or if he would even show up for this game because of a recent injury (he ended up wearing a mask for the duration of the game but he didn't play very many minutes). I was tense during these moments, thinking Beal would be the big prize of the evening if Wall didn't show (and while there was still time left, it made me nervous). Beal didn't sign for anyone, even the guy who begged him to sign "just one" for him. Drew Gooden strutted out next and high-fived a few people as he walked by. Same with Marcin Gortat, but I don't think he really made eye contact with anyone. The graphers around me commented that Gortat is a terrible signer. I'd even heard stories about him giving ridiculous excuses for not signing, like "I don't speak English." Oh well. When John Wall finally came out, I was excited! He said he would sign on his way back, but I tempered my expectations because I've heard that line before. Gooden walked back to the locker room, but before doing so, signed for the first couple of people in my section before skipping the rest of us and signing several, several more for the other side. When am I going to learn my lesson and just go over to that other side?? I keep saying I will, but I don't. Maybe I will next game. No promises though. When Wall was done shooting, he started walking over, and that's when a fan started calling out to him, pleading with, no, guilt-tripping John to "sign for the kid." Come on dude! Stop milking it. Thankfully, John had a handler managing this, because he basically told that guy to shut up and that John would get to everyone, he promised. If we didn't follow his rules of waiting politely and quietly in line, he would tell John not to sign for anyone. John started signing for my side, for at least the first few people before going to the other side. The handler told the skipped fan that he would get John to come back and resume signing right on down the line. I've heard the Thunder advocates say something like that to us before, and you know how that usually turns out. Derrick Rose, anyone? But the handler was good on his word and told John to come back and sign for us. In retrospect, I would have been skipped for sure if the handler wasn't there. Thanks man, whoever you are. While waiting for Wall to finish warming up, Gortat was putting on a show practicing his dunks. Wall dunked once in practice and it was amazing! I didn't have my video camera running but that was totally sick. And to no one's surprise, Gortat said, "Sorry guys" and ran back to the locker room without signing for anyone. I should have known better when everyone else left after getting Wall. I loved it when the Wizards came on to the court to the theme from "Harry Potter." I know, it's probably not original and they've probably heard it before, but I thought it was cool. The game was pretty uneventful but went according to expectations with a Thunder win so we all went home happy.
Beal 0/1 Dudley 1/1 Gooden 0/1 Gortat 0/1 Neal 1/1 Sessions 1/1 Wall 1/1 The next game on the docket is Wednesday's game versus the Orlando Magic. My boss was supposed to give me her season tickets to the Hornets game earlier last month, but didn't realize her husband had already given them away. The Magic tickets are to make up for that. It seems like a downgrade as far as team, but graphing-wise, it should be a good one! Crossing my fingers for a Nikola Vucevic sig and/or selfie! Until next time, J.R.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Welcome!If you've ever wanted to know the ins-and-outs of In-Person (IP) graphing, or if you've ever wanted to know what goes through a grapher's head, this is the place to be! Archives
December 2018
Categories
All
|