“Juan” Day in May
September 15, 2008
Today is NBA Stadiums Blog Day! If you have not heard of it, do not be alarmed as we wouldn’t expect you to, but some of us NBA bloggers led by Jones On the NBA have organized today to blog about our experiences being at a stadium during a big game or moment in NBA history. I’ve witnessed a few big moments at the “Phone Booth” here in Washington, DC where the Wizards play and ultimately I narrowed it down to 2 choices.
First, the runner-up is this play where Michael Jordan shows us he can still get up…
As impressive as that block looks on video, it was 10x better in person as it just came out of nowhere. Think him getting his shot blocked on the previous play had anything to do with it?
Now, onto my choice for most memorable moment at an NBA game…
To set the stage, it’s 2005, the city of Washington, DC is hyped up as the Wizards are back in the playoffs for the first time since 1997 when they were the 8 seed and known as the Bullets. After years of losing, this Wizards team is exciting and really has a shot to get out of the first round as the 5 seed. But, we haven’t been to the post-season in forever and the city is panicking as the Bulls take games 1 and 2 on their home floor. The Wizards respond in Game 3 though, winning 117-99 setting up a do-or-die Game 4. You’re not coming back down 3-1 and going to Chicago. I was lucky enough to score tickets (albeit in the upper level) to Game 4.
Coming into this game, we knew we’d have to play like we did in Game 3 when our Big 3 of Gilbert Arenas, Antawn Jamison, and Larry Hughes each scored 20+ with a little help from Etan Thomas off the bench. We needed our Big 3 to come through and to get some bench help.
Unfortunately, the one guy off the bench who could score in a hurry, Juan Dixon, was slumping. Wrong time to be slumping. Being a Duke fan, I still wasn’t a fan of this guy.
The game is about to begin and, like you do at all Wizards games, the PA announcer welcomes everyone to “the most POWERFUL city in the world” and does the player introductions. I’m looking around, looking down at our play-by-play and analyst team of Steve Buckhantz and Phil Chenier. I’m wondering what mistakes Buck has already made for the fans watching at home, and I’m hoping he’ll be excited when he’s talking about “daggers” and “backbreakers” late in the game. In Buck-ology, a “dagger” or “backbreaker” is a big shot at a key moment in the game sort of like Mike Breen’s “bang,” but not quite as frequent.
I can’t remember who was at this particular game, but DC is, of course, the politician’s Hollywood and the legendary Tim Russert would often sit courtside as would other political types.
Onto the game…
Late in the first quarter, Dixon entered the game. To be honest, it was a bit surprising as it was somewhat a question mark if he would even play given his slump, but Eddie Jordan wanted to roll the dice.
In his first six minutes, he scored 14 points. Impressive, but would it last? I was still skeptical. The arena was electric, though as the whole team was playing with energy, sparked by Dixon. Nobody was sitting down.
By halftime, the Wizards were up 61-37 and Dixon had 16 points. This would not be a nailbiter.
When it was all said and done, Juan Dixon scored a career-high 35 points and led the Wizards to a 106-99 win.
I had never heard the “Phone Booth” so loud as that game. From tip to buzzer, no matter what the margin, everyone was on their feet. I don’t think I sat down the whole game.
I have to admit, though, being at Game 5 in Chicago would have been nice…
If you have any memories of special NBA moments you have attended, feel free to e-mail me an article and I’ll try to publish it.
Digg This!
Save to del.icio.us
Hype It Up
Comments
Got something to say?
Loading ...