Who is this guy? And why should you care?
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What's your connection to the NBA? |
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A somewhat unique connection, but nothing to throw a parade for. My 9-to-5 (8-to-8?) job is for a sports marketing group on behalf of T-Mobile and, of course, T-Mobile is a (very) proud wireless services partner of the NBA. (Plug completed.) In other words, my blog content could mysteriously be edited overnight. |
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How long have you been doing this sort of job? |
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I've been in this sports marketing world since 2004, when I graduated from one of the most legendary schools in all the land (USC). |
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Goal for Voice of a Fan |
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Don't know how many people will actually or eventually read this consistently, but I've learned (in my limited wisdom) to have low expectations and we'll see how things go. If folks read this once in a while when they're eating cereal or taking breaks from Microsoft Outlook, that's cool with me. |
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What's unique about your take on the NBA? |
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Unique is a strong word (who writes these questions?). I've been an avid, authentic NBA fan since the early 1990s when I first started watching the league (wasn't the NBA on NBC theme song simply great?). Anyway, I'd like to think I know good basketball when I see it, even if I did miss out on the 1980s (thank you, ESPN Classic). |
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How often do you interact with NBA players, agents, and other people behind the scenes? |
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Probably 25% of my job. The rest of the time I interact with my keyboard and mouse. Anyway, it's through those business folks that I "meet" the players, whether at All-Star Weekend, a TV commercial shoot, or otherwise. That said, I find it amusing when my friends act as if I'm text messaging pals with Charles or Dwyane. Not even close. But(!), when Dwyane misplaces his Sidekick and needs a new one, well, I'm there. |
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Most memorable on-the-job moment? |
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Always hard to pin down "most memorable." I'll pick one. Last year in Los Angeles, at the first TV commercial shoot with Charles and Dwyane, when Charles first crossed paths with me (and my hair), he proclaimed, "What the $@#% is that?" It has become a staple of each TV shoot for him to bash (and curiously look at) my spiky hair. |
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Something you might not know about Charles: |
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Simply a good guy to the masses. Unequivocally kind and cordial to (tons of) strangers who come up to him in public and say, sometimes obnoxiously, "What's up, Charles!" "Sir Charles!" or "I was such a big fan of yours!" You know, typical fan-speak. He will always look them in the eye and say "hello" or "thank you" and sincerely mean it. |
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Something you might not know about Dwyane: |
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A great actor. For reals. He is also truly a megastar in Miami, more than I even expected. At a commercial shoot last year (the golf spot), we were at a fairly undisclosed and exclusive location, or so we thought. Hordes of kids soon came out of nowhere wearing their Wade garb, flashing their cameras and asking for autographs. Quite the spectacle. As usual, he played it cool, and was very genuine and kind to everyone. I can't imagine this guy going out in his own city just to buy a loaf of bread. |
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How much do you travel? |
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Depends on what's going on, but on average once or twice a month. Most frequently to Bellevue, Washington, home to T-Mobile. Airports get old, though. However, I do like United Economy Plus seating. Those extra 2.1584 inches of legroom are cherished. |
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Favorite NBA team? |
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Truthfully, I don't really have one anymore, even though I live in L.A. I just follow the league. Yes, I was one of millions on the Chicago Bulls bandwagon in the '90s. Those Chicago Bulls-New York Knicks playoff series in the early 1990s were indisputably my favorite time watching basketball. Has any rivalry since then captivated true NBA fans as much as this? Doubtful. |
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Favorite NBA memory? |
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When Paxson hit the championship-clinching 3-pointer in Game 6 for the Bulls to win the 1993 Finals. Jordan (dribbling behind his back) to Pippen, to Grant, to Paxson. Over. Marv Albert's call was perfect. I still get goose bumps whenever seeing the replay. |
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Favorite NBA theme song: |
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A tie between the aforementioned NBA on NBC theme song in the 90s (thank you John Tesh) and the "Winning It All" song played in the credits montage after the Bulls won their championships. Only true NBA diehards will know what I'm referencing in the latter. |
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What do you even know about basketball? Have you ever played? |
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You're right. Good question. I'm the antithesis of any analyst on TNT or ESPN. I haven't played organized team basketball worth a lick, so don't take what I'm writing about too seriously. My only claim is that I've had a crash course in basketball through years of watching and listening to Marv Albert, Doug Collins, Mike Fratello, Charles Barkley, etc. and reading tons of articles from good writers that has taught me to discern what is actually real basketball. |
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What's your strongest asset on the court? |
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Long arms. That's it. It helps clog passing lanes. At least I'd like to think so. And I'm unabashedly terrible at layups. So don't ever pass me the ball when I'm running next to you on a fast break. I'm merely running along on the side for the aesthetic value of a 3-on-2 break. Just give it to the other guy so I can run back in peace. |
