A Mouse, and a Wizznut, and the End
The Wizards lost last night. Their season is over. I think back to so many things. The first day of training camp, when Gilbert told me about reading the Harry Potter books:
I'm regular. I mean, I guess I'm supposed to be reading, what, the Phil Jackson book or the T.O. book? Nah. I like Harry Potter. You haven't seen the movies? See, movies like that, you have to watch those first. Watch the movies first, then read the book. Don't ever read the book and then watch the movie. You'll be disappointed.
Or the week before, when I got an email from a Wizznut, our first communication since I became a blogger:
We're gearing up for new season!!! We've broken the gameworns out of mothballs (but you can still smell Rex Chapman!!!) and oiled our INCITE MACHINE. We want to create the new "Bullets Fever" for the 2006 run to championship (a.k.a. 1st round of playoffs). Can you guys sing a few lines into your computer and e-mail them to us?
Alas, I never did. That's one more thing left unaccomplished this season. So much, left undone. So many stories, left untold. So many 1970s lyrics, left unsung.
Anyhow, this is some of what I saw last night, when I wanted to indulge myself in a bit of maudlin nostalgia:
* Zach Braff (Ok, I didn't actually see him, but there were several reports that he was in the building)
* Abe Pollin, riding through the back corridors of the VC in a golf cart.
* David Stern, when asked about the supposed mayhem in Vegas, saying the following: "Where did you hear that? You must be reading the wrong blogs."
* Ian Eagle, admitting he was the hit of the blogosphere last week.
* Before the game, Larry Hughes eating Burger King, while Damon Jones ate McDonald's a few stalls away.
* Gilbert, before the game, telling me that he's registered the site AgentArenas.com. So watch for that.
* After the game, WTOP personality Craig Heist giving a thank-you bear hug to Wizards PR guru Zack Bolno.
* After the game, Drew Gooden eating a double hamburger, while LeBron James ate french fries.
* Gilbert Arenas, meeting Damon Jones backstage, also after the game.
Gilbert: "Oh! My man! I know you ain't tired."
Damon: "I know you ain't, either."
* Michael Ruffin with a gang of his kids. I remember when some guy dressed like Santa Claus was chasing after one of those kids and calling him a little Ruffian.
* Donell Taylor's identical twin brother, Ronell.
* Sam Cassell, hanging out, for the second straight game. I've been called the White Sam Cassell. I didn't tell him that.
* And then, in what was supposed to be my final solemn moment, I went out to the arena floor. The workers were listening to R&B and cleaning up trash. It was dark. Mike Wise was exiting the building. I wanted to have a moment, but then I saw a small rodent underneath the stands. Probably a mouse, but I didn't get a great look. So I left.
This video is of an actual Wizznut. It's from Game 3, after the game had ended. As I've often said, this season was The Takeover for those crazed bloggers as much as it was for Gilbert. Agent Zero became an omnipresent brand name. The Obama-Arenas campaign got picked up by reputable news sources, like, more than once. They were featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Newsday and The Post, not even counting this blog. The 'Tron on Saturday night showed some random guy wearing the '98 bench shirt. Susan O'Malley's sister bought six Tough Juice sweatshirts. But Comcast SportsyNet producer Adam Littlefield and I are the only ones who got video.
And if you think I'm not going to spend the next three days blogging about the Wizards anyhow, you're crazy.
By Dan Steinberg |
May 1, 2007; 8:52 AM ET
| Category:
Wizards
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Get This Widget >>
Posted by: Unsilent Majority | May 1, 2007 09:03 AM
That's it. I'm going to Finland.
Posted by: Blackaces | May 1, 2007 09:22 AM
Other sightings: Stevie Franchise, James Carville, and Bob Novak
Posted by: Unsilent Majority | May 1, 2007 09:39 AM
Last night, there was a guy behind the west basket at halftime that Roger Mason Jr and Calvin Booth both went over and said hi to while warming up for the second half. Then it looked like he got interviewed for some TV thing by a woman wearing purple. Being on the 400 level, I couldn't see who this guy was - anyone know? I'm pretty sure he was wearing a light-colored polo shirt if that helps narrow it down...
Posted by: Josh | May 1, 2007 09:57 AM
I, like most of the Wiz fans loved to see Andray and Donnell get some playoff PT. I guess that Subway commercial holds no water if all the Cavaliers players are chowing down on some greasy fast food goodness.
Shine on You Crazy Blogger.
Posted by: AdamAnt | May 1, 2007 10:08 AM
Josh, that was Strickland.
Posted by: Unsilent Majority | May 1, 2007 10:22 AM
Thanks UM! Rod's still got love for the Wiz, huh? (Hopefully it's not love for the Cavs, at least.)
Posted by: Josh | May 1, 2007 10:38 AM
He only comes for the hot dogs
Posted by: Unsilent Majority | May 1, 2007 10:44 AM
What was up with Gil's excellent sport coat last night? I want one
Posted by: Kev | May 1, 2007 10:49 AM
Okay, the Wizards got the proverbial dagger this season. It breaks my heart. But even in my wildest dreams, I never exactly envisioned an NBA championship. So I can wait til next year, and live with what could have been.
Look at it this way- we could be Dallas. The Cowboys choked their entire season away when their false messiah quarterback literally dropped the ball. Now the Mavericks, with true title aspirations, are about to botch their first round series with the Warriors.
It might be lousy to be a DC sports fan, but I'm telling you it SUCKS to be a Dallas fan right now. And that makes me very, very, very happy.
Posted by: bryc3 | May 1, 2007 11:00 AM
Zach Braff was in the house - he was sitting a few rows in front of me. The guy he was with was rooting for the Cavs. Now I will never watch Scrubs again.
Posted by: Karl Hobbs | May 1, 2007 11:27 AM
it's good to know that Abe Pollin is actually still alive b/c I was watching him throughout the game in his box and he looked very, um, "still" the whole time ...
Posted by: littles | May 1, 2007 11:45 AM
ALL of finland wake up to the great news Today!! Our king declares holiday for all workers except those with jobs vital to country like SKi Patrol and herring professionals!!! Dan Steniberg, u are so talented, in my country you would be like George Hamilton: everywhere and so tan!
I emerged from mothering hut this morning with onion in my beard and pride in heart and a DIRECTORS CUT of "Jaarkos Big Day Out"!!!! Please enjoy my memories and also steve guttenberg naked!!
http://www.wizznutzz.com/2007/05/end-of-season-denial-day-1-its-has-been.html
Posted by: Jaarko | May 1, 2007 01:53 PM
Was Wise leaving with the rodent?ha!
Posted by: WGDC- | May 1, 2007 10:31 PM
Psst, Jaarko:
Your other brother's name is Tuomo. But you may call him Teemu if you like. It's probably some Finnish thing I don't get.
Posted by: Raskolnikov | May 1, 2007 11:06 PM
The comments to this entry are closed.
Steinz, how could you miss Rod Strickland sitting on the baseline?
Oh and Big Tigger was sitting behind me, he called me homey--and it was good.