On the court Last Night with Artest and co

I'm a season ticket holder and at the Orlando game, we had the opportunity to participate in High Five, where they bring down 5-8 fans for player intros at the beginning of the game.

So about 10 minutes before the national anthem, we're down there, standing on the baseline where the rockets are warming up.

I say something to Yao in chinese. No response. He's fully focused and undertandably doesn't respond.

Landry pumps in a jumper, 2 feet from me. I say hey to Carl, and say welcome back. he grins and points, but goes right back to work. Understandable.

Scola comes by. A bunch of rowdies start singing a song in spanish, just 5 feet away. Scola can't figure out what they're singing, but is laughing his ass off, understanding that they're singing to him in spanish. when they're done, I yell out some spanish to Scola (which is better than my native chinese) - Luis, como estas! tenemos que ganar! las mujeres aqui te quieres! he looks at me, like, dude, you can speak Spanish?? And laughs, a real laugh. Scola's totally chill, ready for the game.

Then Artest floats over for a baseline jumper. I stick up my arm, fake like I'm going to block him (I'm 6'3"). He looks at me, and says with a big smile, you want some of this? I said if they wouldn't toss me off the floor, I'd be happy to D up on you. He shakes his head, saying no, no, you don't want that. It's pretty funny and he's genuinely nice. He is very nice to the other fans near me, very courteous to the ladies.

After the national anthem, they shut down the lights for player intros. When they're doing the countdown (the 10-9-8-7--- thing they do to start intros), Ron's acting like a complete kid. he's bouncing around next to Deke -- We're going to win! We're going to win! Deke's laughing. He comes up to me, fist bumps. I'm bouncing like I'm ready to play. (I'm a little worried that he wants to chest bump, would totally flatten me, but I'd be happy to do it). He tells all the ladies that he's going to do the Macarena with them after the game. Hilarious!

Then we all line up in between the players for the intro of the starters. Ron doesn't care and jumps in next to me. I have a moment, so I give Ron a friendly elbow, lean over and say - Ron, you going to sign with the Rockets or what? They're going to offer millions and we have no state taxes! Ron says, I like it here, fans like you are cool. But we gotta win this year. We gotta go deep.

Then brooks is announced, along with the rest. When it's his turn, Artest does a "oh ****", and runs to where he's supposed to start through the high fives, and sprints through like a kid. I think the lady next to me said ouch when yao came by. His hands are monstrous.

the whole thing lasted about 15 minutes, but it's the closest I've ever been to a bunch of NBA'ers. I've sat courtside a couple of times on some law firm seats, but to stand right next to these guys is ridiculous.

Ron is unbelievably huge. To say that he is the size of a football player is an understatement. he is literally three times thicker than me. Scola is also huge, in a less muscular way. Yao is a complete freak of nature, much more so in person that on TV. I'm basically bigger than Aaron Brooks, which was remarkable too.

All in all, it was a fun night, especially with the win. but I wanted to share the thoughts on Artest. He drives me nuts with his penchant to chuck shots and not run plays. but on balance, he brings a lot of talent, solid 3 point shooting, defense, rebounding and toughness, that's sorely lackign on the team. Off the court, he seems really fun and nice.

i'd run like hell if I ever saw a guy like him in a dark alley. he is freaking huge.

 

Vanessa Stiver was the one that hooked me up. You know her?

 

Are you Stiver? Or did you do Stiver.