Spoiler Got some great shots! Met DM (we had better seats than he did). Got some insider info: Topfive's GF talked to DM and found out why Josh is playing in limited stretches: he's injured. His back can only give so much. He was on the bike during dead times in the game. Apparently Morey loves the guy, and we (topfive's gf, me and my gf) begged Smoove never to leave us again. Smoove's response was something in the realm of "if it's up to me I won't". Morey was super candid, and overall just a great guy to talk to. I'm glad I went up to him. Harden and Bev were in a mood. Bev signed some autographs and then got into some static with a fan. A blazer fan came over and hassled him, but still. On one dead ball after a Rockets run in the first I screamed go Rockets as loudly as I could and Harden gave me a death stare. I don't get that guy. Maybe fans don't cheer for them on the regular, so he didn't know what was going on. I don't think I can say enough nice things about Dwight. The guy just hits me as a class act. He's constantly talking to Clint, giving him pointers, teasing him on Clint's misses and encouraging him on the makes. That guy gets it. JB is so dejected during timeouts. Jesus, he spends the first 30 second of the timeout just walking around, and then speaks to the team for 10 seconds, then breaks the huddle. He looked so defeated, even early on in the game when we were up. He seems in over his head. Harden also likes to call his own mini-timeouts immediately after JB breaks the huddle. He will draw the team to the side and talk to them, I don't get it. Why not say that stuff in front of JB? All of this was input from one game, I don't think I'm cyber, and it could have been an off night for everyone. Take it for what it's worth.
Since topfive is on a self-imposed exile, I'm in charge of posting our road trip pics (although didn't I see you post on another topic earlier today, dear?). Thoughts on the Oracle- AWFUL. $40 for parking at the far end of the lot, snotty fans, and people would stand in front of us for selfies DURING A PLAY. About as bad as Laker fans. Nah, actually worse than Laker fans. Didn't get there in time for shoot around but I doubt we could've gotten close enough to support our guys anyway. View from our seats: Spoiler In Portland during the shoot around the Clutchfans contingent stood at the side of the tunnel and cheered loudly when our guys ran out onto the court. As Capela ran out we all shouted "CLINT" at the tops of our lungs and I honestly think we startled the sh#t outta him! Bill Worrell was astonished and thrilled to see us and stopped by to give fist-bumps and greetings. Dwight was as always extremely sweet and funny, doing the dab as he hit a three, then stopping to say hi to everyone and sign autographs. I don't know if we'll see him again and that breaks my heart. Spoiler Spoiler Josh Smith has been my fave since last year, and when he came back I couldn't have been happier. He is a CLASS ACT, incredibly gracious and polite to fans during shoot around. Hoping he sticks around- he brings back some chemistry that our team desperately needs. I thanked him for coming back and he said he won't leave again- "Not if I can help it." Spoiler We made onto ESPN quite a few times! That's Pizza on the left and we're on the right next to the shot clock. Spoiler During halftime we talked to Morey. Wow, this guy is so down-to-earth. He shook topfive's hand and said "Too bad we're playing like sh#t." Here's Pizza harassing Morey before we walked up to harass him some more. Spoiler After the end of the game, I cheered our guys as they walked back to the locker room. Ariza was PISSED, muttering to JB and shaking his head. I could read his lips- he was dropping a few F-bombs. It's no fun following your team on a road trip when they're just disheartening to watch, but I will support our team no matter what. Cuz that's what you do as a fan. And we'll be back in Portland again on the 25th. Must give props to the Moda Center- the staff there are so nice to us (they must recognize us crazy Rockets fans by now) and allow us to hang out behind the bench during shootarounds. They even plugged in my dead phone during halftime behind the bench for me. And Blazer fans are not even remotely rude, just lots of cheerful banter and healthy debates. Although right now Portland REALLY hates Bev.
