1. My first game EVER to attend was as an "Olive Garden Honorary Ballboy." I was in 7th grade. I won this by stuffing the entry box at the restaurant when we would eat there on Sundays. As luck would have it, it was during the 1st championship season, the night we played the Atlanta Hawks IN HOUSTON (not the game where the winning streak was broken--that was in the ATL). I watched the game FROM UNDER THE BASKET, and even caught the ball after OT dunked it. I handed it back to him and he winked. I got to go back to the lockeroom and I have a jersey that is signed by the entire '93-'94 squad. 2. Regular-season game vs. Dallas in '95. Cassell and Kidd traded threes all the way through a TRIPLE-OVERTIME game that the Rox eventually lost. But it was a blast! 3. After I got to college, I managed to get press passes TWICE to games in 2000 and 2002. The first game was the one against Phoenix on 11/18/00, when Rodney Rogers fouled Hakeem hard and the whole team--mostly Francis--got up in Rogers' face (he got tossed). I was sitting right by the basket in the camera area when that happened. I had interviewed Hakeem, Steve, and Cuttino before the game, then talked to Steve, Cuttino, and Mo Taylor afterwards, as well as being in on Rudy T's press conference after the game. (If you all aren't believing me, I have video to prove all of this!) 4. The second game was the one against GS on 3/28/2002, I was "shadowing" Bill and Calvin (Clutch can attest to this) and they mentioned me and my grandmother (who's a huge Calvin fan) and even put me on camera to wave. GOOD TIMES! 5. Hakeem's last game as a Rock--kinda had a feeling it would be after we were leaving the arena, for some strange reason. Glad I was there! 6. Last game ever at Compaq Center (the Summit, for true fans). Anyone who was there at least welled up a tear or two as that video tribute was played after the game. And "Yao Ming Bobblehead Night"!!! 7. Opening of new arena?........ Sorry for the novel, but MAN do I love this team!!! And please don't hate me (although I know the posts are coming)... I'm a broadcasting major, so this will hopefully be my job someday...
No way, man! That was cool. Was the JKidd game the one where Kidd went off for 35 points and 20 something assists? A wink from OT. As Jim Rome would say....LOVE THAT GUY!!
Yeah, Kidd was pretty sick that night--got a triple-double. And my bad--it was The Jet, "Chilli Pete" and Bob Horry that tore it up to counter Dallas' long-range game that night. Final score: 156-147, Dallas. Mashburn had 42. AND SCOTTY BROOKS WITH 7!!! Here's the box: http://www.clutchcity.net/game_boxscore.cfm?gameID=2504
1994 home playoff game vs the jazzholes. pregame ceremony honoring hakeem with the nba mvp trophey. He turns and asks the team to come and hold the trophy with him...the place was on fire...i can still feel the goosebumps...
