Tim Duncan: On the riverwalk in SA Nov his rookie year. The bouncer in front of Alcupulco Joe's kept inviting this tall black guy who's chest was at everyone's head, to go upstairs. He kept on saying he wasn't hungry (the sign has a burger on it), but the bouncer kept saying it's a dance club. They repeated themselves like 3 times. As I looked up while I was passing by with my girl, I recognized the familiar face and 8 steps later concluded it was Duncan. Never knew if went in. Mario Elie: See him walking dog thru neighborhood all the time. And once at Eckerds, he had an Aeros jersey with his name on back. Not as big as he is on TV. Avery Johnson: at a postal store Summer 98. Says "God Bless" to everybody. Even signs it on his autographs. Really nice guy, too nice for a normal person. Sleepy Floyd: at Holiday Cleaners end of 98. Was irritated that i kept wanting to talk to him about basketball. Then i asked for an autographed card and he was very friendly. Otis Thorpe: May of 98 at Pappasittos on 59 south. His legs are damn long. I think he was with Washington at the time and I asked him if he was ever gonna come play back here. I don't remember his reply, but I think it was along the lines of an i don't know. Brent Price: Kroger's on Swee****er a week after Mark retired. He walks like a duck and he's not tall at all. Clean cut white man with pretty wife and kids. He's a nice guy, told me it was time for his brother to retire (while i was thinking what about you, in jest of course). Charles Barkley: only see him wave from his SUV anytime you catch him exiting the gates of his neighborhood. Sam Cassell: My dad actually met him Summer of 95 at an HEB. He said hey your Sam Cassell. Cassell said yeah, but don't tell anybody, I just want to get my shopping done. Then my dad went to the next isle and yelled out hey, I just saw Sam Cassell. I think he got Cassell mad. Bill Worrell: He's not an NBA player and I was 15 and he blew me off. I don't think he's nice man without the camera on, unlike Avery. Summation: If you ever see someone wearing any clothing with NBC sports logos on it, they're somehow connected to the NBA. A lot of players from every sport live in Houston, even if they don't play here anymore. I don't get why so many players want Houston as a home. The pollution is bad, the traffic is bad, and most of the population is due to jobs. Oh well, at least that means this is a good FA city, unlike Vancouver (which by the way is prettier and cleaner-I don't get it). ------------------ Oldest Junior Member on the BBS (since June '98)
Sleepy Floyd - Actually shot hoops with him at the Post Oak YMCA. We didn't play, he was just shooting. I think it was a year or two before he retired. Pearl Washington - Played against him a few times at the Post Oak YMCA. He sorta a jerk, but not real bad. He thinks he's the sh*t on the court, and can shoot the heck outta the ball. Hakeem - Didn't really meet him. My friends and I were at this Birraporetti's on St. Patrick's Day. It started out crummy, because by the time we got there all the green beer was gone. Well, while we were sitting there b****ing about what a crappy night it was, in comes walking Hakeem. He was with his daughter and I believe his daughter's mother (ex-girlfriend from U of H), and his daughter's grandmother. My friend and I really wanted to go over and introduce ourselves, but decided against it, because he was with his kid and stuff. After a preseason game against the Mavericks, my friend and I went to the Bennigan's near the Summit, and saw Mario Elie, Sam Cassell, Jim Jackson, Popeye Jones (I think), and Otis Thorpe. (That tells you how long ago that happened) On another note, my friends and I had just driven to Florida from Houston to watch the Astros in Kissimme. We were also going to Disney World. We hadn't been there long and had just got to Disney World and were getting out of the van, when we saw Ken Caminiti walking up with his wife, kid, and mother-in-law (could've been mom). Here's how the conversation went: Us: "Hey Ken, how's it going?" Ken: "Ugh." Us: "We came to see you guys play." Ken: "Ugh." Us: "Hope you guys have a good year." Ken: "Ugh." (As he walks away with his back to us. He didn't even slow down even a little bit. I mean we had just driven around 20 hours, to see the 'Stros, and this was our first encounter with a player. I've disliked him ever since.) On a cooler note. After Disney World and during the baseball game my friend and I saw Carl "Tuffy" Rhodes. We knew him from playing regularly at the Post Oak Y. After seeing him during warm ups he's coming into the dugout and we start yelling, "Tuffy". He looks up and you should've seen his face. It was like, "What the hell are those guys doing here?" Later in the game he hadn't played yet, so we started chanting, "We want Tuff ee, we want Tuff ee". After about five minutes of this, he sticks his head out of the dugout between innings and says, "Shhh, you guys are gonna get me in trouble". Well, he didn't get in trouble, and he actually got to play and got a hit. ------------------ I have a dream.........his name's Hakeem.
The only Houston Player I met was Luis Gonzalez when he was playing for the Auburn Astros (NY) Single A ball club. He was playing third base for the team at the time. I had the guts to lean into the dug out as a little kid and ask for my ball to be signed. The funny part was that he was sitting at the other end of the bench and so every player passed the question all the way down the bench, and then passed the answer all the way back to me. "After the game kid," said some pitcher named Baldwin. "So after the game I met him behind home plate. And he was being mobbed, but he came right to me and chatted. I asked him, "do you think you'll ever replace Ken Caminiti at Third Base?" He said, "I don't know about that. He's probably the best third basemen in the majors. maybe even the Astros MVP. I'm just hoping to start at AA next year." He was hitting like .336 that year. And went on to make it as OF with the team soon after. He was real nice. That's what I remember. I still have the signed ball (#5). Wimpy story huh, but considering I'm in Washington DC I'll take it. ------------------ humble, but hungry.
I've met, or at least seen, a few where I work. A funny story about Hakeem. They have valet parking where I work, and he used it one day, then walked slowly up the walk, talking to another guy and was autographing everything people handed him. (Really nice.) He autographed this paper that one of the drivers gave him, and handed it back. The driver, with a confused look on his face and stammering said, "Uh, no sir. I'm sorry. This is your valet ticket. You'll need it to get your car." ------------------ Stay Cool...
I went to Calvin Murphy's basketball camp last summer and got to talk to him a bit. He helped me with my free throw shooting too; he wouldn't let me go eat lunch until I hit 5 in a row! At the camp, I had won 2 trophies for being "Ms. Desire" and having the "Heart of a Champion". When I went up to recieve my trophies he said some really nice things about me. Since then he has become my mentor. Really a great guy, and not as annoying as some people think he is on TV. No players stopped by though I got Sam Mack's autograph after a Comets game. He was with a group of friends, and seemed kind of irritated about having to sign a bunch of auographs. I got Matt Bullard's autograph at a game too (he does color on the radio for the Comets), and he talked with me about the supa tall 7'2" center Margo Dydek He could be the nicest NBA player you ever come across (aside from Avery, apparently ). Got Kenny Thomas's autograph after an open practice before the season started. Didn't know much about him at the time, but still pretty cool. My dad saw Dream walking at Terry Hershey Park early one morning (dang it! and he asked me if I wanted to go!). He said "hey" and Hakeem looked up at him but didn't respond. I know she isn't an NBA player, but I got to talk with Cynthia Cooper for awhile at an autograph signing. She was glad to see I was wearing my Kim Perrot pin. She even yanked off the cap I had on and signed it, too! And, in this new neighborhood I'll be moving to, Nick Van Exel and Othella Harrington have houses there and live there in the offseason. Hopefully I will be able to see them and get a question or 2 in. I would love to know more about Othella's situation in Vancouver. ------------------ Let me tell you this; I don't care. [This message has been edited by Calvin23 (edited May 16, 2000).]
I saw Matt bullard in disneyworld one time. another time when i sat courtside, a loose ball came my way and shandon anderson let me take a shot was airball lol but i was shooting from the seats. that was cool. ------------------ --TEX
I've met Shawn Kemp, Stephon Marbury, Ricky Pierce, Chris Morris, Robert Reid, and Terry Teagle. ------------------
Charles Barkley/Dan Majerle:In the 1994 offseason Barkley was with Dan in his restaurant. It was odd seeing Dan's identical twin Jeff also there though. Cuttino Mobley:When I went to URI basketball camp Cuttino was one of the coaches so I got to hang around with him. I played knock-out with him, he beat me and won the entire game beating Al Skinner. I found out a few things about him too, like he has a couple of scars when he was stabbed in a fight. Lamar Odom:Living in Rhode Island there was a lot of Odom buzz during his stay here, Lamar was at Torts Bar and Grill with 790 the score when I was there. ------------------ THE DEAN HAS WRITTEN [This message has been edited by DEANBCURTIS (edited May 16, 2000).]
My cousin went to school at U of H with Dream & Glide... got me a "Phi Slamma Jamma" hat, but was too embarrassed to get autographs! I came within' arms length of Magic back in like '82 at the Galleria but too many people were pushing him along. In '85 I met Robert Reid at Sharpstown Mall... before all of his trouble with drugs really... he even came and spoke in our hometown as a result of the meeting. I remember going to eat with them at a seafood place called "Roland's" in Clute, TX... Robert's son kept shooting the used, wadded up, sweet'n'low papers into everyone's glass like it was a mini hoop. Now AT the Summit from around '84 - '86 I got autographs from other celebs. Once from Carl Lewis & his sister Carol after the '84 olympics... Oilers DE Ray Childress on the way into the Summit before a game... Sitting at an Astros game once, realized that Oilers WR Willie Drewerey was sitting behind us, had about a 3 inning conversation, got his autograph... I remember his cool "WillieD" charm on his rope chain. Had entire team of the Houston Gamblers & San Antonio GunSlingers of the USFL come to play a charity softball game at our church, all because some guy at church was the cousin of the SA GunSlingers GM... got all of their autographs on an official USFL game ball... Jim Kelley was a no show.... CRAP!! The next year the league folded. Got autographs from tons of the Oilers... Willie Drewerey, Ernest Givens, Drew Hill, Curtis Duncan, Domingo Bryant, Al Smith, Darryl Lewis, Lorenzo White, Alonzo Highsmith, Bruce Matthews, Charles Martin, Allen Lyday, Patrick Allen, Allen Pinkett, Jeff Alm, Mike Munchak, Cody Carlson, Brent Pease, several times with Warren Moon (photos, conversations, etc. but he's cool like that), Joe Bowden, Bo Orlando, Childress... even Buddy Ryan, Kevin Gilbride, and Jack Pardee. I was around these guys in the era from '87 to '94 so much, I was even in the team media guide in '92. Otherwise the closest I've been to any Rockets was as close as we could get at both parades! But how could I forget meeting Kenny Smith at his shop in First Colony Mall... Cynthia Cooper was there too. ------------------ Proud Father of the Rockets' future point guard. ------------------ Proud Father of the Rockets' future point guard.
My cousin went to school at U of H with Dream & Glide... got me a "Phi Slamma Jamma" hat, but was too embarrassed to get autographs! I came within' arms length of Magic back in like '82 at the Galleria but too many people were pushing him along. In '85 I met Robert Reid at Sharpstown Mall... before all of his trouble with drugs really... he even came and spoke in our hometown as a result of the meeting. I remember going to eat with them at a seafood place called "Roland's" in Clute, TX... Robert's son kept shooting the used, wadded up, sweet'n'low papers into everyone's glass like it was a mini hoop. Now AT the Summit from around '84 - '86 I got autographs from other celebs. Once from Carl Lewis & his sister Carol after the '84 olympics... Oilers DE Ray Childress on the way into the Summit before a game... Sitting at an Astros game once, realized that Oilers WR Willie Drewerey was sitting behind us, had about a 3 inning conversation, got his autograph... I remember his cool "WillieD" charm on his rope chain. Had entire team of the Houston Gamblers & San Antonio GunSlingers of the USFL come to play a charity softball game at our church, all because some guy at church was the cousin of the SA GunSlingers GM... got all of their autographs on an official USFL game ball... Jim Kelley was a no show.... CRAP!! The next year the league folded. Got autographs from tons of the Oilers... Willie Drewerey, Ernest Givens, Drew Hill, Curtis Duncan, Domingo Bryant, Al Smith, Darryl Lewis, Lorenzo White, Alonzo Highsmith, Bruce Matthews, Charles Martin, Allen Lyday, Patrick Allen, Allen Pinkett, Jeff Alm, Mike Munchak, Cody Carlson, Brent Pease, several times with Warren Moon (photos, conversations, etc. but he's cool like that), Joe Bowden, Bo Orlando, Childress... even Buddy Ryan, Kevin Gilbride, and Jack Pardee. I was around these guys in the era from '87 to '94 so much, I was even in the team media guide in '92. Otherwise the closest I've been to any Rockets was as close as we could get at both parades! But how could I forget meeting Kenny Smith at his shop in First Colony Mall... Cynthia Cooper was there too. ------------------ Proud Father of the Rockets' future point guard. ------------------ Proud Father of the Rockets' future point guard.
IROC it with the dreaded "double post" and "double signature". That's like double-dribble in basketball, it's a turnover.
I met Robert Reid at last year's crawfish festival in Old Town Spring (happeining again this weekend...check it out). He was sitting with his wife watching a zydeco band play. He would occasionally get up and dance with the little kids. I'd had a few beers and he was sitting near me, when I got up the courage to talk to him. I introduced myself, and we started talking about the playoffs that were going on (last year's playoffs). I asked him who he thought was going to go all the way, and he said "this is definitely Utah's year". I screamed and replied "NOOOOOO! Say it ain't so!!!" and he laughed pretty heartily. Nice, down to earth guy. ------------------ Bring It!!
I met Mario Elie at a Mustang car show in Conroe during the lockout. He was signing a bunch of autographs, so I had a few seconds to chat. I asked him if he would be a Rocket when the lockout ended, to which he said he didn't know. Then I told him to watch his head the next time he was rolling in his convertible at night. He smiled and laughed. Nice guy. ------------------ I need a new signature. 302
I moved away from Houston 25 years ago but a few years ago, I was there visiting my family. At the airport, I rode the escalator to baggage claim with Elvin Hayes. I saw Dan Pastorini at a restaurant a day or so later and on Saturday morning, I saw Art Howe at a bakery. All of this transpired in a space of about 4 days. My son and I ran into Jack Marin at a mall in Durham, NC once-- literally ran into him... you know how 8 years olds are! ------------------ There are 3 kinds of people: those who can count and those who can't.
oh yeah, and Matt Maloney this last summer before training camp started. I was delivering for Pappa John's in Greatwood and saw him running. He was working out damn hard and i waved out the window saying, "hey! Matt Maloney! Good luck this year!" In the next few months, he became a millionaire and got cut.
Horry twice - once after a game, and once at a charity game. really cool guy who would sign anything david - charity game, pretty decent guy rice - at the versace in the galleria, nice, but i told him never to beat the rockets dickerson - at astroworld. never knew it was really him because he changed is haircut and got some tattoos. i kept on staring at him which i think annoyed the hell out of him massenbury - at the cheesecake factory in the galleria, a complete jerk. devin gray - who really cares steve francis - at cheesecake also, cool just like horry. hakeem - after the game i bopped him on the head, hehehe (just wanted to touch a legend well my girlfriend has also met a few of em. francis who joked with her. she gave him napkin to sign and he laughingly asked her if she wanted a phone number or an autograph. she said autograph, what a dork! i would have gone for the number. juwon howard who kind of flirted with her at the charity game. i would have kicked his ass if i wasnt 5 foot 9 . sam cassell who once came to place she used to work at. she also saw clyde at uh once. i've met a few others but i cant remember who. ------------------ Now introducing the starting lineup for your Houston Rockets: Starting at Center, from Wake Forets TIM DUNCAN...
Shaq ,Glen Rice, Tyronn Lue ,and i think Brian Shaw I dont know what they were doing but they were at the Minneapolis Airport I remember Shaq had these freaky looking slippers on they were the biggest shoes i have seen ------------------ Dont do today what you can put of until tomorrow
