First of all, I'm not a beat writer. So it you want that type of stuff you can go somewhere else to find it. My purpose is to supply you with a different perspective than the usual game review. This was the first time I've ever had media credentials for a game, so it was a new experience for me (basically, I didn't really know what I was doing). VTF was approached by the Octagon Agency about obtaining credentials, and since kwlarson didn't want to ditch his wife, I took advantage.
Apparently, before the game, some crazy dude got kicked out of the Marriott Center for trying to peep on Jimmer as he was taking a shower.
...That was the first thing I wrote in my notes, that's kind of a taste of what this is going to be like for you as a reader.
During warm-ups, the players were putting on quite a show with their dunks. BYU has done this, but when everyone on the team can pull off some sweet dunks, it's a little more entertaining than a bunch of white dudes softly tossing the ball over the rim while simultaneously making contact with it. This is called foreshadowing.
The game
As the game started, it became obvious that the crowd was completely bias towards 'Team Jimmer'. ...and then later towards Isaiah Thomas.
The game was more competitive than I thought it would be. It was pretty legit, and very entertaining. It was a style of basketball that Provo isn't really accustomed to. Something that became noticeable early on was that there were only two white guys on the court...in Provo, and that just doesn't happen.
They were going pretty hard, it wasn't just your typical exhibition/all-star game. These guys played as though they were trying to prove something, like they belonged. To me, that is when sports are genuinely awesome.
You all probably saw the game (if you didn't, WTF?) and have already read some summaries and stats. I'll spare you that, and instead I will list some of my observations from the game:
- Why was Jimmer wearing Spaulding shoes? They looked horrible.
- Kawhi Leonard's hands are so big, I think he could palm a bowling ball.
- I think Jimmer might moonlight as a magician.
- Dave Rose was the calmest I've ever seen him coaching a game.
- Tyler Honeycutt is a smooth baller.
- The guy to my right keeps looking at my computer screen.
- The guy to my left just wrote down: "#33 white - very athletic." He underlined 'very' twice.
- Lots of awesome dunks, hard throw-downs, and then Emery barely manages to get one down (remember when I mentioned foreshadowing?).
- Greg Wrubell acts out the plays with his hands when he describes what happens.
- I'm not entertained by TJ Fredette.
- Crowd chanted "Jimmer Jackson Jimmer Jackson." I can see how that would sound misleading.
- It's kind of nice to just watch a game and not really pay too much attention to the score.
Post-game Press Conference
I had a bunch of stuff to plan for my class tomorrow, so I only stayed for the main presser, which was the coaches and two captains. Things that I liked that I heard:
- Isaiah Thomas said that the Marriott Center was really loud. Steve Fisher then told him that he should hear it when there is twice as many fans.
- Steve Fisher gave lots of credit to BYU fans for showing up to the game on a Thursday night. He said that's something that doesn't even happen during a real season game.
- All of the players were really impressed with the facilities of BYU and the atmosphere that the fans created. They said it made them want to play one more game at their own arenas.
Overall, it was a freakin' awesome game. Very entertaining. I don't think people realized that it was going to be like this. Had they known, it would have been full. It was great to hear people say things like, "best $120 I've spent in a long time." Leading up to the game, it seemed like lots of people were complaining about the prices and all. Now, I think they are rethinking that.
Seriously though, this was the perfect thing I needed given the last two weeks of BYU football.