August 21, 2020

 

I have an app on my phone called “See a Satellite Tonight,” and this morning at 6:15 am the International Space Station was supposed to fly right overhead followed by a string of satellites that were also to be present.  I, like an idiot, didn’t check the weather report before I set my alarm for 6 am so I could witness the flyover.  I woke up before the alarm went off, of course, and put on some clothing and headed outside to catch the satellites.  And, it was raining.  So I went back to bed.  Note to self, always check the weather report before planning an early morning outdoors activity.

 

After catching another three hours of much needed sleep I decided to walk around the lagoon a couple of times before catching the bus to the arena for the two games I had on the schedule.  The first game was the Jazz against the Nuggets.  And who do I run into as he was riding his bicycle to eat breakfast at the restaurant in the middle of the lagoon?  Donavan Mitchell.  He didn’t have my shoes, dang it.

 

Once we checked our gear once again for our double header I remained in the arena while the others on our crew headed for lunch nearby.  I had some work to catch up on along with taking my daily Spanish course.  While I was taking care of my personal affairs I observed the in house crews readying the LED boards and sound system preparing to give Utah the “home court advantage” for the game.

 

I need to express what I wonderful job these craftsmen do with the tools they have.  The arenas really are television studios with a basketball court inserted when it comes right down to it.  They have thought of everything when it comes to trying to emulate the effects of a home game.  All the visuals that are projected on the screens surrounding the court, along with the music and sound effects, even the lighting during timeouts, closely resemble the confines of home for whichever team is supposed to be the host.  When they announce the intros, the visiting team’s starting lineup is raced through in a speedy, mono-toned manner. For the home team, the same video that is played for them when they host is played, then their starting lineup is voiced with the enthusiasm.  Familiar music is played, recorded chants, drum thumps, even applause is piped in for a good play and groans for a bad one.  Your senses are stimulated expertly in order to promote any sort of home court advantage.  And trust me, each team has its own personality, right down to the music played during warmups.  I truly hope this is being observed by the viewing audience because it is very well done.

The Utah Denver game was a blowout.  Denver played like they didn’t care and Utah ran away with it.  Once again most of the fourth quarter was ride the bench time for the star players of both teams. I didn’t expect this type of performance in the playoffs so needless to say I was disappointed.  Maybe it was the excellent home court advantage produced by the in house crew that resulted in the Jazz blowout.  Who know?

 

Between games I got an email confirming that I will be working for ESPN/ABC the next two days as a hand held operator due to their shortage of personnel in the green zone.  That’s fine because I still feel bad about not being able to work the US Open for them in a few weeks.  It’s always good to keep clients happy in this business, no matter how much sleep you may lose in the process.

 

Our second game, which tipped off after 9:00pm, was a good one.  I do not like 9:00 pm games.  It makes for a very late night.  Anyway, the Clippers took on Dallas.  Luka Doncic suffered a sprained ankle during the game and that will be a huge loss if he is unable to return for their next game.  Paul George, my fishing buddy, played like crap but the Clippers had enough fuel to pull out the win.  I may have to reserve the right to pick a different favorite if Los Angeles continues to play so erratically.  They need to start to put it all together before this season is pulled out from under their sneakers.

 

On the bus ride back to the resort my wife called me from Tucson to let me know my nephew successfully moved into his dorm at the University of Arizona and he, along with my brother, sister in law, niece, and her were enjoying a late meal and beers at our pub.  After so much chicken day in and day out, how I longed to be with them, downing a few cold pints and being near her.  I know she wants me home, and I long to be back in Tucson.  I am pretty sure we are past the halfway point but that doesn’t stifle the loneliness we feel way too often during this run.  Perhaps my nephew will pop in once or twice a week to help break her monotony. I would if I were in his shoes, because she is one mean cook.