August 22, 2020

 

What was supposed to be a rather easy day working one game for Turner turned into lengthy one as I stayed for a nightcap working hand held camera for ESPN.  I showed up to the WWOS complex early in the morning at 8:30 am and proceeded with my routine of checking out the equipment, taking my on line Spanish course, eating breakfast, doing a little pub work, then shooting the Bucks Magic game.  I am pretty sure that Orlando was lucky to get their victory in game one as this series is doubtful to go more than five.  The Bucks won going away and then I had time to kill before the Rockets Thunder game.

 

There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes between games in any of the arenas that are hosting the games.  Once the arena is cleared immediately after the game, the disinfectant crew goes right to work.  Every surface that anyone may have come in contact with is thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.  I’m not just talking about the players, I am referring to everyone that was in the stadium.  Chairs are wiped down, surfaces sprayed and cleaned, the backboards and rims get a once over.  Everything is cleaned, and thoroughly. 

 

I don’t know if you can see this during the telecasts, but while the games are taking place there are a couple of floor attendants at each end of the court.  On every play and during time outs, and if the ball is not at their end of the court, they are out there cleaning the floor. They have this long, circular style mop at the end of an adjustable length pole and they viciously wipe down the floor at every opportunity.  I think they look like professional curlers, you know, the sport you play on ice in the Midwest.  They rapidly scrub the floor, not only cleaning it but wiping up the perspiration that had been deposited as well.  During regular season games they are present but not with this frequency.

 

Oklahoma City took Houston to overtime.  A missed free throw by the Rockets then a last second failed layup by Chris Paul forced the extra stanza.  James Harden fouled out which allowed the Thunder to win going away.  Never let a coach minimize the importance of free throws. Had Houston sank both of theirs with four seconds remaining, they would have been up three games to none.  Instead, the series is two to one in favor of the Rockets.

 

I worked this game for ESPN. The crew that I worked with had been together for a long time.  It felt like the broadcast took care of itself.  I was given my responsibilities which were pretty consistent with what I would do on a TNT show.  But everyone seemed so at ease, so confident with what they were doing.  The headset chatter was constant but in a conversational manner.  It felt like we were having a two and one half hour conversation while watching a basketball game.  I felt relaxed and at ease the whole show.  Looking forward to working for them tomorrow as well.