Back with a Fury... No Shame in that Game / JVG called me a smart-ass

Vince Carter returned to the house a boo’s yesterday afternoon, and it seemed to be louder than any of his previous visits (except for maybe the first trip back). Maybe that was because the Raptors had won 5 in a row… or maybe it’s because the Nets had won 9 straight, and Vince was playing like he had in his “prime.”

In the end, though, he found a way to silence his former stomping grounds. A game-winning 3 pointer with 0.1 seconds left.

Nets 105, Raptors 104

Vince went off for 24 points in the 4th alone – all but 4 of New Jersey’s final frame points were scored by VC (10 of which came in the final 1:01). But looking back, do you think he would have been able to go off like that, had Morris Peterson been guarding him?

I wasn’t the only one to think not, but we’ll get to that later… first, how Mo got ejected.
From my courtside view (and the countless replays afterward), it’s easy to say his second technical foul went unwarranted.

Mo had argued a non-call when he drove to the hoop in the final 30 seconds of the 2nd quarter. Referee Steve Javie didn’t appreciate that, and “T’d” him up. Vince missed the ensuing free-throw, and then gave Mo a little playful slap to the chin. Mo responded with a flick to the back of VC’s neck. Javie saw only that part, thought it was more malicious, and tossed him. Mo’s protest (which included a jersey-toss) might earn him a suspension, and effectively end his NBA-best ironman streak at 313 straight games played. However, the Javie later admitted he thought it was more serious than it was.

In my opinion, no further action will be taken (nor does it deserve to be).

After the game I went into the Raptors’ locker room, where Mo was dressed and ready to go. He gave us a few minutes to talk to him about the “incident.”

“I think the play was misunderstood. He didn’t see the whole thing. I’ve gotta put it behind me now, and get ready to play [tonight]… It wasn’t anything that I felt I should have got ejected for…it’s a bad break. There’s nothing I can do about it now. It’s out of my hands. I just gotta make sure that if I’m in that situation again, it doesn’t happen again.”

Mike James got called for a tech just before that eruption, and says it was all in good-fun:

“You’ve got to understand that nobody’s out to hurt no one. We’re just out there, trying to have an intensive game. Don’t jump to the conclusion that everyone’s going to fight. Not everyone is fighting in games. There are a lot of guys that are friends in this NBA. And if you see that even though there may be a hit – you’ve got see whether or not it’s harmless.”

In terms of changing the outcome of the game, I asked Chris Bosh that very question, to which he replied:


“You never know… I think so, because we wouldn’t be forced to play smaller, and you know he would have been a little more physical with Vince. And maybe, you know, force him outside, and force him to take more contested shots with a bigger guy with a hand in his face.”

On a personal note, this game was certainly the most entertaining game of the season. It also certainly made for the best reporting of my young career, as well… the live updates on 680 all had substance, and a plot-line that carried through, as opposed to just listing off the score, and a few runs.

==
As my luck would have it, I was not only covering that game, but also a practice the day before, and the game before that. So these are exciting times.

In practice, everything was loose. There were maybe 3 other reporters in attendance, which meant I wouldn’t need to fight for questioning.

Thankfully it got a whole lot easier when Sam let it rip on another reporter. He actually asked something I was thinking of, but didn’t want to lead with (I’ll tell you about my experience with the timing of questioning in a moment)… He had asked how Jose Calderon was doing, but also asked if he was ready to start. Mitchell’s reply:

“Ready to what? To start? What do you mean start? Has he started when we won 5 games in a row? Has he started since then? Well why would I do that?”

The reporter then said he wouldn’t do it, which just dug his hole a little deeper.

“So you’re saying you’re smarter than me? Or you’re saying I’m stupid? You’re saying one of the two...”

Now was my chance to get in what I wanted to ask… perfect timing. I asked what Mike James brings to the team as the starting point guard.

“I just think his ability to get into the paint, and his 3-point range. You know, we knew Mike was a good 3-point shooter… and I think he’s making his teammates better, because he’s making those extra passes, his turnovers are way down, and he’s just running the team as well as he can do it.”

I asked a few more questions along the same vein, and Sam was providing me with quality answers. I don’t think he can smell any fear on me anymore. When the third reporter tried to get some questions in, Sam said “you see, this is what I don’t like…you don’t have anything to ask me, he [me] asked me a few questions, and you try to piggy-back on it. Be original.”

I know I’ve dropped the "petty"-bomb here before… but anytime I can get some positive reinforcement about my ability, it helps. Confidence is everything. It makes your questions more valid, it gives you more credibility if you feel good about your delivery.

Moving on… after the scrum, Sam said he loves talking with us off the record, but mics and cameras piss him off…

When we put forth that notion to James, he said: “Well that’s because you guys cut out half the interview and y’all put in the part of the interview that y’all like to hear. Then somebody will look at it, and make you sound like you’re worse than what you really are, but it’s just half the interview.”

I told Mike I was going to cut that clip, and have him say “they’re worse than they really are.”

He laughed.

Mike is averaging 24 points, 4 rebounds and 8 assists through their 5-game winning streak. I asked him what he thought about people saying he was just playing for a contract.

“Everybody has their opinion about me. Until you get to know who I am as a person. One thing… I grew up poor. I grew up broke. I grew up with nothing. So to have a little bit more, is better than nothing. So I understand how it is to be on the bottom, and I know how it is to have [a lot]. But my love, my passion, and my drive doesn’t come from money. Money is not what makes me. It’s this game that makes me. It’s this game that I love. It’s this game that I’m passionate for. That’s what I play for. I don’t play for contracts, because those things come and go. You can tell why a person plays, by the way they play the game. Whether or not they’re playing for the love of the game, or if they’re just playing for a contract.”

Either way, his passion is translating into some serious game… and no doubt James will be seeing riches he never dreamed of.

==
I found out Thursday night that I’d be working the game on Friday, versus Houston. I was pumped.

The game itself was a blowout, but I’d learn a few things about myself on this night. I’d learn about what to say, and when to say it. And I’d also learned to let someone else ask a question to an angry 7-footer…

I’ll keep this more brief, since I went long on the previous portions.


Raptors 112, Rockets 92

Mike James lit up Rafer Alston for 30 points, 7 rebounds, and 8 assists. Chris Bosh had 22 points and 16 boards.

After the game I wanted to get my question to Houston coach, Jeff Van Gundy, first. Bad idea. Or maybe it was the question itself. You know what, it was definitely both.

“Coach, the point guard battle seemed a little one-sided...” I said.
“Are you going to ask a question, or just ask a smart-ass question?”
“Ok, do you think you could have gotten a better effort from Rafer, or maybe another one of your point guards?”
“…Next question.”

Good times. Jeff Van Gundy called me a smart-ass. I will have that for the rest of my career.

During the game, James and Juwan Howard got into a little spat. Mike made a nice-driving lay-up, midway through the 2nd, and got the foul, as well. He decided to talk a little trash, and Howard decided to introduce Mike to the basketball, face-first. The shove to the face was too much for the refs, so they served up double-techs when James tried to retaliate. He was held back, while Sam Mitchell ran onto the floor and tried to ensure nothing further happened. I was waiting for Van Gundy to come out and hang onto someone’s leg, ala Alonzo Mourning.

So after getting a lesson from the Rockets’ coach, I endeavored into their locker room. I spoke to Tracy McGrady (who had 37 points), Rafer (who had 2), and of course, Juwan Howard.

You knew what everyone wanted to ask, so why should I be the one to tick off the guy?

“Comment on the play there, with you and Mike James…”
“You saw what happened… I have no comment about it. You got anything to talk about the game?” Ask me questions about the game.”

A few boring questions and answers later… the same reporter brought it back, and brought forth a glare I never want to see again.

Juwan Howard stands 6’9” (so what if I said 7’ in the intro?), exactly ¾ of a foot taller than me. He glared at the reporter standing about 6 inches to my left and said with the most intense look ever:

“I have NO COMMENT about the situation. So DON’T ask me about it, ok??”

I wanted to just run, but alas, I had a job to do… and that’s defend myself. So I got into the crane position that the late Mr. Miyagi taught me, and… no wait. That was a different dream all together.

I left the locker room, and went upstairs to the post-game show station, and shared my new memories.

Good times.
==

Tonight, the Raps play the Bulls in Chicago, then it’s back home for Charlotte...