Tonight, I had the great pleasure of sitting in the truck and seeing how the game operates from the production side. Getting there, I meet John (HCP) at the dock. Opening up the door to the truck, the sheer amount of tv's and electronics is breathtaking. There's a front side of the truck, which sometimes gets shown during a game. The picture doesn't do it justice. Maybe about 20 tvs with all different shots of the game. I get introduced to Jeff Curtain, who couldn't have been more accommodating and kind to a stranger to the truck. He is a wizard as the head of production. I also meet a few other co-workers of HCP, who also exude kindness and an obvious passion for what they do. I also firmly believe another passion of theirs is making fun of HCP. This made me very happy. After getting a rundown of all the gear, we head into the arena. As we are about to approach the door to go in, the Orlando Magic team bus pulls in. Being the courteous people we are, we let them get all their stuff in as quick as possible. Also, as an aside: Mo Bamba is one tall and lanky dude. I knew this, but in person it was something else. He's going to be a force in this league on the defensive end. We head in the door and go into the Harry Glickman media room. HCP was getting rather upset that the bathrooms were occupied and I laugh at him. We run into Brooke Olzendam and exchange pleasantries. I have to say for the record, she is a very genuine person and extremely likable. She is just like she is on camera, which is high praise. (And no, I'm not saying these things because she told me "You better be saying nice things about me"). After HCP finally gets to use the bathroom, we head out onto the court. Anfernee Simons, Gary Trent Jr, and Caleb Swanigan are all putting in hard work. Stotts is a few seats from Paul Allen's seat taking it in. "This is different" HCP said, "Stotts is usually not out here watching them. Something might be happening." For the record, there was no elaboration on that. We sit down and I take it all in. Watching Stotts tell the AC's what he'd like to see out of the players. Also, Trent Jr. is BUILT. You really don't get an appreciation for how well conditioned these guys are until you're right next to them. Caleb looks GREAT. Much more fit than I remember him last year. He's really putting in the work. We head back to the truck and get more things ready for the game. Camera assignments that HCP is going to have, what are his primary responsibilities, and other general housekeepings that need to be taken care of. Having about another 45 minutes to pass, we head back into the arena and back out on the court. He introduces me to Rich Patterson. If that name sounds familiar, it's because for years Wheels has always called him "The captain". We had an amazing conversation where he told me he was a fan since 9, and that Schonz was his idol. "And even after 30 years of friendship, I still call him an idol." Patterson told me. "I'm just so blessed to be able to do this." He pointed over to a courtside seat and said "Even after all this time, I'll sit over there and just watch warmups. The kid in me is just so happy." As I thank Rich for the stories and his time, I turn around and begin talking to HCP for a minute. I have my back to the court at this time, and as I turn around to take a look at shoot-a-round again, CJ almost runs into me. I felt so embarrassed as I flinched. His eyes were right on me, and he had a serious face. Not to fear though, his workout consists of turning away from the basket and walking 4 steps then turning around and receiving the ball again. So I took 3 giant Giannis Antentkumpo steps towards the broadcast area and turn back towards the seats. Now in front of me is Kevin Calabro. HCP introduces me and I have a very lovely conversation with Kevin. He had just spent 6 hours in traffic coming down from Seattle for thanksgiving because of an overturned semi, so he was running behind. Then we sit and talked Portland Trailblazers basketball for 15 minutes. I have to say, this man loves this team. He has passion for them. It oozed out of this conversation. I know a lot of people have strong opinions about him, but he has caught the rip city bug! After a bit, I let him get back to his job. He's a gentleman through and through. Now we're reaching about 6 o'clock. We find our way back to the truck and get ready. I get needled that "Hey, you're gonna have to do something if you're in the truck"! I laugh and proceed to the front of the truck, and take my seat behind Curtain and the gang. I watch how they get the tip-off started, and it's mesmerizing. They do a rehearsal and then straight in. Fun stuff: Hurd was doing one of the segments while drying off his shoe because of something wet on the floor. He didn't sound any different! There is a LOT that goes on and in momentary fashion. "Where's that CJ drive? X? B? Red? Silver? Elvis?" (Those are the names of some of the cameras). "Go to X, roll X and then Elvis with the second. And roll. 3. 2. 1. Got it." On top of that, you have John McConnell doing graphics to illustrate what is going on. At the same time, HCP finds that Dame may have hurt his wrist, and is looking for the play it may have happened on. Then, 2 seconds later, Dame makes a 3 and someone is cutting that. All the while Jeff Curtain and the technical director are getting ready for an elevator (The advertisement that pops up above the score). This was in the first 3 minutes of the game and only a few of the actions. It is such a finely tuned machine, that during the first half they were cracking on each other and still produced flawless replays and cuts. It was awe-inspiring to watch. We reach halftime and we get a bit of a reprieve, so I go back in the arena and stretch my legs. Heading back into the truck for the second half, I take my place between HCP and his replay partner. HCP does an exceptional job the whole night telling me whats happening while he's doing it, and what he's looking for where. It is very true that you don't look at the score if at all during it. Coming from someone who didn't have any duties in there, I kept thinking we were ahead by 12-15, to only see that we were tied. It was such an odd feeling. There is one word that will get you the scorn of everyone in the room: Saying the word "overtime" in a close game. One person had said it and the whole room got on him (in good nature). When Dame and ET were missing the free throws, it got louder. LOL. We head out of the truck and as HCP and I are exchanging our goodbyes and thank-yous, Jake Layman drives out and rolls down his window and makes fun of HCP. What a good guy! HCP introduces me to him and even though I know who he is, still introduces himself as Jake. What an experience. I tried to be as detailed and through as possible and give you some insight into the pre-game and game operations of a blazers broadcast, as well as some humanistic anecdotes of people we see on tv. I want to give all my thanks to HCP for allowing this experience to be possible. Jeff Curtain and the whole gang in the truck, thank you for not treating me like I was a nobody, and welcoming me in and making me feel like part of the group. That was one of the best feelings of the night. Thank you to Rich Patterson, Kevin Calabro, and Brooke Olzendam for the conversations and being kind to me when I wasn't a regular in those parts. It just shows the pure class that this Trail Blazers organization embodies.
Hey, I'm really sorry, that sounds horrible. I can only imagine how you must have suffered, being around HCP for that long. Rest up, remember tomorrow is a brighter day. We are rooting for you. barfo
...and despite all the detail in the novel, you still end up feeling like you can barely convey a tenth of what actually happens in that trailer. Words can hardly describe the feeling of controlled chaos throughout the game. Jeff Curtain is a magician.
Sure, of course, @HCP gives @Strenuus the full-on royal treatment. Gee.... not hard to figure out what the Master of Reach-arounds gave to HCP in return....
