Just back from the Miami Heat basketball game (courtesy of the tourney) which was a cracking way to spend a Saturday evening. Popcorn, thunder sticks, the lot. Heat were up against the Milwaukee Bulls and were never troubled after gaining a pretty substantial lead by midway through the second quarter.
The top player for Heat was Dwyane Wade who had superb hand skills and was ridiculously fast while my man of the match was Richard Jefferson for the Bulls who played the full match up to the last two minutes and scored 34 points.
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A few things that I found either impressive,amusing or just plain weird:
The manager and support crew (approx six guys) for both teams went on court at every time out. All of them wore suits and some had clip boards.
Obviously it was a home game for Heat and whenever they scored the announcer went ballistic. "Scorer for Heat - Dawaaaaaaayne Waaaaaade" in mega loud voice similar to that used by the darts commentators when someone scores 180. When Bulls scored it was little more than a rushed whisper.
The amount of crowd involvement and entertainment at the end of each quarter was quite incredible. Ranging from disco dancing kids troupes to thunderstix being dropped from the roof to t-shirts being fired into the crowd to guys on stilts, a taekwondo exibition and cheerleaders.
Plus several competitions for the crowd to take part in and flashing signs encouraging the crowd to scream whenever the opposition had a free shot at the basket. Never a dull moment.
It was for sure a far noisier crowd than at the tennis earlier in the day! Anna Wintour, Vogue's editor, was at Andy's match which was played in bright and hot sunshine with a blustery wind.
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It was a tough opener against Argentinean Juan Monaco who is one of the speediest guys on the Tour and made an inspired start. Andy managed to find his rhythm after dropping the first set and now meets Nicholas Massu from Chile who came from behind to beat American hope Mardy Fish.
My viewing was marred by the incessant prattling of a very posh English lady in the seat behind. As well as shouting "Come on Endy" in my ear and calling every ball "out" before the umpire did, she insisted on giving a running commentary to her American friend.
A few class comments which showed that an expert she wasn't in all things tennis - "his name's Jorge dear. He's an Argie". "Ooh that's not very good Endy" as a great body serve from Jorge ended up as a shank return into the crowd. "He's the four seed. It's good to have a Brit in the top 10. Our women are hopeless though. We haven't had a good woman for 30 or 40 years."
I watched Jamie practice earlier with Simon Aspelin for their match against Martin Damm and Robbie Lindstedt. He had his shirt off "in case there are any hot chicks watching" and plays Sunday at 10. It's abit early for his liking as it means a quiet night and he couldn't go to the basketball.
I hit the tourney sports shop and picked up a couple of kids tennis outfits for my nieces. Really cool but still can't believe I paid $12 for a pair of matching socks. I'm losing it. They aren't that fussed on tennis but they love the outfits and running around with their pals at the lessons. They are only six and have recently told my brother he's not to stay and watch. They just want to be on their own with "the girls". Hilarious - he was so upset!
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I watched a bit of Venus v Shahar Peer while Andy did his press conference. I've known Shahar since she was 11 and played one of our Scottish girls in the 12&U event at Solihull. The Scottish girl beat her 6-2, 6-2. She is now a doctor and Shahar is a top 30 player. Just shows you that you mustn't read too much into results in the 12&U age group! Are you listening guys? It's all about the development of the game at that age!
Off to bed now. Bit burnt today despite drenching myself in Jamie's sunblock!
More tomorrow...