Marc, I do love the picture of The Circle that is sports. In 2023, we saw one phenom putting the final chapter(s) in a career that started with a much anticipated lottery in 2003. LeBron hit that iconic shot that broke another phenom’s all-time scoring record. Later in the year, we welcomed another much anticipated lottery, and another star, Wemby, debuted. Circle!
My favorite basketball memory from 2023 is being on the sidelines as the Game Experience crew at the Basketball World Cup at Okinawa Arena, and watching Japan achieve their first Olympic berth since 1976 on its own merit (they played in Tokyo in 2021 as the host nation). I’ve never seen a Japanese crowd that intense and united in a basketball game.
Frankly, just watching Steph continue to be Steph. And Lebron being Lebron! They are still great and doing great things and they are taken for granted every time they step on the court and do their ridiculous things. The top 3 point scorer of all time and the top point scorer of all time are here today, right now, and available to watch nearly every night. I appreciate the legacy they continue to build on the daily.
My two favorite moments this year were two incredible LD passes. The more recent is the pass behind Jaxson Hayes's back for a three; but the pass that I find almost inconceivable is when he was trapped by a double team in the corner, jumped in the air, scissored his legs to gain core power and fired a pass across the court to a wide open Jaden Hardy, who drained the 3. Most amazing pass I've ever seen! The guy is a savant, I hope we can put a team around him so he can play on the biggest stage, and more than once. Dirk deserved more opportunities than he got. Hardy pass linked below:
I’ve shared season tickets for the last few years, which meant I had 10 home games a year to see the Blazers (and Dame) play basketball. With two small kids, my wife would often decide not to go last minute. In her place I’d invite a friend who also loves ball. He probably went to 8-10 games with me over three years.
Well, he felt bad about never paying for tickets, but I was just happy not to be solo so it seemed fair to me. Nonetheless he wanted to “repay” me by buying great seats to a game when a lackluster opponent came to town (so they’d be affordable).
So he picked the lowly Rockets last year on 2/26. He bought fifth row near center court. We got there early to enjoy the courtside amenities which I had only ever experienced once before. Watched intros and warmups. Assumed it would be a meh game.
And then we got to watch Dame explode for 71 in what was his last great performance as a Blazer. By halftime we were wondering if he’d possibly beat Kobe’s all time high. I got his career high record breaking three on video along with my idiotic cheering.
I was heartbroken but understanding when Dame requested a trade. The org let him down. As fans we’ll always wonder what could have been. But I’ll also always have that game when he went for 71 and I was in the fifth row.
Best basketball moment of 2023. Probably best basketball moment of my life.
after a slog of a spurs season in which i refused to even think about the possibility of the spurs getting a 3rd generational big man, followed by the absolutely gobsmacking whiplash of winning the lottery, i took myself out to dinner alone at a local sports bar just so i could sit in the booth and enjoy a delicious beer and burger as i watched my large adult french son take the stage after being selected first overall. finished my food, settled up, and just had the most delightful walk home. go spurs go.
Marc, I do love the picture of The Circle that is sports. In 2023, we saw one phenom putting the final chapter(s) in a career that started with a much anticipated lottery in 2003. LeBron hit that iconic shot that broke another phenom’s all-time scoring record. Later in the year, we welcomed another much anticipated lottery, and another star, Wemby, debuted. Circle!
My favorite basketball memory from 2023 is being on the sidelines as the Game Experience crew at the Basketball World Cup at Okinawa Arena, and watching Japan achieve their first Olympic berth since 1976 on its own merit (they played in Tokyo in 2021 as the host nation). I’ve never seen a Japanese crowd that intense and united in a basketball game.
Frankly, just watching Steph continue to be Steph. And Lebron being Lebron! They are still great and doing great things and they are taken for granted every time they step on the court and do their ridiculous things. The top 3 point scorer of all time and the top point scorer of all time are here today, right now, and available to watch nearly every night. I appreciate the legacy they continue to build on the daily.
My two favorite moments this year were two incredible LD passes. The more recent is the pass behind Jaxson Hayes's back for a three; but the pass that I find almost inconceivable is when he was trapped by a double team in the corner, jumped in the air, scissored his legs to gain core power and fired a pass across the court to a wide open Jaden Hardy, who drained the 3. Most amazing pass I've ever seen! The guy is a savant, I hope we can put a team around him so he can play on the biggest stage, and more than once. Dirk deserved more opportunities than he got. Hardy pass linked below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYiMZTcOztI
Today's first three submissions are all heartfelt and beautiful and personal. Love these!
I’ve shared season tickets for the last few years, which meant I had 10 home games a year to see the Blazers (and Dame) play basketball. With two small kids, my wife would often decide not to go last minute. In her place I’d invite a friend who also loves ball. He probably went to 8-10 games with me over three years.
Well, he felt bad about never paying for tickets, but I was just happy not to be solo so it seemed fair to me. Nonetheless he wanted to “repay” me by buying great seats to a game when a lackluster opponent came to town (so they’d be affordable).
So he picked the lowly Rockets last year on 2/26. He bought fifth row near center court. We got there early to enjoy the courtside amenities which I had only ever experienced once before. Watched intros and warmups. Assumed it would be a meh game.
And then we got to watch Dame explode for 71 in what was his last great performance as a Blazer. By halftime we were wondering if he’d possibly beat Kobe’s all time high. I got his career high record breaking three on video along with my idiotic cheering.
I was heartbroken but understanding when Dame requested a trade. The org let him down. As fans we’ll always wonder what could have been. But I’ll also always have that game when he went for 71 and I was in the fifth row.
Best basketball moment of 2023. Probably best basketball moment of my life.
after a slog of a spurs season in which i refused to even think about the possibility of the spurs getting a 3rd generational big man, followed by the absolutely gobsmacking whiplash of winning the lottery, i took myself out to dinner alone at a local sports bar just so i could sit in the booth and enjoy a delicious beer and burger as i watched my large adult french son take the stage after being selected first overall. finished my food, settled up, and just had the most delightful walk home. go spurs go.
Favorite memory -- Jokic hitting that ridiculous 3-pointer over AD in the playoffs -- and then both of their reactions. Big Honey is simply the best.