A Deer in the Headlights pt 2: Jason Kidd

So here I am standing next to Jason Kidd trying to hold the tape recorder close enough to his mouth.

Bathory: Alright Jason, so you were only here for two or three months with the Mavericks before the playoffs started, so how was that experience for you?

JKIDD: It was an experience that I could learn from, unfortunately we didn't get out of the playoffs, or the first round, but it's something that we can build on, and hopefully we can be better.

Bathory: Would you say it was a good experience?

JKIDD: It was a great experience, I love to play the game, no matter where it's at, this is what I enjoy doing, and I am with a great group of guys here in Dallas.

Bathory: So how have the fans in Dallas received you?

JKIDD: They're big sports fans, they love their Mavs, and I am happy to that I am on their side, this is one of the toughest places to win at so, when they support their Mavs, it makes it easy for me to play.

Bathory: How about having another olympic gold medal, how great is that?

JKIDD: I'm very honored to be wanted to represent my country, and to play with a great group of guys, so to have my second gold medal, it's a dream come true.

Bathory: But I heard you're not going to keep it?

JKIDD: I am keeping it, it's just on loan.

Bathory: Ah, okay, so you're just loaning it out, that's pretty nice of you.

JKIDD: Yeah, Thank You.

Bathory: So whom of your new team mates are you looking forward to playing with this season?

JKIDD: Well, I'm always excited to play with Dirk, he makes the game so much easier for everybody, and the big thing is Jason Terry and Josh, we have a great group of guys here.

Bathory: Alright, I think that's it for now.

JKIDD: Alright, great job!

Bathory: Thanks, you too!

It appears as though Jason is comfortable and settled in with his new team and city, hopefully that will translate onto the scoreboard this season.

-Bathory

A Deer In the Headlights.

I never considered myself to be a cool person, but lately I've realized how big of a dork I truly was, standing before Jerry Stackhouse watching him shoot a commercial promo I felt like I'd just swallowed a bowl of worms, but there was no time to be shy and not interact, Josh Howard is walking around with an ear to ear smile on his face, wanting to know why I was "So quiet" I could only smile and laugh like he made a Richard Pryor worthy joke, before I thought of a good or "cool" enough answer he had already been shuffled off to another room to do some more media coverage.

Desagana Diop and Jason Terry are walking around, Jet whom I had recently met on Friday seemed more intimidating in his white and blue uniform and headband, I only smiled and waved.
"quit bombing and ask some questions!" I say to myself.

So I decide to ask the woman standing in front of me if it would be alright for me to interview a few of the guys and ask a couple of questions, after speaking to another lady, the second lady rolls out the big guns with a smile. "Sure" she says and then she points at Jason Kidd.

"Jason, will you do an interview?" she asks.
"Sure" Jason answers

"Holy crap I'm going to vomit." is the first thing that comes to my mind.

I love making first impressions, so I thought I'd say something clever to start.

Bathory: Bear with me, I'm really bad at this.
JKIDD: That's ok, I'm bad with these myself.
Bathory: Great, we can be bad together.

Check out my next blog for my interview with Jason Kidd., it felt longer than it actually was I'm sure.

Mavericks Media Day.

So today your Dallas Mavericks will be hosting their annual Media Day, and for the very first time ever, yours truly will participate as a member of the media gathering. so wish me luck as I run into this shindig full speed!

stay tuned.
-Bathory

Brandon Bass Beach Tournament

Saturday September 26th hundreds gathered around the red carpeted v.i.p. entrance of the Yucatan Beach Club in Coppell, Texas, sports celebrities came in two's leaving just enough time for the crowd to cheer and ask for an autograph in between them.

Move over Dirk, because once the man of the hour arrived (around 7:30) it was official that tonight was all about Brandon Bass, besides the obvious signing autographs or doing interviews, Bass, and team mates Jason "Jet" Terry, and J.J. Barea didn't have to try too hard to blend in with the crowd. The Dallas Mavericks Maniaacs made a special appearance and danced to a few tunes that were dejayed by Ro Parrish the Mavericks AAC wax man.

The event was well put together by Linda Luna from Lunachic PR
who created a laid back vacationesque atmosphere for all the fans and celebs, unfortunately Adam Jones from the Cowboys did not make it out to the event as promised, but team mates Isaiah Stanback, Anthony Henry, and Patrick Crayton came out for a little volleyball madness.

In the end it was Jason Terry's team who won the "championship" trophy, and they celebrated like crazy. around 12 or 1 am the place started to clear out a bit, although if you were still hanging around you could've walked right up to Brandon Bass and talked to him, as he was still hanging out, also you could've hung out with me since I wasn't doing a whole lot, or more interestingly Dallas Rapper Lil' Will (known for "My Dougie") who was also making an appearance, all in all it was a great night, for a great cause, thanks Brandon.

-B

Josh Howard Ladies and Gents!

Josh Howard is in the news again, again its not with good reason, this time at a Flag Football game held for Charity by Nuggets star Allen Iverson, Howard was caught on camera phone during the singing of the national anthem saying,
'The Star-Spangled Banner' is going on. I don't celebrate this [expletive]. I'm black."

Unfortunately this video has became an overnight debate all across the internet, even following Mavericks owner Mark Cuban to his personal blog page
http://blogmaverick.com/

Cuban has been receiving some not so kind words from hundreds of fans, and non fans complaining about Howard's latest antics, and Cuban's inability to keep Howard under his thumb, what many have failed to realize is that while Josh Howard does work for Mark Cuban, he is still a human being, without the nice cars, and large contracts, and professional sports jerseys, Josh Howard is a lot like you and I, and a lot like you and I, Josh says and does things that can be taken either way, some will agree, some will disagree, it doesn't help that Josh's public displays have been so close together like a long thread that's being unraveled from a sweater, the sweater being his performance in the playoffs . to make matters worse, Howard went on to say something about Barack Obama later on in the video, which unfortunately doesn't shine too greatly on Obama.

The video has created an uproar of responses, many of which are racial slurs and arguements, on Cuban's blog and even on youtube.
Mark Cuban and Mavericks Head Coach Rick Carlisle have both stated that Josh will be confronted and disciplined outside of the media's eye, which is definitely the last place Howard should be at the moment.


-B

Ike ruins the beach party.

Due to Hurricane Ike, The Brandon Bass Beach Volleyball Tournament for charity has been postponed indefinitely, the event has been re-scheduled for Fri. September 26th, same place, same time, see you there!

Brandon Bass Charity Event This Weekend!

See Ya There!