Comedian and New Orleans comedy theater founder Chris Trew is a New Orleans Pelicans fan who has a single season ticket directly behind the visitors’ bench inside New Orleans’ Smoothie King Center, where he intently listens to and interacts with the opposing team’s players and coaches. He will be documenting his experiences here for us in a regular column called, Behind the Bench. The Pelicans’ opponent in this column: the Atlanta Hawks, who visited on Monday, November 13.
You can follow his in-game interactions live on Twitter at @ChrisTrew.
The Hawks are statistically the worst team I’ve ever sat behind this late in the season. Yeah, we’re only one month into the NBA season, but Atlanta had only won two games by the time I went to see them play. Their body language as they made their introductions in the Smoothie King Center were reminiscent of a bored (not sad, bored) employee barely into hour number two in an eight-hour work day — grateful for the job they love, but it’s just not going well on this particular day. (For the Hawks, this particular season.)
During pre-game shootaround, Jameer Nelson was tossing up free throws when Hawks center Dewayne Dedmon made his way on the court. Nelson shuffled over to say hi when Dedmon roasted him with a playful “You ain’t retired yet?” It’s an easy line and Jameer is an easy target — he’s one foot shorter and seven years older than Dedmon — but the moment was still joyful. Nelson continues to climb the rankings of fun personalities and it’s not just because of stuff like this.
Once upon a time, Marco Belenelli played for seemingly every single city in the NBA, including New Orleans. He’s got some fans still in the building and during warm-ups they eagerly waited for autograph opportunities. It looked as if Marco noticed them, but didn’t want to deal with them and sprinted past as to avoid eye contact. But then it looked like he felt bad, like maybe he didn’t notice them at first, so he turned around and signed a basketball.
It’s been interesting noting how often players sign things, take pictures, or acknowledge fans. I believe it’s 100 percent their right to make that decision on their own, especially as they are preparing to do their demanding, competitive job. If a player wants to give you their jersey they will, and that’s pretty cool.
If they don’t want to acknowledge your existence, though, constantly screaming their name while they are doing what they were put on this earth to do just decreases the chances of getting what you want and makes you look silly. You’ve got to strike while the moment is right and the ask has to be efficient. I’ve seen Carmelo Anthony give his headband away after every single game, win or lose, so you’ve just got to submit the request at the perfect time.
I overheard a story about Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer going for a run around the arena before the game and not being let back in. When not-the-most recognizable head coach for a team that visits once a year jogs sans credentials, it makes sense that there might be an issue getting back in the building.
Luckily he was recognized by a Pelicans staff member who was able to get him inside the Smoothie King Center. Can we all imagine, for just one second, the Hawks playing without their head coach because he went for a run before the game? I feel bad for the guy, but this would be such a fun story.
When I had the opportunity to ask Dominique Wilkins what his favorite part about being in New Orleans is, he (understandably) said “Food.” But then I asked him what his favorite food to eat here was and he said “Food!” It’s the perfect answer.
Bad teams clutch onto the good moments and perhaps get over-hyped too early in the game. After a nine-point lead in the first quarter, the Hawks were in that jovial jiggling mood after every good play. They went into halftime still on top of the Pelicans, so that’s their right and I’m honestly extremely happy for them. The season is long and there’s nothing wrong with celebrating success, no matter how trivial in the long run or how short-lived it was on this very night. The Hawks would go on to lose this one by a score of 106-105, and you could tell it stung.
My intentions here are not to poke fun at the Atlanta Hawks, but to peek into the world of a squad that’s likely to be squatting on a pile of Ls when the 2017-2018 campaign is complete. It seems like everything surrounding the team mirrors their record. Their security is more relaxed and the players’ eyes wander more often during timeouts. I saw a fan make his way near the huddle unscathed towards the end of the game (which, reminder, was extremely close), his only punishment a “hey come on” from an Atlanta assistant. This fan would have gotten tossed out if this were literally anyone else.
Watch Chris’ talk show, Trew To The Game, with the Pelicans right here.
Want a picture of me and Luke Babbitt, who I’ve never seen smile before? Here you go:
