GrandeDavid
05-06-2011, 02:16 PM
Yes, my folks are on a roll meeting all these NBAers. Anyway, my parents are in Louisville for the Kentucky Derby (I like Nehro and Twice the Appeal, btw) and they sit up in the in Jockey Club Suites as horse owners. Its a fairly intimate environment and in the past they've sat next to celebs such as Kid Rock, Rick Pitino and so on. A couple of years ago Avery Johnson sat at their table. Just yesterday they attended some event and Avery was there again. So here goes...
My step father greeted Avery and Avery remembered having met him a couple of years ago and asked him some accounting question or other. They confirmed where they'd be sitting, which is not at the same table but at an adjacent one. My step father told Avery that he saw Pop the other day and to guess what he was doing. Avery said "I don't know, about to jump in his swimming pool?" My step father said no, "Gardening." And they laughed. He then told Avery how he congratulated Pop on an excellent season and how he thought that that Memphis series could've gone in the Spurs favor had a couple of bounces gone their way.
Avery's reply was, "You know Jim, that's how the NBA is today. Its a free throw here, a whistle there...and a guy like Manu gets hurt and that makes it even tougher." My step father then confirmed that Avery was coaching in New Jersey and asked if he was trying to make them like the Spurs organization and Avery replied, "That's exactly what I'm doing. In fact, I think every team is trying to be like the Spurs organization."
My step father then commented on how Avery left his mark in Dallas, to which Avery replied, "Yeah, you see how my guys are doing now!? You gotta play some defense to contend, and that's exactly what Dallas is doing."
Finally, before ending the NBA discussion and talking about horses, my step father asked what he thinks of the Spurs coming into next season, and Avery said something like "The Spurs are going nowhere. They'll be back strong and hungry next season."
Anyway, just thought I'd share. I'll let you guys know if/when they run into Bruce Bowen or Manu! lol lol
My step father greeted Avery and Avery remembered having met him a couple of years ago and asked him some accounting question or other. They confirmed where they'd be sitting, which is not at the same table but at an adjacent one. My step father told Avery that he saw Pop the other day and to guess what he was doing. Avery said "I don't know, about to jump in his swimming pool?" My step father said no, "Gardening." And they laughed. He then told Avery how he congratulated Pop on an excellent season and how he thought that that Memphis series could've gone in the Spurs favor had a couple of bounces gone their way.
Avery's reply was, "You know Jim, that's how the NBA is today. Its a free throw here, a whistle there...and a guy like Manu gets hurt and that makes it even tougher." My step father then confirmed that Avery was coaching in New Jersey and asked if he was trying to make them like the Spurs organization and Avery replied, "That's exactly what I'm doing. In fact, I think every team is trying to be like the Spurs organization."
My step father then commented on how Avery left his mark in Dallas, to which Avery replied, "Yeah, you see how my guys are doing now!? You gotta play some defense to contend, and that's exactly what Dallas is doing."
Finally, before ending the NBA discussion and talking about horses, my step father asked what he thinks of the Spurs coming into next season, and Avery said something like "The Spurs are going nowhere. They'll be back strong and hungry next season."
Anyway, just thought I'd share. I'll let you guys know if/when they run into Bruce Bowen or Manu! lol lol