For those of you out there that don't know me, I'm the hometown kid that has grown up with the Suns since the age of 13, with a behind the scenes look spanning over 10 Suns seasons.
No, my credentials don’t go as far as say NBA Trainer, or Sports Columnist, even “Superfan” (but I bet you that I could give Adam Beechen a run for his money, sans the Purple and Orange Nike Classics).
Since 1998, I’ve had the privilege of working as a Team Attendant in the Visiting Locker room. Spending eight years tending to visiting team players, coaches and staff, I’ve incorporated a trust which has also transformed into some unique relationships. You gather a lot of experiences through the years and hear a lot of the stories, inside jokes, and primal fears that opponents cringe about whenever they do visit the Valley of the Sun.
Being a product of Arizona State University I tend to have closer ties with players that came out of ASU. When there is a Sun Devil in the NBA that makes their way back to their alma matter, it’s always good to catch up with them. Recently former Sun and SUN DEVIL Eddie House (on the injured list that night) was in town.
Before the game, each team and individual player have their own pre-game rituals. Some players that I have seen in the visiting locker room get reps in on an exercise ball or ride a stationary bike to get their heart rate pumping. One player (that’ll remain anonymous) drinks four cups of coffee before a game, and eats 2 quarter-pounders with cheese. In an effort to interrupt those rituals, every now and again you will see something creative appear in the visiting locker room to give a previous Suns player or staff member a hard time. On this night, House was the victim of a mock scouting report pasted in the New Jersey locker room by Suns video coordinator Noel Gillespie and assistant video coordinator Jason March, with the aid of assistant trainer Mike Elliot.
With 50:00 on the clock prior to game time, I still hadn’t seen Eddie in the visitor’s locker room and the scouting report that had been pasted on the wall that separates the training room from the locker room was gone. Franticly running tickets to will call, preparing heat packs and making ice bags before the Nets started their pre-game meeting at 45:00, I ran a last minute errand into the Suns locker room. As I was opening the doors, I was quipped to find suit-wearing House and a crowd of three to four Suns players huddled around him laughing, and pointing at some of the excerpts from the scouting report for “Edward Shooter Hands”:
CLOSE AND CONTEST. He won’t shoot unless he touches the ball
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF HIS D AND BUM KNEE. He gets lost and is open to backcuts. He is also not very strong physically. Talks about accountability, but points fingers… a lot like the Oakland Raiders.
HABITUAL TOE STEPPER. Wear steel-toed boots around him
STAY TIGHT AND CHASE OFF SCREENS. Was very good using screens door J’s before his love handles. At his best in the buffet line – hasn’t missed a meal since signing with Jersey.
Knowing that this was all in good fun for both sides, Eddie remains the premier locker room guy in the NBA, an X-factor that gets a team riled up with his straight-up humor and a swagger that transcends on and off the court.
He’s that crazy Uncle Tony that visits you unexpectedly during the Holidays, and can’t help but just “ooh and ahh” you when he’s pulling out his magic tricks.
Comments
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very nicely done! go Suns,#50, and ASU!
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wow! this is a great story. give this kid a promotion!
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This is the greatest piece of journalism ever written. Please have Ron replace Nash next game. Go sasquatch.
SQUIRRELY - SCOTTSDALE,AZ
I'm sure everyone in the locker rooms had a good laugh about that one, I know I did!! We should get Eddie back so he could do some blogs. Just imagine the funny stuff he could come up with! Fantastic writing Aaron, keep the inside info coming to us!
Allie - Phx
Chops you rule!
Keith Nichter - Chandler
Hey whats up Aaron? I see your taking on new responsibilities and its well deserved...great article...whens the ike blog gonna be? GO DEVILS AND SUNS!!!!
Christina S. - S.A. Tx
Hey there Aaron, looks like your doing pretty well for yourself. I liked your story. I always thought you had talent.
Eddie Lopez - Scottsdale
Hey great post, Aaron. You're making us proud--your fellow natives, Sun Devils, LSP Alums, and lifelong Suns fans. Keep posting, buddy. GO DEVILS! GO SUNS!
Mike - San Diego
That was written very well......Oh snap you give heat and ice packs too! Eddie looks like he has a miniscule head in relation to his body.
Aaron - Milwaukee
I think someone needs to ask Noel about the time a 12 year old beat him up when he was working as a security guard at Summerfest in college. It may not top the scouting report on Eddie House, but it will be better than a 2-hand Amare powerhouse throwdown.
Greg D - Phoenix
whats up my friend its your old locker room attendant nice to see ya still excelling in life have a good one my friend!
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