Like Losing a Friend

In my last post, I mentioned that I attended Game 3 of the Utah Jazz- Golden State Warriors series last Friday. It was an absolute blast! I have been to hundreds of sporting events in my day and this one definitely ranks in the top ten (I’ll write a post that breaks down the actual list. Off the top of my head, 1995 Final Four Championship, 2002 World Cup- US v. Mexico, 2006 NCAA Sweet 16- UCLA v. Gonzaga, the list goes on and on).

This post though is not about the game, but the effect that the game had on one of my dear traveling companions, my Tamron 28mm-200mm camera lens. I had been having troubles with the lens in recent months, but the lens finally went into “completely screwed mode” midway through the first quarter. Here is a picture of one of my last good photos.

Here is my camera's last picture:

Tragic. The zoom action on the lens was having problems moving in and out and I may have forced it a bit in my exuberance, but the result is what you see above. The horror!

I brought it into to a camera store to see if there was any way to resuscitate the Tamron, but the guy suggested that I’m better off getting a new lens. He also mentioned that it looked like it was dropped. This lens has traveled with me all over the world and I do not recall dropping it. The only difference is that I now attach the lens to a digital camera body that I received for Christmas. I feel like the problems began with this switch but I cannot be sure.

Like any good father or friend, I decided to get a second opinion and took the lens to Adolph Gasser Inc, widely known as the premier camera store in all of San Francisco. Now the lens remains at the store awaiting the results of a $15 estimate. I may have just dropped $15 to hear them tell me that the lens is screwed, but a new lens of this magnitude costs around $300, so I figure the $15 is worth finding out a proper diagnosis.

Keep your fingers crossed!

Observations from a Painful Game 2

Last night’s Warriors loss to the Utah Jazz in Game 2 of the 2007 Western Conference Semifinals was as tough to swallow as any playoff loss in recent Bay Area sports history.

Others that immediately come to mind include: Game 6 of the 2002 World Series (Giants v. Angels)—Giants were leading 5-0 in the top of the seventh inning with a chance to wrap up their first world championship since moving to San Francisco. Then their bullpen gives up 3 runs in the seventh, 3 runs in the eighth and go on to lose the game 6-5 and eventually the series.

1991 NFC Championship Game- (SF v. NY) 49ers were a game away from heading to (and likely winning) their third straight Super Bowl. With the ball and a one point lead with less than three minutes to go, Roger Craig fumbles, Lawrence Taylor recovers it and the Giants Matt Bahr goes on to kick the winning field goal and the New York Giants go on to win the Super Bowl.

Last night, the Warriors were up by five points with 30 seconds remaining, and thanks to missing three out of four free throws, the Jazz tie the game at the end of regulation and eventually run away with the game in overtime. Absolutely shocking and brutal.

Ahhh, sports. Based on the first two games, I would argue that the Warriors could be up 2-0 and 1-1 at the very least. Unfortunately, luck, fate, or inability to close on the road reared its ugly head and the Warriors are facing an absolutely must-win on Friday in Oakland.

Fear not, True Believers! The Warriors have been amazing at home thus far and should prevail Friday with the help of a raucous home crowd. Returning to Utah for Game 5 tied up at 2-2 is not out of the question, and I think the Warriors should still feel confident enough to beat the Jazz despite two excruciatingly close losses. I BELIEVE!!

One last observation: I watched the game at my brother’s place last night for the mojo and also because of his epic HD quality screen. It’s a unsettling sight to see an NBA arena completely full of white people. Thanks to HD technology, detailed shots of fans come in clearly throughout the game and there was not a single Asian, African-American, or Latino person to be seen. Interestingly, there were also a lot more women in the crowd than normal as well. I guess it makes sense considering a majority of Jazz fans have three wives.

(Update: I just scored a ticket for tomorrow night's Game 3 in Oakland. Will have photos and an entry detailing the excitement.)

Warriors-Blazers:Third Quarter Notes

9:14

They just mentioned that the Warriors are 9-1 in the last 10 games. Getting hot at the right time indeed. The Rose Garden in Portland looks to be full on this final regular season game of the year, but its absolutely silent. Its like the fans are watching a play or something.

Warriors up by 25 points.

Did you know that the Warriors haven’t made the playoffs in 12 years? If not, the announcers are mentioning it every five minutes. They mentioned the starting five of their last playoff team. Avery Johnson, Sprewell, Webber, Mullin, and a fifth that I missed. Pretty sweet.

5:31

The Blazers aren’t even pretending to be interested in playing defense. When Baron is driving and kicking out, not a single Blazer is extending out to challenge the jumpshot, its pretty pathetic.

The highlight thus far has been the music the stadium plays when certain Blazers score. When Travis Outlaw scores, the sound system plays the famous whistle from the Clint Eastwood westerns. I believe its from “The Outlaw Josie Wales” or “the Good, the Bad and the Ugly”. Even better, when Martell Webster scores, they play a few notes from the “Webster” theme song. Hilarious.

2:34

They just flashed as stat that the Warriors lead the NBA in steals, scoring, 3 pointers made in April. Is it possible they could pull the upset in the first round? (They’re up by 24 so no jinx can ruin this victory.)

End of the Third Quarter

Travis Outlaw is on fire. The Clint Eastwood music is going off every thirty seconds now. Blazers cut it to 17 (94-77). Damn, I hope I didn’t screw them.

The announcer just said, “12 minutes to go to end 12 years of waiting!”

Sweet.