The energy in The Q is building up, high fives and fist bumps have been happening everywhere all day, everyone is extra focused and no words are needed to know what anyone around me is thinking... All that can only mean One thing... It's Game Day Baby!
Here we go Cavs Fanatics, its time once again to come together as ONE and let the opposition know that this is our house, our city, our game. We go live on TNT tonight at 8:30pm to show the world that this so called magic they've been seeing has been just an illusion. The Cavs are in the house and 20,562 Cav Fanatics will be standing tall in support of what we have all worked so hard for all season long, HOME COURT belongs to us and we shall not relinquish that to anyone!
I'll be checking in with more video clips of what's going on in pre-game so be sure to check in with me throughout the Eastern Conference Finals.
Amazing things are happening at The Q and I'm here to give you a little scoop at the behind the scenes of what happens before and after the BIG SHOW!
So far it's been a ride of a lifetime, with a league best and franchise record 66 win season and a sweep of the Pistons in round one! Coach Mike Brown winning the NBA Coach of the Year and last game, LeBron James accepted the NBA MVP award! "Amazing" is an understatement.
Tonight its Game 2 vs the Atlanta Hawks and I can't wait for it to start! I've been having such a great time this season but, like you, I'm excited the playoffs are here. ESPN is here and we go live at 8pm!
I'll be checking in throughout the playoffs with blogs and videos sharing my experiences, so sick with me and let's all enjoy this together, who knows...!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008, 01:32 PM EST
[General]
I know, I know, it's been way too long since we last spoke. I kid you not when I say that I have been so busy but I have great news...tomorrow is the last day I have to wake up at 5:30 a.m. Woo Hoo!!! Yippee!! Starting Friday, I start on the afternoon/evening shift and get to sleep in just a little bit. That's not the only thing that's cool about the evening shift, something else that rocks is that I will now get to announce for both the Men's and Women's USA teams. I'm really looking forward to that.
So far I've had a great time calling games for teams from all over the globe. I've seen some great basketball and the crowds are amazing. People come from all over the world to support their teams and sing their country's song. The Lithuanian fans are decked out in flags and are a positive force in the stands for their team. The Greeks have the huge bass drums and their chant of Hellas, Hellas! Russian fans are all about the RUSSIA cheer and the local fans...wow the local fans are just as amazing! They cheer for other counties and seem to have a soft spot for the underdog. One of the most amazing experiences I've had so far was when China's men's team played Spain and everyone stood for the national anthem of China. The entire crowd sang in unison! What a moment, and what a game. Spain won in overtime but to me that was more than a basketball game, it symbolized what the Olympics are all about. Both teams did their best and put on a great show for the crowd while the crowd cheered the entire game. I mean they were really the sixth man out there, every play, every shot; they were on the edge of their seat, oooing and ahhhing at everything. The locals had their chants and the Spain supporters were Ole-ing the whole game. In the end every fan cheered for all the athletes after giving their all and for allowing amazing memories to be created. I know I'll never forget my first ever game calling for the Chinese national team on their home court.
I'm sure you must be wondering how the NAME CALLING has been going and rightfully so. Well, since you asked...lol...it hasn't been easy but I think we're doing pretty well. Picture eight teams in one day, that's four games with 30 players a game from everywhere other then the USA. AHHHHHHH!!!! Croatia, Russia, Latvia, Spain, Argentina, Lithuania, Mali, Korea, Czech Republic, Belarus, Greece and the list goes on and on. That's 120 foreign names in one day, CRAZYNESS!!! I LOVE IT!! Did I mention CHINA?!!!
-The Craziest game has to be the China-Spain game.
-The biggest shot so far came from Lithuania's Linas Kleiza, who hit a 3 point shot almost at the buzzer to give Lithuania the win against Argentina.
-Toughest name to say...where do I begin?
Other than basketball, let me tell you what I've been up to these past few days. I'm sure you've seen the pictures of my dinners and the food I've had. The hot pot dinner was by far the best. (Ya, I'm wearing a bib but so is Paul and we're cool like that!) I've never been much of a fondue or hot pot kind of guy, unless chocolate is involved, but this was a must and I ate well. I've also ventured out to an outdoor food market which if I didn't see it; I would not have believed my eyes. I mean they had everything from scorpions on a stick (little ones and not so little ones), fried star fish, snake on a stick, even fish on a stick that's been fried and looks like a Popsicle. But the thing that really freaked me out was also on a stick and came from a lamb...need I say more?!!! HA!
There are amazing sights still to see and many more stories which I'll gladly share with you over time. As for right now, I'm going to hit the sack because like I said, tomorrow is still a 5:30 a.m. wake up call. I'll be sending over some more videos of the ever popular, Olivier's Beijing Reality Series on Cavfanatic.com just as soon as I can.
In the mean time, keep all those amazing comments coming and keep checking back. Just like you, I can't wait to see what's next!
So it's crazy, I flew half way around the world to a place I've only seen on TV and what happened my first day?! You have to hear this...
I headed out to go shopping and ended up at this crazy market called Yashow Clothing Market, picture a seven story mall with roughly 50 shops on each floor. Now these were not your ordinary shops, they sell everything under the sun like tailor-made suits, jeans, running shoes (not real Jordans by the way, Ahmaad), electronics, sun glasses...by the way, the sales lady yelled at me, but I still got my price and a smile from her when I left =). There were also purses, traditional artifacts, luggage, you name it, they had it! Needless to say I picked up a few things for a very reasonable price (no Ahmaad, no Jordans). Only buy good shoes, you have to take good care of your feet!
Once I finished shopping, I decided to join my new friend Katherine to go for a foot massage and manicure. Ahhhhhh...I didn't want to leave. But I did only to walk down the street to a massage parlor and get a traditional Chinese massage. Anyways, after that, we headed out to this awesome restaurant called The Olive, cool huh, Olivier goes to The Olive, and I had roasted duck on a bed of shredded potato...mmmm good, actually really good because no Imodium needed!!! We sat outside the restaurant, which was directly in front of Worker's Stadium. Then, we watched as many gathered outside the stadium and danced the night away!
I came home a little while later and hit the sack. I needed to rest for what was gonna be my first day at the basketball venue. So the next morning we headed out to the Wukesong Culture and Sports Center, where I couldn't believe my eyes. The building that I have seen on TV and on the net was getting closer and closer. Everyone in our bus was pretty cool and laid back, but I was like a little kid, at least on the inside. I walked slowly through the security tent and kept my emotions in check, but boy was I freaking out. I was here...I am here...just telling you about it is giving me goose bumps! All of that was nothing compared to what it was like when I walked into the bowl. Lights were still off, it was chilly because of the A/C, and I heard music. When I saw the court that the world will be watching and I will be announcing from, I said to myself, "I'm here, I'm here, I made it to the Olympics!" (Thanks Mom!)
I don't feel that I can really explain how things really are to me over here. I'm more of a person that has to tell you face-to-face, I feel like I can describe things to you better if I was using my hands and expressions and just the sheer excitement in my voice. But I'm doing my best to really fill you in. My internet connection is really slow, so if you're wondering why I am not responding to your comments, now you know. It's really that slow. I can read the great comments you've left so far and I look forward to reading much more, but I'll only be able to respond once I get back home, and believe me I will. So keep 'em coming and I'll continue to fill you in while I dirty my keyboard with the occasional drop of peanut butter or jam!
Be safe, and I'll drop you another blog ASAP! GOLD BABY GOLD!!!!!
Well I am finally in China, and have posted the first video of what I hope will be my own little reality show of what its like being in Beijing and at the Olympic games!
I'll be sending over videos and pics throughout my trip to keep you in the loop of what's going on over on this side of the world, so keep coming back!
Like I said in the video, I'm off to have breakfast and then it's a day of shopping that I understand will be one for the ages.
It's great having you along for the ride, I can't wait to see what's next!
