What NBA player or players have you met?

[lbgreen33]

So another topic got me thinking of all the players I have met. Who was really cool? I am a cameraman and was lucky to meet many players.  I will start. I worked for Ray Allen. He was really nice and great to work with. Definitely one of my favorites for Many reasons!!
 I met Vince Carter his rookie year, he was Awesome!!! really funny and super humble. Penny Hardaway, was kind of shy, Super nice though. I met Magic a few times, he was all business. My All time Favorite was KC Jones! He talked all about family and gave me advice, always put your family first. Anyway, what NBA player did you meet? what were they like?

[bdm860]

When I was a teen I went to Vin Baker's basketball camp for a couple of summers.  I've heard stories of some pros having camps and they just show up on the final day for 20 minutes to hand out trophies, but Vin Baker was there every day interacting with the kids.  Got to guard him on a play, just remember how big and quick he was (compared to 14 year old me).  The only negative was the camp always advertised that some of Vin Baker's Bucks teammates would be making appearances, but they never did.

Met the entire 2008 team (minus Ray and Scal, pre Cassell and Brown) at the airport in Toronto.  They all shook my hand.  But I remember James Posey actually seemed like he was intently listening to me (while everyone else pretty much shook my hand and moved on).

Met Donny Marshall (when he was a Celtics broadcaster) at a game in Dallas.  Most C's fan seemed to hate Donny, but he actually treated me great.  Had a real conversation with him that he kept going even after I gave him an out to walk away.  Was super nice to me.

Not an NBA player (nor a player any of you would have heard of), but a CCSU player came through the drive thru of the fast food restaurant I was working at, and seemed to light up when I knew who he was and complimented him on his skills.

[terra haute]

I went to High School with Shawn Kemp. Didn't know him really but ran into him a few times , but his sister was in my grade and had a class with her gave a her a ride along with a cpl other friends a few times. We were Srs he was Freshman.

[Roy H.]

Nobody too exciting.  I had drinks with Brad Wannamaker before he made the NBA, as well as Mardy Collins.  I was good friends with somebody really well-connected to the Philly high school and college scene.  Both seemed like good people; no notable stories to share, other than that both were extremely gracious with my friend and his family.

I've spoken with members of the Celtics front office, but I got the sense I wasn't supposed to name names. 

[Cman]

"met"?

Here's my encounters (outside of a game):
-Perkins at his first summer league signed an autograph (he wasn't playing; maybe he injured his foot?)
-Ainge also did, and I got him to laugh at something I said (but don't remember what it was)
-Saw Jermaine O'Neal at the PDX airport when he was still with the Blazers (might have been his 2nd year -- he wore really high socks)
-The Chief, at the MSP airport. He towered above everyone else, and I couldn't stop smiling at him. I think he thought I was loco....

[Moranis]

Don't think I've met any NBA players (maybe a few autograph signing type things, but nothing that stands out - same with MLB).  I have met a few NFL players (went to high school with one and my wife's friend dated another for awhile) and a whole heck of a lot of MMA/Boxers. 

[Roy H.]

Don't think I've met any NBA players (maybe a few autograph signing type things, but nothing that stands out - same with MLB).  I have met a few NFL players (went to high school with one and my wife's friend dated another for awhile) and a whole heck of a lot of MMA/Boxers.

Yeah, I've had a lot more experience with other sports.

My cousin played professional baseball.  Even made an all-star team!  I met most of the Pirates at that time, with A.J. Burnett standing out as a legitimately great dude.  I've also met Roger Clemens twice when he's made trips to Maine.

I have another cousin who played in the NHL.  He played 450+ games.  I got to meet a few of the Coyotes players over the years.

I met Shannon Miller, the gymnast.  Went to BC Law, although she didn't go on to practice.

I've met a couple of low-level NFL players.  Hung out at a Chinese restaurant lounge with Marvin Hagler.  I've met quite a few low-level MMA fighters, because my cousin is a fighter with one of the promotions.  Or he was, until he started having stroke-like symptoms in his 30s.  One of my good friends has dated a couple of NASCAR drivers, so I've met them, too.

And, I dated one of Paul Pierce's tutors from KU. 

Lots of encounters with celebrities and politicians over the years.

[Csfan1984]

Have family that are connected to multiple Celtics family. But I don't intrude or ask to meet the players. Even though I could meet probably 5 or more former players and likely two current players or more by going to a hosted event. I just don't want to make them feel uncomfortable fan geeking.

It's literally family gatherings on my cousins' married side. The C's are very much a family and the bonds between former players is still there. Guys support one another stronger than most of us can know. Players are closer than co workers because of how they relate and trust one another. Players need players to coop with life. Mentors and friends are important to their well being.

I just wished the players knew my respect for their privacy while being such a huge fan to be on sites nonstop and eat up all contents and games + merchandise. I'm their ideal fan I suppose, love them but let their personal lives be personal.

[Redz]

I did a bunch of one-on-one interviews at Celtics media day the year after Bird retired.  I was doing a local access sports show the Continental Cable.  Got to sit down with McHale, Dee Brown and Xavier McDaniels amongst others (did not get to interview Parish).

They were all great.  I had McHale chuckling, and almost in tears sentimentally recalling his days in Minnesota playing high school ball.  Dee Brown, fresh off the dunk contest win the year before, loved reminiscing over his first dunk. X-Man asked if he could get free cable for the interview.

It was a fun time.

[Redz]

Played a game of pickup hoops with Larry Bird's brother one time.  LOL does that count?

He looked like an older, shorter, fatter Larry.

[bdm860]

I've spoken with members of the Celtics front office, but I got the sense I wasn't supposed to name names.

And, I dated one of Paul Pierce's tutors from KU. 

Would love some more details on these.  How did you end up talking to front office folks?

And any superficial dirt on Paul Pierce's study habits?  He was always late, didn't try, joked around the whole time, was really smart, good at History, etc.?



Oh ya, and on my list I forgot, I've talked to (or at least exchanged messages with) Vice President, Basketball Strategy and Analytics for the Chicago Bulls.  Even had his number at one point too.  But a lot of us had probably had interactions with him.

[liam]

I met DJ when he was coaching in Austin Texas... Really nice guy...

Shook McHale's hand in the Garden... Big hands...

I met Dave Cowans at his camp in the 70s...He looked bigger than I thought...

I met Denis Rodman in Austin on 6th street... He looked like a 7 footer...

I met Lance Blanks in Austin... He rode in my cab...

I Met Rick Fox at downtown crossing in Boston... They let him go to the Lakers... Ick...

[liam]

Double post...

[Donoghus]

Antoine Walker, Michael Bradley, Troy Bell, Craig Smith, Jared Dudley, Ryan Gomes, & Time Lord.  I think that's it.

Quite the eclectic mix. 

[Celtic]

As a kid Rick Fox, Allah Abdelnaby, Bob Cousy, Red Auerbach, Michael Thompson, my elementary school gym teacher had a cup of coffee in the NBA.

As a teenager/college, Dana Barros, Rafer Alston, played against them, did not go well for me. Also a guy who played on the Croatian Olympic team, he was 7'3 and an average player, but absolutely massive, bunch of d-league/euro league guys too. Half Man Half Amazing from And1.

As an adult, Robert Parish, Gerald Green, Cedric Maxwell, Ricky Davis, KG.

Definitely more that I am forgetting.