2016 May 15
It’s been a drizzling dreary day. The good part was sleeping
in was the first agenda item. Breakfast wasn’t until 8:30 am. The bad part was
the bus ride in the rain, couldn’t see much out the window. I have been passing
time reading several things: magazines, a couple books, and things I have
stored on my phone. All those things I say I will get to if I ever have some
free time. One book is a Tami Hoag mystery about a potential serial killer in
Minnesota. I read one of her books the last time I came to China and thought it
fitting to do so again.
The afternoon was unscheduled, but with the rain I didn’t
feel motivated to go out. Time seemed to pass slowly. Three players and the
Cheer Squad went to a sponsor photo shoot at 5:45. Robert traveled with them. I
had the rest of the players and the promoter with me 30 minutes later. We all
arrive at the arena about the same time and I think we are in good shape.
Think, thank, thunk. Turns out, one of the three players brought his white
uniform, instead of his green. Yes, they gave us green uniforms. Not the color
I would have picked for the USA, but they are decent quality: imagine Boston
Celtic green. We sent the bus driver
back to the hotel to get the uniform and he returns with moments to spare.
Game-time:
This is the third game in three nights in three different
towns. My pregame speech is about just doing your job. We need to just take
care of the basics. The one complication is water leaks. Because of the daylong
rain, the roof has been leaking and there are puddles on the court. The players
don’t want to play and I do not blame them. There is considerable conversation
and anxiety about it. The thought of playing cross-court is considered. The
arena would put baskets opposing themselves at center court to take advantage
of the driest part of the wood. Really? Yes, indeed really. I was thinking how
mad I would be if I bought center court lower level tickets and they turned out
to be behind the basket seating. The good news is the rain stopped, the leaks
slowed to almost none, and the game was played on time and in the right
direction.
As for the game, we were in control, but took a while to
command. A three point lead became five. Which in time stretched to seven. The
action was tense. The play was physical. As our lead increased, the Chinese
team became more frustrated. American players tend to wear their hearts on the
sleeves and tonight was no exception. I am not quite sure why our players talk
to the refs, other than out of habit. All the ref sees is this giant of man
yelling at him, waving his arms, and acting wild. The refs warned the benches
that the calls would be tighter to avoid further incidents. Remember, this is a
culture based on respect. By halftime we were up a dozen.
I was pleased with the way our second group was playing and
decided to start the second half with them. There was no complaining. A far cry
from where we have been and a true sign of growth. That unit plays well and
withstands the urgent effort of the Chinese team to get within striking
distance before the game was out of hand. When it was time to sub, we were up
13. The next group takes the court and things change. Sometimes it harder to
play with a lead than it is to chase. With a lead, you can take a chance with a
pass, take a shot that may be ill advised. The thinking being it’s just one
possession. We have a lead, why not. The problem isn’t just one. The problem is
a snowball rolling down the hill. If everyone is out for themselves, the why
shouldn’t I be? One selfish decision becomes two, three, four. And at the end
of the 3rd quarter, we are only up 6. I sub in the second half
starters and it is back to basics. They build the lead back to a dozen by the
time we usually make the subs. I turn to the guys on the bench and tell them I
am enjoying watching this group play and I am leaving them in. again, no one
complained as they clearly saw the same thing I was seeing. With about 4 minutes
left in the quarter, I sub. We are up 19 points and the game is in hand. But
the game is not over. The next few minutes are physical and intense.
Culminating with one of their players throwing an elbow into the jaw of
Marshall Henderson, Ole Miss. Marshall attacks the guy and the benches erupt.
In the USA, there would be ejections and fines. There were neither here
officially, but I walked Marshall to the locker room and told him to stay
there. We finished out the final minute incident free, got through the
handshake line, and got out of there. Four games, four wins.
The promoter takes us to Pizza Hut after the game, when we
arrive everything was waiting, 10 single sized pizzas, 10 drinks, 10 chicken
wing apps. We sat and ate and left. I was thankful not to have a repeat of the
last restaurant fiasco. The rain has returned and the ride back to the hotel is
quiet. We do not play tomorrow, but will be on the road again in the morning.
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