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 The 2007 Suns.com Blogger Summit
Posted By: Adam Beechen |
 The first annual Suns.com Blogger Summit was exhausting.
(Josh Greene/Suns Photos) |
I submitted my request to my writer colleagues, but unfortunately, Steve Koek wrote back that he would be busy “washing his hair.” Tom Leander, James Jones and Aaron Nelson likewise replied that they would be doing the very same thing. So did Gary Bender, Brad Faye, Ann Meyers Drysdale, Joe Gilmartin, Marcus Banks, Jeramie McPeek, Jamie Morris, Adam Green, Erik Phillips, Eddie Johnson, Aaron Kimberlin, and the Suns Dancers.
Rather than be suspicious and insulted by this incredible coincidence, I decided to applaud them for their water-conservation efforts, as they are all, apparently, showering together.
Luckily, Suns center Sean Marks proved to be available for the landmark summit I had in mind. Not that I gave him much choice – I staked out his locker.
The following is the transcript of our historic conversation.
* * *
ADAM BEECHEN: Sean, thanks for taking the time to speak with me.
SEAN MARKS: Sure. Excuse me, though, you’re in my chair.
AB: Oh, sorry. I’ll just sit over here.
SM: That’s Boris’ locker.
AB: Okay, I’ll hop up on this table…
STEVE NASH: (passing by, to Suns trainers) Hey, who’s this on the training table?
AB: Maybe I’ll stand. Okay, let’s get started. How did you enjoy your regular season?
SM: Well, it was tremendous. We played great, everyone gets along really well, and we feel like, with the playoffs here, the best is yet to come.
AB: No, I meant your BLOGGING season.
SM: My blogging season?
AB: Yeah. I mean, personally, I feel like I had a terrific rookie campaign. Sentence construction worthy of a veteran, very few spelling errors… Sure, there are still some things to work on, like making sure I always write in active voice and not passive, but man, I really feel good about it. How about you?
SM: Oh, um… Sure. I enjoy doing the blogs and I feel good about them.
AB: No, I meant how do you feel about MY blogs?
SM: Uh… Great. I think you did really good work.
AB: Thanks! Now, it’s a long season, we all know that. How do you keep from wearing out? How do you keep from hitting “the wall?”
SM: We’ve got the best training staff in the NBA, and they always make sure we’re at our physical peak. Life on the NBA’s courts is so rugged and physical, your body has to be prepared to deliver a 110% effort every night, and –
AB: Actually, I was more talking about “the wall” for blogging. You know, when you just can’t think of anything because you feel like you’ve written everything there is to write, and you stare at the ceiling for hours, and you cry a lot, and you eat four containers of ice cream in a single sitting because man, it just tastes so good, and nothing else will fill the dark, yawning pit of emptiness inside you, and –
SM: (nervous) I just write about whatever’s going on.
AB: Yeah, me too, pretty much. So, how about those blogging injuries?
SM: Excuse me?
AB: Like, back in February? I typed an entire blog with this really painful hangnail on my left ring finger. Hitting those “s,” “w,” and “a” keys was excruciating, but hey, the team needed me, so what was I gonna do, sit on the bench?
SM: You injured yourself BLOGGING?
AB: You’ve got to play through the pain, am I right?
SM: Yeah, that was really… courageous of you.
AB: Thanks! Okay, let’s talk about the playoffs.
SM: Thank goodness.
AB: You’ve been around the league some… What can you tell us about the Suns’ opponents and who we might face down the road?
SM: Well, with the Lakers, first and foremost, you’re talking about Kobe Bryant, who’s such a complete player and can hurt you in so many ways… San Antonio has Tim Duncan, and he’s fundamentally brilliant and so hard to stop. Dirk Nowitzki’s in Dallas, and talk about hard to stop… When he gets rolling, you have to throw everything at him but the kitchen sink!
AB: Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitzki all do blogs?
SM: I have no idea.
AB: I’m talking about other teams’ bloggers, not players. Are they fluid typers? Can they tap with their left hands? Can they pull up and hit the space bar?
SM: I don’t read other teams’ blogs that often…
AB: Yeah! That’s the spirit! To heck with those other teams! Sure, your quote might make their locker room blackboards, but who cares?
SM: I seriously doubt other teams will care.
AB: Lastly, who do you think wins the MVP this year?
SM: (long, long pause) …You?
AB: (laughing) Dude, obviously I don’t play in the NBA! Come on!
SM: In that case, of course we’re all rooting for Steve Nash to make history and win the award for a third straight year.
AB: Wait, he’s already won it TWICE?!
AMARE STOUDEMIRE: (approaching, to security) Hey, who’s this leaning against my locker?!
AB: Well, Sean, looks like we’re about out of time. Thanks for participating in the first annual Suns.com Blogger Summit!
SM: It’s been a pleasure, I guess.
AB: (being dragged away by security) We’ll do it again next year!
AS: Who was that, Sean?
SM: No idea.
Comments
JOHN S. - SURPRISE AZ
WOKE UP TO A GREAT DAY (MON.) SUNS UP THREE GAMES TO ONE, MAVERICKS ON THE BRINK OF DISASTER, HOUSTON AND UTAH WEARING EACH OTHER OUT. IT COULDN'T GET ANY BETTER UNLESS DENVER WINS ANOTHER GAME TONIGHT AND EXTENDS THE SPURS. SPEAKING OF SPURS, DID YOU NOTICE THEY HAD TO GO TO HORRY TO BAIL THEM OUT LAST GAME. I'M TELLING YOU, IF THE SUNS IMPOSE THE WARP SPEED GAME WEV'E SEEN IN THE LAKER SERIES, THOSE OLD GUYS LEGS FROM SAN ANTONIO ARE GOING TO WOBBLE OFF LIKE OLD TIRES FROM RUSTY RIMS. MOVE OVER DUNCAN, YOU HAD A GREAT RUN, BUT THERE'S A NEW KID ON THE BLOCK, HIS NAME IS AMARE, AND HE'S BRINGING SEVEN RUNNING, GUNNING FRIENDS WITH HIM.
Lucy M. - Phoenix
Adam, just want to let you know how much I enjoy reading your blogs. Your stories are always so entertaining and funny. Keep doing the great job that you've been doing and I can't waint until your next blog. GO SUNS!!!
Susan :-) - Hawaii
Haha.."applauds, and whistles". GREAT blog Mr. Beechen! I nominate you as the "MVB" - most valuable blogger of the 2006-2007 NBA season. Phew, at least this time you were escorted out of the locker room and not thrown in a jail cell. Thanks for the laugh! Wow, talk about a solid regrouping of Game #4! Congrats to the Phoenix Suns, Coach D'Antoni and staffers on the "W"! Continue to be relentless, unwavering in your defensive strategy, and synergize as "one team". A special congrats to Mr. Raja Bell on being awarded to the NBA's 2007 All-Defensive team. I think Mr. Kobe Bryant can vouch for the "bull-dog defense" you've shown him so far. Good job! I'm hoping Mr. Marion will be awarded defensive player of the YEAR! No one can rebound, steal and block like the "Matrix"! He certainly deserves this award! I'm looking forward with much anticipation for Wednesday. I KNOW the Suns will rock the US Airways in their usual "up beat, up tempo" style. Game #5 is going to be the "ultimate dog fight". GOOO SUNS beat the Lakers! Sendin' much respect and admiration to the team! ~ Aloha ~
Bobby Shelton - modesto ca
In the playoffs they say the better team always wins in a seven game series. #1 seed Dallas is facing elimination with 3 games to play!! Did dallas dig themselves into a whole they can't get out of? Starting with inviting the Warriors into the play-offs on the last game of the season. Could there be a countenence of that's what you get on Clippers coach Mike Dunleavys face? One thing for certain although they had 67 wins and struted like world champions they are now on the slipery slope.One slip and the whole western scenerio changes.
Lori Ann - Sedona Superfan
Well Adam .....at least you have reached the "Blogging summit". I'm still on the "Blogging Bunny-Hill". I've gotta' tell you ---- for me .... it's tough getting up to that summit. Have you any idea how hard it is on one's boat with an obstacle course of Ponderosa pines in the way? Let's just say that The Arizona Snow Bowl emergency crew and I (and the city of Flagstaff) are on a first-name basis. Hey ---- it's a start !!? Adam, again --- you're a true inspiration to me and a gazillion other great Suns fans. Thanks for all that you do. When do you expect to release your book? I, for one, can't wait. You're the best !
Jimbob - Phoenix
Was this supposed to be funny?
dija - san francisco CA
HEY YOU GUYS TAKE CARE & BEAT LA!! THEN THE SPURS,SHAWN I KNOW YOU ARE A MAD MAD MAN RIGHT NOW, BECAUSE YOU DIDN'T GET THE DPOTY AWARD OR ALL-DEFENSE TEAM, (YOU DESERVED IT, YOU WERE ROBBED!) SO HERE'S WHAT YOU DO TRIX, YOU THROW A BLOCK PRATY!!!! & STEAL THE BALL (LIKE ITS A DIAMOND RING)& DUNK ON EVERY LA LAKER THAT IS IN YOUR WAY & DO ALL OF THAT TO THE SPURS & IN THE FINALS,& WHEN ITS ALL OVER YOU HAVE A BIG DIAMOND RING & THEY WILL SAY "SHAWN MARION FINALS MVP" THEN YOU WILL BE HAPPY. SUNS 2007 NBA CHAMPS!!!
Victoria - Las Vegas
I Love your blogs they are really the most entertaining. And how about Dallas i thought it maybe Phoenix and Dallas in the Western Conference Finals maybe...but they trail the Warriors 3-1...Who will Phoenix be better of facing...Well if they make it Pat SA or DEN.... Wich i hope they will.
Lori Ann - Sedona Superfan
CONGRATULATIONS "RAH-RAH" RAJA on being selected to the USA All-Defensive team !!! What an honor and so well deserved big guy !!! I'm sooooo proud and happy for you !!! We have a VERY special team indeed !!! GO SUNS !!!!!!
Lori Ann - Sedona Superfan
Jimbob ...... With all due respect......Perhaps you left your sense of humor in your other pants!!??? Cheer up ---- it's almost Wednesday ! GOOOOOOOOOO SUNS !!!
Carla - Cottonwood
You're funny in your own warped world way. ;)
I can hardly wait for tomorrows game. We have to BEAT LA!
I'm so happy for Raja, yet so sad for Matrix. He's done so much and he's always ignored. I agree, he needs to pull out all the stops. He's so relied upon for our team for where he defends, it's stupidity that the coaches don't see it. Raja, I'm happy and proud of you, I'm not taking away from what you've done through the year. We have the greatest TEAM in the NBA. Unselfish, and sharing in every way. And because I know this I believe the Suns will make it to the FINALS!
I just want to reiterate one thing....
BEAT LA BEAT LA BEAT LA BEAT LA BEAT LA!!
Bryce - Casa Grande
Very funny blog. Love the sense of humor.
Betty - Dallas (yes, Dallas!)
Since it looks like it will be the Suns v. the Spurs in the next round, I'd like to know what the Suns' record is against SA this year. Can someone post this answer?
Go, Suns!!!
JOHN S. - SURPRISE AZ
EXHALE FELLOW SUNS FANS, WE DID IT!!! IT WASN'T PRETTY BUT IT'S ON TO ROUND TWO. I WILL SAY THIS HERE AND NOW. UNLESS SUNS BRING THEIR "A" GAME EVERY NIGHT AGAINST SAN ANTONIO, THERE IS GOING TO BE MASS DEPRESSION IN ABOUT TWO WEEKS. THE SPURS ARE NOT THE BEAT UP LAKERS. COME ON GUYS, ODOM AND WALTON WERE WALKING WOUNDED, AND ODOM SCORES 33 POINTS. KWAME BROWN WAS WEARING A FLAK JACKET. WE PLAYED WAY TO SLOPPY FOR A CLOSE OUT GAME. THIS LEVEL IS NOT GOING TO GET IT DONE AGAINST THE SPURS. IT SEEMS LIKE SUNS JUST CAN'T STRING TWO GREAT GAMES TOGETHER. I'M HOPING IT'S JUST THE PLAY TO YOUR LEVEL SYNDROME. WE HAVE BEEN FORE WARNED BY THE WAY SPURS CRUSHED DENVER. THIS IS WHAT WE WAITED FOR ALL SEASON. GO GET THEM SUNS!!!
Valerie - Phoenix
Adam, just to let you know, I love the heart and passion you put into your blogging. I'm so funny, I know. Obviously you put a lot of time into your writing, and it sure pays off! Love reading your blogs!!!
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