As our time spent at the beautiful Greenbrier Resort covering the NBA’s New Orleans Pelicans came to a close several things stood out. For one, everyone involved in the Pelicans organization was a class act, and as professional as it gets. This whole endeavor started in August when I found out that an NBA team was coming back to the state of West Virginia for the first time since 1994 when the Los Angeles Lakers played host to the Washington Bullets (In which I also attended media day and the game at the ripe old age of 12). My first thought when the word got out that the Pelicans would come to the Greenbrier was “I gotta get credentials for that”! So, after contemplating that it might be a shot in the dark given that I had only ever covered high school sports and WVU/Marshall, I figured I would give it a shot. Then on September 29th the email came! It had the media schedule and info on it followed by the words “We hope you have everything you need and enjoy your time spent with us at the Greenbrier”. I had fullfilled a dream that started long before the website and radio gig (which has only been the better part of two years in the making). A bucket list item on our resume was complete!
Our day one of media coverage started during a full scrimmage that was scheduled to last a couple of hours. We got some great shots and video during the scrimmage. As far as the game itself goes we were really impressed with the Pelicans very deep guard play. Newly acquired guards Norris Cole and Eric Gordon were at the top of their game. Gordon eventually took over the scrimmage shooting the lights out. Power Forward and sharp shooter Ryan Anderson’s game was on point as well. Superstar Anthony “Unibrow” Davis struggled a bit, but will surely clean up the rust and get things going in time for the season. Well traveled Kendrick Perkins has been a favorite of mine since he came in the league due to his passion and intensity for the game. In my opinion Perkins has been under utilized since leaving the Oklahoma City Thunder. This prompted me to ask the legend Alvin Gentry who will be the Pelicans first year coach whether or not he planned to use Perkins a little more than Cleveland did last year, he laughed and said “Absolutely, Kendrick was brought in to be a veteran mentor and obviously play a little more”. Coach Gentry also sparked up a conversation about the Chicago Cubs given I had my Cubs hat on as usual! Our media day one had ended, but I made it a point to go over to the Pelicans Director of Basketball Communications whom I had spoken with several times to tell him how much we appreciated the opportunity. I asked him if we were to make our way to New Orleans would It be possible to cover a Pelicans home game court-side, he replied, “absolutely”, handed me his business card and told me to “shoot him an email”. Needless to say I was giddy with excitement!
Media Day 2: Day two was a closed practice until the last 30 minutes of the session that would be open to the media. We awaited in a media workroom that had been set up for the few days of camp where they would come and get us as soon as the media portion of practice had begun. We were able to get some great sound-bytes and video from Eric Gordon and Alvin Gentry. The photos and videos can be viewed in the photos tab of the site, and also the video tab, along with our YouTube channel. After all was said and done I was able to get a picture with Kendrick Perkins, Alvin Gentry, Tyreke Evans, and Jeff Adrien. Also in attendance for the duration of camp was former Lakers Head Coach and West Virginia native Mark D’Antoni.
In closing I will always remember my first big time credentials in a professional sport for this event. I cannot say thank you enough for all that were involved and how well we were treated. As we continue to build a resume the goal is always to get better at what we do and continue to bring this state unique material. I look forward to my visit to New Orleans covering the Pelicans court-side. During the duration of our stay we will also try to take in a Saints game with credentials the same weekend! See you soon NOLA!
Written By: Joshua Petry
For more Blogs visit:https://sportsnerdz.com/blogs/
*This Blog Contains Affiliate Links*
