NBA Exhibition Game in Mazatlán/Baloncesto NBA

The NBA exhibition game held on October 6, 2011 at the Lobodome - University of Durango was a great experience. The three of us went along with Danny's good friend, Raúl.

The all-day investment to get tickets paid off as we ended up with floor level seats three rows back and just about under the basket.

If you look closely at this picture, I have circled our seats - left side of the far side basket, at the top of the picture.

Najera, an NBA player who we believe is from Chihuahua, seemed to have a joy-filled evening welcoming his buddies to his home country. He shot both the first and the last baskets of the evening. I tried to talk to him, but I think he looked right over my head - damn I'm short compared to these guys.

The players were really nice to the kids in the crowd.

Here is a video of a slam dunk!

Video of a dunk

Tip Off!

This drum troop was standing outside getting people excited as we entered the school. I don't think they were official.

In the central courtyard of University of Durango they had a big-screen set up, so that those without tickets could still watch the game.

The event was MUCH better organized (at least upon entry) than the last LoboDome event we attended.

Third row, courtside, under the basket = happy jovenes.

Small venue, clear view, happy night.

The guys tried out the floor for themselves prior to the game. It met with their approval. :)

 Balls are ready to go for warm up.

And the first player out for warm up is Najera.

"Sure, kid, nice to meet you. Your English is really good!" If we brought a ball or a shirt or something, the players were signing everything.

Come on, come on! :)

 Playing with a boy from the audience. This kid had game.

The crowd in the upper deck.

 

Governor Malova greeting the crowd.

Pre-game video

Video of the pre-game excitement, leading up to the players coming in

Players enter the gym

Free-throw sequence:

Sequence of four: Look

Shoot

Block

Score

We were definitely right in the midst of the action

"Astros," a local school dance and cheer team, performed at half time.

Sequence of 4: Get the ball

Float in the air with the ball

Decide to slam it

And score

The boys got all the freebies. Now what do they do with them?

The bench. Marion was definitely Dianne's personal fave.

The Lobo mascot, and some clam?

The Coppel stork? A CULTURA mascot? I thought the stork was from Mega - who knows!

Oh yeah!

Danny's friend Iván told him they are working on some public camping areas! Awesome news! He also said the state wants to do this event again next year with better players - bring it on!

"I've got it! I've got it!"

"I told you I had it!!!"

With less than one minute to go, there is suddenly a very dramatic push and fall. Which of course resulted in a tied score and overtime. How coincidentally lucky for all of us. :D Good showmanship.

And, the final shots of the game:

Final score - think about it - four 10 minute periods and one three minute overtime. You got it. No defense - it was a terrific offensive exhibition - these guys got real talent and it was a lot of fun to watch 334 points get scored in 43 minutes (almost 8 per minute).

Confetti!!!

The exit from an event at the LoboDome is never easy... Huge crowd for such a narrow exit, don't you think?

Other stuff: A video of the warm-up

And a video of the cheerleaders lifting El Lobo.

Playing around and having fun!

Dianne was really excited to see the big boys play

Good friends going on four years - nice to see two nice young men.

For a video news report of this event, click here.

This is the second part of a two part blog entry - for the first part, click here.