Stephen A. Smith Heckled at the 2009 NBA Draft: The Final Chapter. June 29, 2009
Posted by mb in Deadspin Hall of Fame, saving the world, stephen a. smith heckling society of gentlemen.2 comments
Deadspin H.O.F. Class of 20??
I am quite pleased with the way this turned out. There wasn’t a lot of great footage from the draft itself, as 1) I only had one beer beforehand and 2) this was a remarkably dull draft, and so inspiration was in short supply. But the other stuff… yeah, I’m happy. I marvel at how draining an experience this was — work has been very time intensive lately, and doing this at all involved sacrificing some sleep and some brain cells. I’m also stunned that everyone from NBA Security seemed to know who I was — and that they were also quite cordial and complimentary. And more people than ever went up to me — sometimes when I didn’t have the sock on or camera out — to shake my hand and meet the Stephen A. heckling guy. People wanted pictures. Very surreal.
Allow me a rant: The NBA, in its infinite wisdom, sold fewer than 400 day-of tickets Thursday. My guy got there at 7:30 am, only to be denied along with the overwhelming majority of people who showed up. I cannot begin to understand why, at a venue that seats over 3000 people, you’d suddenly reserve fewer than 400 tickets for actual fans who get on line early in the morning — taking days off from work, in many cases. It’s not like this is the Oden-Durant year, or the LeBron year (tickets were much, much easier to get a hold of the LeBron year). The NFL Draft works largely because it’s a populist event. It takes great pains to do well by its fans. It’s impossible to imagine the NFL giving away almost 90% of its tickets to corporate interests. The NBA Draft will never have that stature so long as it treats its fans this way during its one genuinely interactive event of the year. End of rant.
I cannot thank John Moe and folks like him for appealing to Deadspin to help a puppet out, Deadspin for putting out an APB for tickets, and this dude for answering the call and making his extras available. Also, do you like the Mets? You should read this blog. A good man writes it.
More thoughts on this video later this week. Oh, and yes, I wrote and performed the song — words and music (hooray, Apple Garageband!). Oh, and yes, this really is the last SAS NBA Draft heckling video.
twitter: @hecklingsociety
Best. Keyboard Cat. Ever. June 29, 2009
Posted by mb in isiah thomas.1 comment so far
Don’t even try to argue this one.
Thanks to all. June 26, 2009
Posted by mb in not necessarily the knicks, stephen a. smith heckling society of gentlemen.1 comment so far
Stephen A. Smith confirms he won’t be at the NBA Draft this year June 18, 2009
Posted by mb in Uncategorized.1 comment so far
Via Twitter:
Well, not surprising, considering how the last one went.
No matter, Stephen A. The show goes on, with or without you.
Yes, There Will Be a Fourth (and Final) Stephen A. Smith Heckling Video. June 11, 2009
Posted by mb in special projects, stephen a. smith heckling society of gentlemen.3 comments
So yeah. We are aware that Stephen A. no longer works for ESPN. We are aware of his amazing Twitter page, and we even made Deadspin aware of some fun developments there.
We are also aware that some of you are curious about what, if anything, we’ll do this year.
Here’s the deal: We’ll do a video of some sort. This year’s “Stephen A. Smith Heckled At the NBA Draft” video will be rather different, owing largely to the lack of Stephen A. to heckle. It will also be the last, for the same reason. But it’s also just time to call it. We have traversed a lot of territory – groundbreaking whimsy, triumphant perfection, dark explorations of fate – and we’ve accomplished a lot of productive silliness. But just as all good things must come to an end, they also cry out for proper closure. So: One more video.
What form will this video take? We’re still figuring this out.
But we will make an effort. Stay tuned. Oh, and follow us on Twitter, won’t you? @hecklingsociety
