READING, Pa. – They call July the Dog Days of Summer, but they can also be used to describe the final days of the live recruiting period – for reporters as well as players and coaches.
After a wonderful five-day trip to Orlando for the AAU Super Showcase at ESPN Wide World of Sports, I took a few days off in steamy Astoria. Clearly, my body wanted another day because I slept through my alarm clock Saturday morning and missed my 9 a.m. bus to Reading for Hoop Group Elite Camp Session III. To those who know me, that’s no surprise – I could sleep through an earthquake. I’m a high-major snorer.
I finally dragged myself out of bed by 11, ate breakfast and showered, but my luck being what it is, there were no N or Q trains running to Manhattan. So I opted for a taxi – another poor decision. That was like a point guard throwing the ball to the other team when he has three open teammates. Not only did I miss the 1 p.m. but after sitting in deadlocked traffic, I spent $30 and sprinted the final two avenues to no avail, cursing my way across the West Side.
After two hours of mindlessly walking around the Port Authority Bus Terminal, searching newsstands, roaming around Radio Shack, eyeing ice cream without purchasing any, I got on my bus. When I finally arrived at Albright College early Saturday evening, I realized it wasn’t just me who wanted the live period to end. About seven players were asleep on one couch while inside the gym coaches yawned, their eyes glazed over trying to watch the action.
Even Marc Raimondi, my relentless co-worker – well, boss, didn’t seem too energized. In his defense, he didn’t have his beloved Mountain Dew and he’s been working the girls and boys live period. The bottom line is July is a long, unforgiving month for players, coaches and reporters. The basketball never ends, or at least that’s the way it feels, days beginning early and ending late.
Thankfully, it comes to an end tomorrow, though it may be the longest day of the month for me and Raimondi. It begins first thing with Elite Camp playoffs, then all-star games and the End of Summer Classic, with the 17U championship game scheduled for 9:20 p.m.
August can’t come soon enough.