"You bring your shoes?"

It was during the 2000 Finals where I had my last field producing assignment, working with the late great Stuart Scott. Stuart was covering his assigned team (the Lakers) as a reporter, and I was lucky enough to be field producing for him. We had a great time for the middle 3 games in Indianapolis doing various shoots (driving around Indy with Shaq will always stand out), and working on the game coverage as well.

The story that remains my favorite to recall was NOT related to the Lakers or the Pacers, It was on an off day, and on those days all we had to do was go to the team workout early, feed our material in, and go on with the rest of our day. So, Stuart and I completed the work that needed to be done and he comes up to me after and says "You bring your shoes, dog?" I was a little surprised, as I was wearing shoes at the time (nice shoes for work purposes). So my reply was "Yeah I brought 'em, I got 'em on right now". Now, he was the puzzled one, so he shoots me a look and says "Not THOSE shoes, your basketball shoes! The media game is later today and you gotta come run with us!"

Ummm, yeah THOSE shoes. Well, I had more than a few pairs, but back at home. The sneakers I had with me were running shoes so I could work out at the hotel if time permitted, so I was a little stuck. So, on went the producer hat in order to produce some kicks for the media pickup game.

Those familiar with downtown Indy already know that the Circle Centre Mall is easy to get to, and I headed there and poof! Basketball shoes. Back to the hotel to change and right over to the IUPUI campus for the game (The floor they had there was the actual one from the old Market Square Arena, where the Pacers used to play, so yeah). There were more than a few media types there, some writers (Ric Bucher was perhaps the most notable I can remember), and a few of us from the TV world.

Also at the game? Then Washington Wizards point guard Rod Strickland and a few of his friends. Now, Rod was always one of my favorite players to watch, I feel he is classically underrated, and anyone from New York knows what I'm talking about. Now, after picking sides, I'm on HIS team, Stuart was on the other. The game was back and forth, Rod hit me for an easy layup with a pass I still haven't seen, I swear the ball just appeared in my hands. Of course my hoop nerd came out just after when I said "good look" to him just after. His response was classic, as he just rolled his eyes, because of of course a guy who had over 6000 career assists at the time has thrown a few "good look" passes to guys in the NBA. He also hit me in the back of the head later in the game with a pass I didn't expect, so my nerdness didn't end after the layup.

We ended up winning the game, as Rod just scored at will once he decided it was time to go, and everyone had a great time. The shoes (Black Nike high tops with a velcro flap over the laces, but NOT the Gary Paytons) were solid, I used them for a few years. The lessons? Be ready for anything that can come up, so bring with you anything you think you might need to whatever you might need it for. Shifting to a plan quickly can pay off immediately and leave you with some cool memories as well. From Stuart? Include your people in everything you think they might get something out of, even if you get hit in the back of the head with a pass from Rod Strickland. I miss Stu, he was always great to me (and a lot of others) I got so much out of the few times we worked together on the road.