While making fun of the corporate-whorish NBA TV/Nike “24 Hours of LeBron” to celebrate LeBron James’ 24th birthday, I jokingly stated that the next Hornet birthday, I’d top that. January 13th is James Posey’s birthday. And I am a woman of my word. Check out the rest of the silliness here.
This post is dedicated to the legendary James Posey Man Hug.
Says Hornets247:
I haven’t said anything about it here, but I’ve got to mention the pre-game ritual of James Posey standing at the scorer’s table and giving each of the starters a hug/chest bump/chest punch according to their preference. The players checking in from the other team typically poke, prod and even hug him from behind while he does it. I’m not even sure how to describe it. It’s just a strange mix of awesomeness, awkwardness, and plain hilarity.
Quoth Kevin Garnett:
“It’s not necessarily the hug. It’s what he’s saying to me and reminding us what we need to do to go out and be successful,” Garnett said. “It’s kind of good before you hit the floor. He’s not just talking the talk. It really means something. You guys see it as a hug, but it’s the unity of what he’s saying. It’s all motivating. It’s all positive.”
Ray Allen:
“Yeah, you start one thing and it becomes ritual and you can’t change it. (Wednesday) night he wasn’t there (DNP-CD) and you kind of freeze up a little bit.”
Posey is still bringing the pre-game man hug tradition now that he’s with the Hornets. He has his own little routine. He waits at the end of the scorers’ table to hug the starters before they head out onto the court. Tyson Chandler does not partake in the hug, and usually, neither does D West (You can’t picture it, right? Your instincts are correct. West isn’t a hugger. See left.) Peja will take some quick hug action, as will Rasual Butler. Chris Paul goes last. He gets a big bear hug and those mysterious Posey words of champions whispered in his ear. Then Posey high fives everyone seated in the chairs on his way back down to the end of the bench, including random ticketholders. Then he gets some water. Or Gatorade. I’m not sure. I just report the greatness, people. Plus I sit in Row 26.
I don’t know, D West. You think maybe you want to consider getting on board with this one? ‘Cause those are the Words of Champions. And you’re missing out.
Loves everyone!
Yeah The Celtics are missin a big part of their bench with posey no longer being on it. I read an article somwhere that Danny Anige is trying to find a shooter of the bench he is searching but can’t find it…. alas POSEYS ours now hahahahahahahahahhahah
Poor Celts. They can have one of our shooters for… oh wait. They can’t. You know, they ought to give Golden State a call though… collecting swingmen like they’re going out of style.
Wait for it. The Celtics, rather Ainge, is going to bite the bullet and sign Robert Horry. Which, of course, would make the Celtics-Hornets Finals the battle of the ringbearers…or like an NBA version of Highlander…there can only be one!
P.S…I love any comment that rips on GS for having 9,238 swingmen. What kind of team would do that, and risk leaving great talent in streetclothes? You know? 3-forwards. Not like Peja and Posey, and um, Ju-Ju. Oh crap.