Pork chops on a sizzling plate and the look of rice stewing in the sauce is enough to break out a plate of vegetables in oyster sauce. Long enough and the people in the toilets start waiting for one brave soul to open the doors out. Prospective three lands two and the split cut into the deal is about the same either way. One note, one seat less.
Smacking kids loud from the row behind necessitate the move across the sections. It's a game to watch and enjoy, losing the hearing is not a fun night out for anyone outside shouting down the speakers at the concert.
Quarter one, the tip off and a back and forth what with the South Dragons1 clipping first with the Sydney Kings2 to follow suit later and quick. Shane Heal and Joe Ingles lead the Dragons on the charge, Matt Worthington and Luke Kendall powering up the Kings. Early points show up the hosts, the crawl back into the close of the quarter flip the coins to show 22 on 16.
The Lion is out early with the slingshot and popping Gatorade Tees into the stands. No sign of the Lioness, vacant from the stands, even if the Lion roars loud and proud for some family entertainment mating season session.
Looking like flat white with a side of buzz kill, the Dragons and Kings game on into the second. Feet are dragging on and the sides attack largely from the perimeter. Shying away from attacking the midsection of the steak with a dip into the gravy boat, the shine is on Kavossy Franklin for the Dragons. Kendall keeping it high for the Kings. Back and forth, back and forth, the board levels a close one with 39 to 33, home game advantage into the second half.
Half-time entertainment is not of the Sydney Kings Cheerleaders. Not even a pack of poppin' b-boys and girls. Not even a little game of ball with kids no older than 12. Instead, for the rustling crowd, a forewarning of the post-game entertainment options and of the details into the selection process for the Sydney Kings Ultimate Team with Bruce Bolden and Steve Whitehead on hand to do something or other.
Third in, over on the other side and the enthusiasm fares no better. Bible bashers are out in force in the crowd according to the on court announcer. Likely contributing to the healthy stock of numbers in the stands. Drop a three pointer for the home side and listen to the naming rights sponsor get a slide in with their name, "That's Firepower!" And the marketing and branding is ever corpulent. Dragons, however, pick up on a round of fair weather shots, and despite a massive denial by Kendall are up with 53 to 58.
Upset at Heal's very presence on a rival side, one fan is adamant in delivering his opinions on his career. Namely, and rather repeatedly telling Heal to retire. Oft-used, the shoutliner wears thin by the seventh time and is in severe need of retirement itself. After all, if the point isn't made by the third, it's pretty much hopeless and no amount of repetition will improve diminishing returns on a flat joke.
Lights are bright, oh so damningly so. Watching the cheerleaders and the kids with the wipe down brooms is a pain to bear between the sets with the players on court. Billboard advertisements are insane on the halogen rises, the whiteness beyond that of the retina to stand clear and present for.
Edge on edge with the fourth and final. A battle claws up and out of the belly of the pot round beast as it's a virtual one-on-one between Kendall and Heal. Two attackers with each of their sides on the lines barely keeping up with the two. Their efforts are tied and result in the 82 all even on the board.
Over time.
Father with kids and a drink in his hand is dog eager for a conversation. Pumping his chest, leaning over with that almost spill from his cup, looking dead long into the hands, even asking a question or two about the margin of the scoreboard. Truly the stuff to carry over lessons of speaking to rabid guard dogs. Keep looking away, avoid eye contact at all costs and only speak when the exits are clear. And even then, if only if the last resort. Beyond creepy, milky with potential fisticuffs.
Continuing on with their fight from the fourth quarter, the hands of Heal and Kendall damage each other's run into the free with the ticking of the clock. Kendall absolutely vital in his scoring to squeeze the Kings out in the fifth to show up the visiting Dragons. Tight, tense and all what the rest of the previous quarters were lacking in fight from both sides.
End result waves on waves with Kings bearing 92 to the Dragons on 883. Few stick around for the Jason Smith interview five minutes after the clear away of the seats.
Published at The Wax Conspiracy on Sunday, November 19, 2006
thewaxconspiracy.com/reviews/sydney-kings-vs-south-dragons-18-november-2006-z334/