

Comedian and New Orleans comedy theater founder Chris Trew is a New Orleans Pelicans fan who has a single season ticket directly behind the visitors’ bench inside New Orleans’ Smoothie King Center, where he intently listens to and interacts with the opposing team’s players and coaches. He will be documenting his experiences here for us in a regular column called, Behind the Bench. The Pelicans’ opponent in this column: the Atlanta Hawks, who visited on Monday, November 13.

You can follow his in-game interactions live on Twitter at @ChrisTrew.

The Hawks are statistically the worst team I’ve ever sat behind this late in the season. Yeah, we’re only one month into the NBA season, but Atlanta had only won two games by the time I went to see them play. Their body language as they made their introductions in the Smoothie King Center were reminiscent of a bored (not sad, bored) employee barely into hour number two in an eight-hour work day — grateful for the job they love, but it’s just not going well on this particular day. (For the Hawks, this particular season.)

During pre-game shootaround, Jameer Nelson was tossing up free throws when Hawks center Dewayne Dedmon made his way on the court. Nelson shuffled over to say hi when Dedmon roasted him with a playful “You ain’t retired yet?” It’s an easy line and Jameer is an easy target — he’s one foot shorter and seven years older than Dedmon — but the moment was still joyful. Nelson continues to climb the rankings of fun personalities and it’s not just because of stuff like this.



Once upon a time, Marco Belenelli played for seemingly every single city in the NBA, including New Orleans. He’s got some fans still in the building and during warm-ups they eagerly waited for autograph opportunities. It looked as if Marco noticed them, but didn’t want to deal with them and sprinted past as to avoid eye contact. But then it looked like he felt bad, like maybe he didn’t notice them at first, so he turned around and signed a basketball.

It’s been interesting noting how often players sign things, take pictures, or acknowledge fans. I believe it’s 100 percent their right to make that decision on their own, especially as they are preparing to do their demanding, competitive job. If a player wants to give you their jersey they will, and that’s pretty cool.

If they don’t want to acknowledge your existence, though, constantly screaming their name while they are doing what they were put on this earth to do just decreases the chances of getting what you want and makes you look silly. You’ve got to strike while the moment is right and the ask has to be efficient. I’ve seen Carmelo Anthony give his headband away after every single game, win or lose, so you’ve just got to submit the request at the perfect time.

I overheard a story about Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer going for a run around the arena before the game and not being let back in. When not-the-most recognizable head coach for a team that visits once a year jogs sans credentials, it makes sense that there might be an issue getting back in the building.