The Phoenix Suns hosted the Seattle Sonics, or I guess that would be Supersonics under the circumstances, in a 40th anniversary celebration tonight. I turned the game on the local outlet, KUTP, minutes before it started. It was black and white, and they listed the Supersonics’ starting lineup, then the Suns’, complete with numbers and letters which took up nearly the whole screen. As the teams were warming up, I noticed Steve Nash had a headband on. So did Boris Diaw, Grant Hill, Amare Stoudemire, and a few others. Maybe they all did. Seeing Nash in a headband was quite odd, though with his long, stringy hair by today’s standards, he somehow fit the part. (Diaw would be the lone Sun who kept his headband on the entire game).

Once the game started, it was shown primarily from one camera, about mid-level on the side, which would follow the action back and forth. The only exception would be during a free throw, when the camera angle was the same but slightly lower on the side, with a slightly closer shot. And the score would show only after every two or three baskets, not every possession. The only constant on the screen was the clock near the top, just big enough to see but not in the way of anything. No the shot clock, not a sponsor, not any stats on runs, points in the paint, fast break points—nothing. And they even had the little hair-like lines which meandered across the picture from time to time, like it was in the old days. And whenever they did show a player and his number, it was in big block-like fashion, such as

44 - KURT THOMAS 

Except it was in white, of course, covering the entire bottom of the screen. And wasn’t always very visible if the background was white. (Man, they thought of EVERYTHING!)  Unfortunately, the Suns played like a first year team in the first quarter, trailing by 20 at its conclusion. Strangely enough, as I felt like I was watching a replay of an old game, I wasn’t too concerned. Guess I was lost in time and was enthralled by the broadcast more than the score.

By the way, there were no short-shorts or throwback jerseys involved. And no, the refs didn’t suddenly decide to call traveling or palming the ball, which may have helped snap me back into reality. But at every commercial, appropriate music was played, starting with some Doors and progressing chronologically as the game went on. And a highlight of a past Suns’ great was shown. Connie Hawkins, Alvan Adams, Walter “Sweet D” Davis, Paul Westphal, Kevin Johnson, and on and on. Speaking of being snapped back into reality, an anti-smoking commercial was shown near the end of the first period, when I half-expected to see “I’d walk a mile for a Camel.”

At the start of the second quarter, the game was shown in color. Although it was ‘70s style color. In other words, it was a little sloppy-with bright colors sometimes “following” a player, or the court luminating unexcpectedly when the camera would move. Priceless, I tell you. And still the simple block letters telling the team names and score, although now covering only the bottom third of the screen rather than half. But still only periodically, and briefly.

At different points in the first half, the Suns brought former and current broadcasters on. George Allen was asked to do the last minute of the half; “Nash for threeeeee- - got it,” he said, growling the last two words. Al McCoy, recent hall of fame inductee and longtime Suns radio announcer who did simulcasts for a long time, led off the second quarter with former partner Greg Schulte, who now does play-by-play for the Diamondbacks. Seemed like old times. Gary Bender also sat in for awhile. Former Sun Eddie Johnson, who is the normal cohort of Tom Leander and former partner of Bender, offered the most consistent, high-quality insight. As he usually does.

The Supersonics scored 33 in the first quarter, but only 30 during the second and third combined. And the Suns ended up winning by eight. And to cap of####reat night, my guy Shawn Marion did a post game interview with Leander. Just before the interview concluded, Leander mentioned that they had discussed different ring of honorees and shown highlights of each during the game. And how he said they needed to make room for the Matrix. Marion seemed a little humbled and said he would be honored. As they bid their adieus, Marion sang, “Tooooom Leander,” and mutual respect was obvious. Perhaps that was a “guess you had to be there” moment, since my description doesn’t convey the feeling.

There was more, so much more. Like McCoy recalling a “Ron Lee Floor Score” contest that a station had run one season while Lee was with the team in the late ‘70s and was known for diving for loose balls. Fans were invited to keep track during the season, and the winner at the end won a new waterbed. Or opening of the broadcast with Leander and Johnson looking like Mod Squad wanna-bees, complete with old-style microphones. Or the highlights of past Suns greats leading into commercials. Ah, the memories. And I loved the cheerleaders’ getup during the second (‘70s?) quarter, complete with orange tops and hot pants, oversized white earrings and white calf-high boots. And I didn’t watch a second of the game on TNT, which I imagine didn’t pick it up until the Bulls and Blazers were done overtiming. And I understand that in today’s NBA. But fortunately I didn’t have to deal with that on this evening. For a brief time at least, I got to be in the middle of nostalgia. And it was beautiful. Thanks to KUTP TV, the Phoenix Suns, and all who played a part in the first 39 years.

And thanks for taking the time to read.