WASHINGTON — Many Washington Wizards fans are going through pregame rituals, as the team faces elimination in round 2 of its NBA playoff series against the Boston Celtics, trying to keep the Wiz’s mojo going.
WTOP senior sports director Dave Johnson has a very important appointment, after finishing his morning sportscasts, and before his night job as play-by-play announcer on the Wizards Radio Network — with his pillow.
“I want to get a little bit of a nap in,” said Johnson. “It will be on the couch — I don’t want to get too comfortable.”
In the same way fans have routines before important sporting events, Johnson, who is now in his 20th year calling Wizards games, has his second shift mapped out, having completing his morning drive radio appearances.
Some aspects get more attention.
Asked what suit and tie he’ll be wearing for Friday night’s broadcast, Johnson laughed.
“This is the point of the season where the decision is based on what’s back from the dry cleaner,” said Johnson, whose road trips with the team often result in doing sports reports from hotel rooms. “Oh, that’s back from the dry cleaner? I’ll wear that.”
With an 8 p.m. tip-off, Johnson will arrive at the Verizon Center about four hours early.
“You’ll start talking to people who are already there, like assistant coaches,” said Johnson. “I’ve also got a ‘radio party’ to host, so I’ll reach out through Twitter.”
Johnson and color analyst Glenn Consor engage fans on Twitter with #radioparty, during their broadcast which airs in the D.C. area on 1500 AM, WTOP’s sister station.
“As it gets closer, I’ll talk with head coach Scott Brooks and various players,” said Johnson. “It’s really just getting immersed in the environment, before the 8 o’clock tipoff.
Some fans will eat certain foods before a big game.
In the past Johnson ate the same submarine sandwich during the playoffs, but he scratched the idea after the team was eliminated.
Before Game 6, Johnson will eat at the media buffet.
“It’s an amazing spread — you could have your Thanksgiving there,” said Johnson. “But I’m not there to graze; I’m not there to get sleepy on tryptophan or whatever that is that makes you sleepy.”
“I just want a little bit of protein,” he said.
After a day that began with an alarm clock at 3 a.m., Johnson doesn’t expect to be tired at tip-off.
“The adrenaline of the game never fails to kick in,” he said.
“I’m a kid again,” Johnson said. “Arenas and stadiums gave me my greatest joy in my childhood, and it still gives me my greatest joy now as I pretend to be an adult.”
