21:37:27

I bet there was a night when Larry Bird didn't come out for warm-ups. It was pre-social media, so nobody knew what was up.  An uneasy anticipation permeating the Garden.....is Larry sick? Injured?  I spent this month's rent and he's not even fucking playing!?!?

I bet the opposing players felt it.  Curious at first, but not getting their hopes up.  Then, 8 minutes left to tip-ff...6 minutes...2.  He's not here! He's not playing!  We've got a shot!!!!

Then the roar.....as #33 jogged to the court.

He probably casually drained a single warm-up shot, an imperceptible nod to KC signalling "i'm ready."  The moment sapping the opposing team's will, with Bird's toughest task choosing whether to emasculate Isaiah or to play left handed, for the hell of it, and drop 47.

Well folks, something similar happened tonight.  And it happened here. 

Entries were rolling in. Sure, a lot of them. But you felt good. And why wouldn't you?  After all, there was no sign of him.

Still, the tournament doesn't start until the day after tomorrow.  So you didn't get your hopes up.   But...still...you let it creep into your head....."he's not here.  I've got a shot!"

The time-stamp says 21:37:27. Did you feel a wrinkle in the force? I bet you did.  Because that's when Stan submitted his entry.

Stan who?

How about Stan Williams?  Winner of the inaugural Shamrock, the Bird in this Garden.  Now you know how those hapless Pistons felt.

He's here folks.  And, like Bird's old running mate Bill Walton, our chances just went up in smoke.