There are few starting lineup ""intros"" that compare to what the Chicago Bulls came up with in the 1990s and still do today with minor differences.
With the lights off and ""Sirius,"" by The Alan Parsons Project blaring, most Americans knew that yes, the 6'6\ guard from North Carolina was Michael Jordan.
Well, here in Madison, Badger fans know of a different guard—one who only stands at 6'2"" but also stands out when the starting lineups are announced. It is not a catchy song or famous montage video that makes the UW starting lineups worth watching, but rather it is junior guard Michael Flowers putting on a show with teammate Marcus Landry every game.
Ranging from handshakes to a fake, but intense boxing match, Flowers takes advantage of his time in the spotlight before tip-off. But where do these ideas come from?
""I have to come up with them on my own,"" Flowers said. ""I wanted to do a dance but [Landry] said he's not going to dance, so I have to be a little more creative.""
The moves are not planned out well in advance either. For the most part, Flowers comes up with his moves after the team leaves the locker room.
""[Flowers] usually comes up to me right before they sing the Star Spangled Banner and says, ‘do this,'"" Landry said. ""It's whatever he feels like doing at the time. If it's the boxing one, or doing the pictures, or patting him down and things like that. Whatever he is feeling, I just go along with that.""
The pictures Landry is referring to are the ones he takes with an invisible camera as Flowers poses on the court. The ""patting him down"" refers to frisking the defensive specialist before he takes the court.
Flowers said patting him down before the game was a tribute to his brother Jonte Flowers who currently averages 12.9 points per game at Winona State. Jonte was in attendance when Flowers first decided to use that one.
""It's funny because I was getting patted down because I try to be a thief out there and get a lot of steals,"" Flowers said.
Still, that isn't Flowers' favorite intro ploy.
""I would have to say the boxing one when I swing twice at [Landry], he swings, I duck and I come up with an uppercut. That was pretty funny to me so that was my favorite,"" Flowers said.
The two used that one again last Saturday against Northwestern and took it to another level when Landry flew backwards to the ground after the uppercut blow.
Flowers is not the only starter who comes out with flair. Landry also does an intricate hand shake with senior forward Alando Tucker, while freshman guard Trevon Hughes gets into the mix when senior guard Kammron Taylor is announced.
The entire minute or so of starting lineups has received extra attention this season with the entertaining moves of the players, but it is Flowers, the thief, who usually steals the show.
Surprisingly, Landry, who should enter the starting lineup next season, says it is more a form of entertainment rather than a way to pump up his teammates.
""Being a starter you should already be pumped up. That's how I feel,"" Landry said. ""I don't like to be pumped up. I'm a basketball player and I just like the game to come to me. I don't have to hoot and holler and do all that.""
Landry admits though that for some people it takes some excitement to get the adrenaline going, and the starting lineups are certainly getting the fans going every game.
As far as future pre-game performances go, even Landry does not know what to expect.
""I told [Flowers] I'm not doing any dancing, so he can forget about that,"" Landry said. ""I just do whatever he likes to do as long as I'm not dancing.""
