Sam Cassell was getting into civilian clothes in the visitors' locker room at Pepsi Center in Denver. Forty minutes earlier, the Timberwolves had escaped with an 84-82 victory over Denver in the pivotal fourth game of the first round playoff series.
A gentleman was sitting on a chair next to Cassell. He wore a summer-weight Stetson hat, snakeskin boots, a bolero jacket and pants (both suede), a ventilated T-shirt of rich material -- and all topped off with a scarf.
What do you call this fashion style? Maybe Gucci cowboy.
The man with the long gray hair flowing from under the Stetson was Jimmy Goldstein, a front-row occupant at both Lakers' and Clippers' games in Los Angeles.
He has become a buddy to nearly every player, coach or broadcaster who has come through the NBA for more than a few minutes over the past 30-plus years.
Goldstein was late in a 10-game, 11-day journey across the NBA playoff map when he stopped to see the Wolves and the Nuggets last week.
"I came in from Memphis after seeing my old friend Hubie [Brown] get the coach of the year award," Goldstein said. "Sam and I go back to those championship seasons [1994 and 1995] in Houston.
"Michael Olowokandi is a very good friend. I know him from the Clippers, of course, and we also have happened to run into each other in the South of France the past couple of summers."
Goldstein moved to Los Angeles in 1962 to attend college. He soon discovered the value of investing in real estate in Southern California. He has been described in various articles as a billionaire.
Goldstein only smirks when asked about his wealth. "Just say that I was able to make some good investments," he said.
The most famous investment is his spectacular home in Beverly Hills. It overlooks Benedectine Canyon and the Los Angeles skyline. It was created by John Lautner, a Frank Lloyd Wright disciple, in 1963. Goldstein bought it in 1989.
His business card reads "architecture, basketball and fashion." His home has been used in several films, music videos and fashion shoots.
"The Big Lebowski was filmed in my home," Goldstein said, referring to the party scene in which the main character (Jeff Bridges) visits Jackie Treehorn (Ben Gazzara) and winds up in a bad way.
People who have observed Goldstein in his prime seats at NBA games might think they are seeing the same clothes over and over. He was mildly offended when a reporter made such a suggestion.
"These are the very latest in fashion . . . cutting edge," Goldstein said. "I make two or three trips a year to Paris and Milano to update my wardrobe."
Jerry Sichting, a Wolves' assistant, was in a group of players visiting Goldstein's house a few years back.
"He has this amazing glass house," Sichting said. "You walk in what looks like an ordinary closet and it's a big area, with one of those pulley system like at a laundry. He has hundreds of jackets, slacks -- the wardrobe that he wears -- and endless pairs of boots."
Goldstein started sitting at courtside for Lakers' games in the mid-'60s, when the price for such a ticket at the L.A. Sports Arena was $15.
"The prices in the front row for the Lakers' playoff games are now $2,200 in the first round, $2,400 in the second, $2,600 for the third and $2,800 if they reach the finals," Goldstein said.
What distinguishes Goldstein from Jack Nicholson and the other front-row occupants at Staples Center is that Jimmy wants to see the Lakers lose, no matter the opponent.
"Mostly, I go to NBA games to see good basketball," Goldstein said. "With the Lakers, I'm there hoping that they lose. It really bothers Shaq [O'Neal] . . . to have me there in the front row, rooting against the Lakers.
"Why does anyone root for certain teams and against others? There was something about the Lakers that I didn't like years ago, and it has stayed with me, even through the championship seasons."
The Rockets of the mid-'90s embraced Goldstein as a valuable fan. He traveled with the team at playoff time for a few years, including during those back-to-back championships.
Goldstein still relishes a moment in 1996, when the Lakers and the Rockets were playing a first-round series.
"The Lakers were coming out to Houston's practice facility for a workout," Goldstein said. "They walked in and I was the only person there -- all alone on the floor, shooting baskets.
"The Lakers couldn't believe it: 'He's in the front row at our games, rooting against us, and now this?' "
Goldstein probably will make an appearance at the Kings-Timberwolves series when it moves to Sacramento next week. It probably would have to go to Game 7 for him to make it to Minneapolis.
For now, Jimmy can only offer these encouraging -- if improbable sounding words -- in support of Olowokandi, his fellow traveler in the summer.
"Three years ago, Michael was playing so well for the Clippers that I thought he was the second best center in the NBA behind Shaq," Goldstein said. "He will get back to where he was. The fans in Minnesota will be happy to have Michael."
Jimmy's promise for this included no timetable -- such as for Saturday night's Game 2 of the Sacramento series.