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In order to do that, he uses a computer app called “Code Replacement” that affixes a code for every player involved in the game. That way Cashore can simply type in the code’s digits instead of spelling out players’ names each time. “It’s a time-consuming process,” says Cashore, “but you don’t want to be delayed sending in photo captions too long after you’ve taken the photos.” Back in Los Angeles, Markazi drives downtown after the shootaround. He spends a few hours in ESPN’s offices. At least a few times per week, he appears as a guest on ESPN’s Los Angeles sports radio station. Some days, he also appears on a short television segment for one of the ESPN networks to discuss the Lakers or Clippers or baseball’s Los Angeles Dodgers, or even college teams such as the UCLA Bruins or USC Trojans. “It might seem overwhelming at times,” says Markazi, “but this is what I’m naturally interested in. It never feels like work.” For a night game, Arash likes to be inside Staples Center by 5 p . m . Years of experience have taught him that the best players, such as the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, prefer to take shooting practice on the floor at around this time, long before the fans are allowed inside the arena.

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