Jimmy Goldstein -- the legend continues

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BEIJING -- Forgive me for ever doubting you.

While saluting Los Angeles basketball superfan Jimmy Goldstein for his impossible gate crash, penetratIing the impenetrable Chinese security to sit in on Thursday’s post-game news conference, I have to admit I wrote off his chances of ever sitting courtside here, as he does in arenas throughout the NBA.

Guess who turned up in the first row for Saturday night’s U.S. game against Spain?

There are no courtside seats, per se, but Jimmy was in the first row of the stands where they come down to the floor -- in a press seat, still without a credential of any kind other than his gaucho hat, one of his shiny jackets, cowboy boots, etc.

“Look, it’s been a struggle for me while I’ve been here,” said Jimmy, who has high expectations, regardless of the venue. “It took me a few days to work things out.”

Actually, it was more like a few minutes.

He arrived Tuesday and came to the arena right from the airport to watch Spain beat China before the U.S. game against Angola.

Moments after the U.S. won, NBA VP Brian McIntyre mused that this was one news conference Jimmy wasn’t going to crash. Yet, there he was, sitting among the media people, having somehow gotten past all the ropes and through the waves of security people, police and soldiers from the People’s Liberation Army.

“Brian was impressed with that one,” said Jimmy. “He took a picture of me....

“All the young fans want to pose for photos with me. They all know who I am.”

If the truth be told, Jimmy likes attention, although after this, I think his legend is safe. Four days after he hit town, with a little time to work things out with whatever powers he communes with, there he was sitting courtside, or as close as they have to it here.

“Do you want to tell me how you did it?” I asked.

“No,” he said.

-- MARK HEISLER