NBA All-Star Week Update

Thursday, February 15, 2007

So after the race issues of yesterday I've got even more interesting news today.

From Slam Online....There's an actual press release for the Bavetta v. Barkley Race.

Let’s get ready to stuuuumble!” On the evening of Saturday, February 17, former NBA superstar and current TNT basketball analyst Charles Barkley, 43, will challenge veteran NBA referee Dick Bavetta, 67, to a footrace during TNT’s coverage of NBA All-Star Saturday Night presented by EA SPORTS. The distance of the race will be 235 feet (78.3 yards), as Barkley and Bavetta will race baseline to baseline, and then to the half-court line of the regulation basketball court at the Thomas & Mack Arena. In conjunction with the race $50,000, $25,000 from the NBA and $25,000 from TNT, will be donated to the Boys and Girls Clubs of Las Vegas.

The initial challenge to race was issued on January 4 when Barkley subbed in for TNT game announcer Steve Kerr and made a rare courtside appearance with Albert for TNT’s broadcast of the L.A. Lakers @ Sacramento Kings game. During the first half of the match-up, in
which Bavetta was officiating, Barkley made the off-the-cuff comment, “I can outrun Dick Bavetta right now, Marv.”

“Charles, let me say something to you, there’s no way you can critique the game the way you critique it if you cannot beat a referee,” weighed in Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star forward Kevin Garnett.

“It better be a short race, because if it’s an endurance race, I think Bavetta has got him licked,” said reigning two-time NBA MVP and Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash on Barkley v. Bavetta. “I’m sure Charles will try to make the distance just right for himself.”


Mikey Jackson Denied From The All-Star Game
Michael Jackson can't even get courtside seats to Sunday's NBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas, where he's been living lately. A well-placed source says Wacko Jacko waited too long to call for tickets - the front-row seats had already been promised to Jack Nicholson, Christina Aguilera, Jay-Z, Diddy, Nelly and Adam Sandler. "The tickets he wants are not available at this time," said our insider.
Ouch that has to hurt. And when did he move out of Dubai, and back to the States? Can we just ban the sight of him all together....it really makes me nauseous.

My favorite part was that Christina Aguilera, Nelly, and Adam Sandler got tickets and he didn't. Sure Ags is doing the halftime show, but what the hell have Nelly and Sandler done in the last five years.....well, besides Spanglish.


Vegas Mayor Looking Into New Stadium (Sports Biz Daily)
"Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said that there is “‘no truth’ that he is preparing to announce a $10 Billion downtown development that would include a sports arena as the centerpiece.” In Las Vegas, Norm Clarke noted Goodman and NBA Commissioner David Stern are speaking at a Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce luncheon today, “but it won’t involve an NBA team relocating to Las Vegas.” Goodman said that he will meet with Stern to “discuss going forward with ‘an attempt to get a franchise here’”

Maloof Brother Says He Wouldn't Be Bothered With A Vegas Team
I've never thought of that. Sure. We wouldn't be against a team coming here. That's an interesting question. For me, personally, it would be great to have our team here; I wouldn't have to fly anywhere. I don't know how my brothers or mother would feel. But it would be great to leave the Palms and see our team play (here, regularly). But our team is in Sacramento. I don't mind flying out there, either.
I don't really buy that for a second. He also says that he wouldn't move the Kings if the opportunity arose. Hmm, Sacramento......or Vegas? I'll choose Sactown. Riiiiiight.

0 Comments:

Post a Comment