NBA players put on show

LOS ANGELES — There were NBA players like Kenny Anderson, Chris Mills and Eddie Jones. There was a clock, referees, slam dunks, fancy passes and best of all, fans.

But this was no NBA game.

Sunday’s action at Pauley Pavilion on the UCLA campus was for fun and to raise money for the Chris Mills Foundation.

About 2,000 fans — a mix of families with young children, teen-agers and older folks who probably couldn’t afford NBA ticket prices — shelled out $10 and $25 to watch the locked out pros put on a show.

“It was just for the fans,” said Anderson of the Boston Celtics. “This was not a structured game, so you really don’t get too much accomplished. It’s really for the cause and that’s a plus.”

How unlike an NBA game was it?

Cedric Ceballos of the Dallas Mavericks chatted on a cell phone from the bench during the game. Several players wore diamond stud earrings (no jewelry allowed in pro games), smiled at impressive plays and waved at fans in the middle of the action.

Some fans yelled, “Defense,” but, of course, there wasn’t any. “Guys aren’t going to go hard out there because they don’t really want to get hurt,” Jones said. “We got too much at risk.”

The Mid Valley team, including Mills of the New York Knicks, Tracy Murray of the Washington Wizards, Charles O’Bannon of the Detroit Pistons and NBA rookie Paul Pierce, defeated the NBA All-Stars 128-119.

Although he was advertised as a participant, Shaquille O’Neal didn’t show. Signs at the ticket windows advised fans he wouldn’t be here.

Several players were just happy to be in front of a crowd. Their daily pickup games around Los Angeles don’t attract more than a curious few.

“It feels good to get out there and entertain some people,” Murray said. “That’s the only thing that drives me. We’re taking this game for granted. It’s a fun game and I miss playing it.”

The rosters were heavy with players who have local ties, either through their pro teams or colleges. Among others playing were Brent Barry, Darrick Martin, Jalen Rose, Lamond Murray, Bryon Russell, Pooh Richardson, Stacey Augmon, Derek Fisher and Jack Haley.

Tracy Murray expressed impatience with negotiations to end the lockout. Talks broke off Saturday after only 30 minutes.

“The owners and David Stern need to start acting like businessmen and get in there and negotiate,” he said. “Just because things don’t go right in the first half-hour doesn’t necessarily mean that we can’t get anywhere. Lock the door, get something done.”

Augmon agreed that a lock-in might end the lockout.

“We need to maybe spend the night in there and get the season going,” he said.

Jones, of the Lakers, easily received the loudest cheers. Familiar chants of “Edd-ie, Edd-ie” rang out as he dunked with abandon. But he doesn’t see the fans rushing out to NBA games if the season ever gets going.

“I definitely think they’re going to get back at us,” he said. “They’re going to support a charity event, of course, but you’re talking about an NBA game where people are paying actual money that’s going into somebody’s pocket. I don’t think they’re going to support that at all.”

Russell of the Utah Jazz is ready to forget this season.

“I hope it ain’t a season,” he said. “What’s the use of starting halfway? If they’re going to do something, they need to do it now. But it doesn’t look like it. People can go make money overseas.”

Like many of his collegues, Russell suggested a compromise is in order.

“I’m just disappointed to see grown men fighting. There’s got to be some point where somebody’s got to give,” he said. “We don’t want to give. They don’t want to give, so we’ll never play.”

Proceeds will be shared with three local charities to provide holiday toys for disadvantaged children, a foundation spokeswoman said. She didn’t know how much money was raised.

Associated Press