FANS ENJOY NBA STARS IN GAME AT PAULEY.Byline: Kristen Davis Daily News Staff Writer Watching the Orlando Magic's Anfernee Hardaway dish the ball to Michael Finley of the Dallas Mavericks for a monster jam was one of a series of slam dunks the estimated 7,500 fans came out to see in a charity game at Pauley Pavilion on Saturday night. Many of the hottest NBA stars, including Hardaway, Miami's Alonzo Mourning and Gary Payton of Seattle, were in town this weekend for the first-ever ``Mitch Richmond Hollywood Hoops and Golf for Charity'' event. ``It was a lot of fun and people came out in good support,'' said the Sacramento Kings' Richmond, who plans to make this an annual event. The Black team, led by the scoring of former California standout and current Vancouver Grizzlies forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim, defeated Hardaway's White team 180-160. The fans went home happy after seeing the players show off their offensive skills and jumping abilities. Many went home with an autograph or two as well. ``It's really fun to see a lot of the NBA stars up so close,'' said 12-year-old Burbank resident Brandon Carpenter, who got Chris Mullin's autograph. Recording artist Brian McKnight, who sang the national anthem, coached the Black team with Dean Cain, TV's ``Superman.'' Bill Bellamy of MTV called the shots for the White team. The celebrity coaches were brave enough to venture onto the court for a few minutes. ``Those guys were so good they could destroy a guy like me, but it was fun just running around with them,'' Cain said. The score was not the only indication that the game was anything but a normal NBA contest. Aside from the combined 340 points, the players signed autographs during timeouts and the referees refrained from using their whistles. ``The thing that was best about it (was) you didn't have to worry about getting the calls because they don't call anything,'' said free-agent guard Malik Sealy of the White team. He was only player from a Los Angeles team (he played for the Clippers last season) in the event. Chris Mills, a forward for the Cleveland Cavaliers, played on the Black team. He grew up in Los Angeles and played his high school ball at Fairfax. ``It's always feels good to come back and get to play with your friends and see some old friends,'' he said. Each star played on a foursome in Friday morning's golf tournament at the Cypress Golf Club. Mullin's team finished first at 11-under. All proceeds from the weekend benefit the NAACP National Endowment Fund, United Way and the UCLA Scholarship Program. ``Anytime you get together with your colleagues and try to create a positive atmosphere for kids, it's a big thrill,'' said Mourning, who played on the White team. ``Regardless of how much money you make or how many cars you drive, you won't be remembered by that, but the (kids will) remember the impact we left.'' CAPTION(S): Photo PHOTO Shareef Abdur-Rahim of the Grizzlies (formerly of Cal) dunks during a charity event at Pauley Pavilion. Many NBA stars participated. David Sprague / Daily News |
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