NBA Charity Game September 11th in Houston

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

HOUSTON, TX, United States (UPI) -- A group of NBA players will take part in an NBA special charity basketball game to benefit Hurricane Katrina victims.

 

Among those entered are LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Amare Stoudemire and Dwyane Wade. TNT analyst Kenny Smith will be the host of the game, which will take place Sunday in Houston.

 

Players who participate will donate more than $1 million to hurricane victims, and during the TNT telecast there will be many messages about how the public can make contributions through the Red Cross.

 

'The game is a show of our support and solidarity for those affected by this natural disaster,' Smith said in a statement. 'As professional athletes we`ve been very privileged. These are the types of communities where we come from and this is one way we can help take care of our own.'

 

Nice..but Sunday was a bad day to pick with Football starting...

[Dangerous A 0]

I'm pretty sure the ratings aren't the important part of this as much as getting money raised for a good cause.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

The purpose is to try and get more people to donate money..

 

If no ones watching, hows that gonna happen?

[The Czech Republic 0]

Not everybody watches football!

[Guest news_gimmick]

Hell I'll watch it.

[The Electrifyer 0]

If they air it in Canada, I'll watch it.

[Dangerous A 0]

I'll probrably watch it if it's after my Redskins/Bears game.

[The Electrifyer 0]

More info about it (http://www.nba.com/community/smith_050907.html):

 

Sept. 7, 2005 -- TNT basketball analyst and former two-time NBA champion with the Houston Rockets Kenny Smith will host the NBA Players Hurricane Relief Game, to help aid the victims of Hurricane Katrina. The game will be held Sunday, September 11th at 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. CT) from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas, and will be televised on TNT at 11 p.m. (10 p.m. CT). Players participating in the game will donate over $1 million to hurricane victims. Throughout the telecast public service announcements will be made encouraging fans to support the relief efforts through donations to the Red Cross via redcross.org, or by calling the Red Cross help line at 1-800-HELP-NOW.

 

“The game is a show of our support and solidarity for those affected by this natural disaster,” said Kenny Smith. “As professional athletes we’ve been very privileged. These are the types of communities where we come from and this is one way we can help take care of our own.”

 

“The game is a show of our support and solidarity for those affected by this natural disaster,” said Kenny Smith. “As professional athletes we’ve been very privileged. These are the types of communities where we come from and this is one way we can help take care of our own.”

 

Prior to the game on Sunday, players will distribute truckloads of their donated goods and supplies to shelters throughout the Houston area. Items will include food, clothing, water, toiletries and other basic necessities.

 

TNT’s broadcast team will include analysts Kenny Smith and Charles Barkley, host/play-by-play Ernie Johnson and sideline reporter Craig Sager. Tickets are available for purchase, with all proceeds being donated to charity, for $300 (includes floor seats and player meet/greet) $25, $15 and $10 (see attached ticket information). Special ticket arrangements will be made for Hurricane Katrina victims.

 

NBA players scheduled to participate include:*

 

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers

Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

Kevin Garnett, Minnesota Timberwolves

Jermaine O’Neal, Indiana Pacers

Stephon Marbury, New York Knicks

Dwyane Wade, Miami Heat

Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns

Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics

Alonzo Mourning, Miami Heat

Antonio McDyess, Detroit Pistons

 

Steve Francis, Orlando Magic

Sam Cassell, Los Angeles Clippers

Ron Artest, Indiana Pacers

Chauncey Billups, Detroit Pistons

J.R. Smith, New Orleans Hornets

Dahntay Jones, Memphis Grizzlies

Mike James, Houston Rockets

Lindsey Hunter, Detroit Pistons

Derek Anderson, Houston Rockets

Carlos Boozer, Utah Jazz

 

 

 

*Participants subject to change.

 

I don't think I've ever seen a more star studded charity event... but then again, I haven't seen that many charity games.

[The Czech Republic 0]

I give Kobe shit, as do many of us here, but he didn't have to do this event. That's nice of him to do this.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I couldn't help but notice there are no New Orleans Hornets players in this game. Perhaps because they have no stars.

[the max 0]

PJ Brown got an MVP vote, didn't he? That has to count for something!

 

And I'm not criticizing or anything, but I'm kind of surprised that Shaq isn't playing. He was in LA after the storm hit, helping as best he could, but I expected him to be involved.

[Big Ol' Smitty 0]

I couldn't help but notice there are no New Orleans Hornets players in this game.  Perhaps because they have no stars.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Magloire was an All-Star.

[The Electrifyer 0]

And I'm not criticizing or anything, but I'm kind of surprised that Shaq isn't playing. He was in LA after the storm hit, helping as best he could, but I expected him to be involved.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Shaq and Kobe in a charity game too? Now that would equal ratings.

[Vern Gagne 0]

J.R. Smith is playing in the game.

 

Shaq should at least be at the game. Even if he doesn't play. He could do play by play, or even help coach.

[The Czech Republic 0]

I couldn't help but notice there are no New Orleans Hornets players in this game.  Perhaps because they have no stars.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

J.R. Smith, New Orleans Hornets

[Guest Vitamin X]

And I'm not criticizing or anything, but I'm kind of surprised that Shaq isn't playing. He was in LA after the storm hit, helping as best he could, but I expected him to be involved.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Again, not to spark up any sort of Shaq-Kobe debate again as I've often done in past NBA offseason threads (though it's been rather nice and calm this year thankfully), but that really, really doesn't surprise me, or any other Laker fans that Kobe would care enough to play a game and Shaq wouldn't. Say what you will about both men's egos, but Shaq doesn't have the same kind of work ethic and it's debateable if he loves the game as much, even for a charity game.

 

Now, I'd like to be pleasantly surprised and see Shaq play. And are those rosters the ones going against each other? Should be fun.

[Dangerous A 0]

*Participants subject to change

 

 

Shaq could still play. Or maybe he just doesn't want to risk getting hurt or perhaps he is still recovering from nagging injuries.

 

Shaq and his wife have been down in LA and have been mobilizing truckloads of supplies to people still not evacuated from the hard hit areas. Shaq is doing his part. Again, we don't know why he is or isn't playing. I'm pretty sure something will come out soon or he'll be a late addition. Again, it does say Participants subject to change.

[EVIL~! alkeiper 0]

I imagine it is simply health concerns. It is not as easy for a big player like Shaq at his age to compete like younger players can.

[Vern Gagne 0]

Shaq should at least make an appearance.

[Ripper 0]

If Shaq is busy in Nawlins, then he can keep doing that. i am sure that is helping alot more than his appearance at a charity game would.

 

And come on Vita, if it weren't for Kobe and his takin the pussy actions of 2 years ago, he wouldn't be a lock for this Charity/good publicity event either.

[Guest Vitamin X]

And come on Vita, if it weren't for Kobe and his takin the pussy actions of 2 years ago, he wouldn't be a lock for this Charity/good publicity event either.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

You don't know that.

 

 

...after all, aren't charitable donations tax-deductible? (this is why I'm always a little iffy anytime I see big-time celebrities donate loads of cash to "a good cause"...)

[The Czech Republic 0]

...after all, aren't charitable donations tax-deductible? (this is why I'm always a little iffy anytime I see big-time celebrities donate loads of cash to "a good cause"...)

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yeah, but at least they're donating.

[Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly]

Also, just because players aren't playing in the game doesn't mean they aren't helping in other ways.

[Guest Vitamin X]

True. It's just that I hadn't heard of what Shaq's been up to in NOLA, so I assumed he was sitting around here in Miami, which would kind of piss me off especially considering his alma mater.

[Dangerous A 0]

Looks like Shaq was doing more than just sitting around in Miami...

 

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2157772

 

 

 

O'Neal takes action after visit to LouisianaAssociated Press

 

 

MIAMI -- Sweat dripping from his head as he worked in the midday South Florida sun, Shaquille O'Neal loaded the last item into a cavernous 18-wheel trailer and pointed to the generous stranger.

 

 

 

 

Shaquille O'Neal loaded tractor trailers with donations on Saturday.

"Give the man a hug," he urged his children, who quickly obliged. "Tell him thank you."

 

For the last week, O'Neal and his wife have coordinated efforts to help those in Louisiana and Mississippi whose lives were ripped apart by Hurricane Katrina. And Saturday, O'Neal was on the front line, personally accepting medical items, toiletries, clothes and other items from those inclined to help.

 

The tractor-trailers hired by the O'Neal family are expected to begin rolling Tuesday toward Baton Rouge, La. -- where O'Neal, the Miami Heat center, attended LSU.

 

"I commend everybody who's helping out in some way," O'Neal said. "Whether it's monetarily or going to the stores and buying cases of water, bundles of ice ... there's a lot of people chipping in, and my hat goes off to every American and non-American that's helping."

 

O'Neal spent two days in Louisiana shortly after the storm struck, returning home deeply moved by what he saw. And donating money, he said, simply wouldn't be enough.

 

So for several days, he and his wife Shaunie have teamed with the El Dorado furniture stores in South Florida and urged people to give whatever was possible. The response, Shaunie O'Neal said, has been overwhelming.

 

A warehouse commandeered to store the donations is nearly filled to capacity. There's 10,000 gallons of water, piles of diapers, peroxide, personal items and clothing, plus even some donations of refrigerators and beds -- which will be used to help furnish 400 apartments the O'Neals' plan to rent for refugees in Dallas and other areas.

 

"The refrigerators and beds weren't expected," Shaunie O'Neal said. "But they definitely can be used. They'll definitely come in handy."

 

The O'Neals are unclear what will exactly happen once the trucks leave South Florida. They're finding that the process of distributing items throughout the ravaged region is perhaps the most difficult part of the plan.

 

 

 

 

Shaunie O'Neal said she's been told that the trucks, when they arrive in Louisiana, will be emptied for inspection and the items will be sent to various locations -- depending on what is needed where, and logistics in place for the distribution. She fears it could be a lengthy process.

 

"It's just frustrating," Shaunie O'Neal said. "All you're trying to do is help and get help to people in need and you see these people on TV just begging for help and whoever, I'm not going to point any fingers, but ... it's very, very, very difficult."

 

While the 12-time All-Star was manning the dropoff location, Edesio Biffoni, a Swiss man who works in finance and now lives in the Miami suburb of Coconut Grove, came with his sports-utility vehicle loaded with car seats, baby strollers, clothing, toys and other items.

 

Other citizens -- all unknowing they were about to meet O'Neal -- brought cases of soap and deodorant, plus toothbrushes, toothpaste, baby wipes and numerous other items.

 

"Everybody should be helping out. ... There's people who need these things more now," Biffoni said, moments after O'Neal gave the man a firm handshake and whispered appreciative words.

 

O'Neal said the damage he saw during his visit to Louisiana was unimaginable. So he returned home "to devise a plan," he said, and urged his friends and corporations he works with to provide immediate help.

 

"I'm just doing what I've been taught by my parents to do," O'Neal said. "This is the right thing to do, and I'm trying to urge other people to do it."

[bob_barron 0]

That asshole!

[TheOriginalOrangeGoblin 0]

I reckon that's JUST a bit better than playing in a charity game.

[Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly]

The important thing is that people are helping at all. They could be doing absoluetley nothing.

[Precious Roy 0]

Game is at 11 tonight, which is cool, doesn't really interfere with football....

[Guest pinnacleofallthingsmanly]

But it interferes with my sleep. I'm very disappointed.