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NBA superstars, celebrities join to raise money for good cause

By Daily Bruin Staff

Aug. 3, 1997 9:00 p.m.

Monday, 8/4/97 NBA superstars, celebrities join to raise money
for good cause BASKETBALL: Festivities draw enthusiastic crowd,
while benefiting charity

By Tim Yun Daily Bruin Contributor Showtime returned to the
Great Western Forum on Saturday night, as a handful of the NBA’s
biggest and best stars participated in the Mid Summer Night’s Magic
All-Star game. The event, which was held to raise money for the
United Negro College Fund (UNCF), also provided the fans with a
chance to see the best compete against the best. The evening’s
festivities started with a celebrity game in which the stars of
Hollywood were given an opportunity to strut their stuff. Actor
"Flex" showed tremendous talent on the floor, at one point breaking
away for a slam dunk. Comedian Martin Lawrence provided some comic
relief on the court with a series of exaggerated fouls. "I just
came out here to have a good time and to show the crowd a little of
what I got," Lawrence said, "and you know, this is to help the
youth of inner cities, so it was all good." After the celebrity
game, the stars of the NBA stepped onto the floor and drew a
standing ovation from the crowd. "It’s great to see an L.A. crowd
come out for something like this," Orlando Magic guard Anfernee
Hardaway said, "you know usually they don’t come out and support
things like this, but tonight it was really great for them to come
out and support such a good cause." In addition to Penny Hardaway,
the "A" list of the NBA stars was in attendance. Laker phenom Kobe
Bryant, Miami Heat’s Tim Hardaway, Milwaukee Bucks’ Vin Baker and
Ray Allen, Toronto draft pick Tracy McGrady, Vancouver Grizzley
Shareef Adur-Rahim, Clipper guard Brent Barry, Seattle Supersonic
guard Gary Payton, UCLA alumni Derrick Martin and brothers Ed and
Charles O’Bannon were only some of the stars that participated in
the game. "I want to provide the fans who took their time to come
out to the game with some good basketball," Philadelphia Sixer
forward Jerry Stackhouse said, "look for me to do something special
tonight." However, the night belonged to Magic Johnson. He was
greeted with a thundering standing ovation as he was introduced to
the crowd. "I really appreciate the people of L.A. coming out and
showing their support for UNCF." Johnson said. "I just want to go
out there and give the fans a good show." Los Angeles’s highest
ranking official, Mayor Richard Riordan, also participated in the
night’s festivities by tossing the tip up to start the game. "It’s
good to see the people of Los Angeles come out here and support
such a good cause," Riordan said, "I came out here to show my
appreciation for the people of Los Angeles and to show my support
of Magic Johnson and his work for UNCF." The teams were coached by
actress Vivica A. Fox and actor Mark Curry. "I am having so much
fun just hangin’ out with all of these basketball stars and at the
same time raising money for the education of the youth of the inner
cities, so you can’t lose," Fox said. Although the general
consensus was that the game was just for fun, Kobe Bryant and Penny
Hardaway engaged in a heated battle on the court. For a stretch of
three minutes, both Bryant and Hardaway tried to break each other
down one-on-one. The battle became intense when both players
trash-talked as they walked down the floor. The intensity seemed to
reach its climax when Bryant casually flipped the ball to Hardaway
after making a lay-up. In the end, both players seemed to put their
differences aside. High school phenom Tracy McGrady dazzled both
during the game and afterwards, in the slam dunk contest. The
recent high school graduate turned heads when he was drafted by the
Toronto Raptors. He showed his talent by making spectacular moves
and throwing down thunderous dunks.

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