NBA Stars Pass the Hat At Forum Sunday Night

   That said, we should probably tell you that the game wasn't much of a game, but it was a good opportunity to see some of the NBA's young talent showcase their offensive skills

   NBA veteran stars like Gary Payton and Nick Anderson were joined on the court by the likes of last season's rookie-of-the-year Vince Carter, and this year's number one pick, Elton Brand. Also represented were several players with local connections including Baron Davis -- who joins the Charlotte Hornets after three years in Westwood -- and Tyronn Lue, the Laker's exciting young point guard.

   Earvin Johnson himself led the home team, and the Magic man received the warmest welcome the 10,000 plus fans had to offer. The crowd also cheered loudly for Carter, Lue and Allen Iverson, who was perhaps the evening's biggest star, and certainly its biggest ego.

   The Philadelphia 76er led the NBA in scoring last season and the trend continued in this game as he led the home team to victory with 42 points (really Allen, 42 points in a charity game?) "The Answer," as Iverson is known, did show off his great passing ability on occasion by dishing out some alley-oop assists that were finished in spectacular style by Toronto Raptor Vince Carter. Iverson also excited the crowd by dueling with NBA rookie Steve Francis on back-to-back-to-back possessions in the second quarter.

   The number-one pick of the Chicago Bulls in the 1999 NBA draft did not do much to impress. At 6' 8" and 260 lbs, Elton Brand dominated inside play for the talented Duke Blue Devils last year, but he looked undersized and a bit slow on the court Sunday night. He had the reputation as a hard worker in college, and the Bulls had better hope that he keeps up that hard work if he's going to live up to his high ranking.

   On the other hand, Steve Francis, drafted second by the Vancouver Grizzlies looked like the point guard the Grizz have been dreaming of for the last three years. His ball handling was solid, he saw the court very well and his outside shot looked smooth. Hard as it may be to believe, it looks like the Grizzlies are going to be a much-improved team this year.

   While there was general consensus that Brand had little left to learn from the college game, eyebrows were raised when teammate Corey Maggette announced for the draft after only one year at Duke with coach Krzyzewski. The athleticism Maggette displayed in the game makes it easy to understand why Orlando grabbed him with the 13th pick. If his court sense catches up with his raw talent, Maggete may become known as the steal of this year's draft.

   Many people, especially in Los Angeles, also questioned whether UCLA's Baron Davis was ready to play in the big leagues, and this evening did not do much toward settling that question. Davis scored only 4 points, but he did have some sweet assists and at times he was the only one on the floor playing any defense at all -- as evidenced by his 3 personal fouls (a number topped only by Frances, who earned his fouls battling Iverson).

   As for who won -- who cares?? (Okay, it was Magic's team.) The Forum was filled Sunday night with young men and women dressed to the nines -- folks who figured the concession stand was as good a place as any to meet Mr. or Ms Right -- and families with young children who wanted their kids to have the opportunity to see Magic play on the Forum floor, and young boys who watched Payton, Iverson and Francis with a hungry hopeful look in their eyes. And it was filled with a spirit of generosity that said, "So what if the program's ten bucks? It's for a good cause." And that's the most important thing to know.