NBA stars, celebrities shoot for charity

Tom Arnold strolled onto the basketball court at the Hard Rock hotel-casino and warmed up in the midst of NBA players. The disheveled comedian didn't appear intimidated as he took jumpers with a stogie clenched in his teeth.

Later in the evening, Donny Osmond (as in Donny and Marie) dueled Tommy Chong (as in Cheech and Chong) in a morally diverse shootout.

This form of basketball was not serious business. It was a time to forget about the ongoing NBA lockout and help the less fortunate.

"The only reason we're sweating is because of the heat," Washington Wizards forward Tracy Murray said. "This is all about having a good time for a good cause."

Stars from Hollywood and the hardwood gathered at the Hard Rock on Monday for the inaugural Hoops in Vegas tournament to benefit the Educational Research and Services Center, a facility in Culver City, Calif., that assists at-risk families.

Sixteen teams, each comprised of one player, one celebrity and two others, competed by trying to make shots from various spots on the floor within 60 seconds.

The team led by Charlotte's B.J. Armstrong and singer Osmond defeated the squad headed by No. 1 draft pick Antawn Jamison and actor Corbin Bernsen in the final. Other NBA players included Golden State's Muggsy Bogues, Detroit's Charles O'Bannon, the Clippers' Pooh Richardson and the Los Angeles Lakers' Sean Rooks.

"Especially with the lockout, to get together for a good cause and see the other guys is beautiful," said Jamison, who was selected first overall by Golden State but is prohibited from signing his contract due to the lockout.

The lockout started shortly after the NBA Draft and could encroach on the start of the 1998-99 season, which is scheduled to begin Nov. 3. Negotiations between the league and its players have been fruitless so far. Commissioner David Stern, deputy commissioner Russ Granik and six owners abruptly stormed out of a recent meeting in which the players offered their latest proposal.

The next key date in the standoff is Aug. 24, when arbitrator John Feerick convenes a hearing on the grievance contending more than 200 of the players' guaranteed contracts should be honored during the work stoppage.

With the lockout in effect, none of the usual off-season business can take place. That includes all player signings, trades, summer camps and workouts.

"It's really hurting us rookies," Jamison said. "We need to be getting the rules and the game play of the NBA down. We need to get exposure to the league. We can't even talk to our coaches right now.

"We're going to be a couple months behind. We're going to have to work that much harder."

Jamison starred at North Carolina and easily could have turned pro after his junior season. And while he received nationwide media acclaim for deciding to return for his senior season, that move may have hindered his pro career in light of the lockout.

"The hard thing is all I ever dreamed about as a kid was getting to the NBA," Jamison said. "Now that I'm here, it's been put on hold. That's hard to swallow.

"This is my future. It's something I just have to cope with. There's not a thing I can do."

But Jamison found solace in Monday's tournament.

"It gives us exposure and a chance to meet with the guys," he said. "It's a lot of bonding. If I have questions, they'll help me out with pointers on the game.

"It's a big transition from college to the NBA. I'm the type of guy who will do whatever it takes to be successful. I need to be ready to go out there when it comes time to bump and grind."

The rookies may stand to lose the most. But the veterans are eager to return, too.

"Nobody wants to miss any games," Murray said. "People need to remember we're not striking. We want to work. They (the owners) don't want us to work.

"But the fans are the ones who will miss out the most. We need to end this thing so the fans can enjoy the game. We need to sit down, lock the door and get it done."

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