Feb. 9, 2000

The following is not a typical athlete's journal entry. You will not read about how many points were scored, who won, or who was difficult to guard. Mostly because of what you'll read about below. Instead, you will experience The World According To Me. Each week, I'll be posting another entry, so stay tuned ...

I'll be heading out to San Francisco (OK, Oakland) for the NBA All-Star festivities this week. I figured I'd post a journal now since there will be tons to write when I come back east. All-Star weekend includes great hoops, great parties, and a chance to have a lot of interaction with fans. If you can't get out there for the game, you can check out the majority of the behind-the-scenes activities on NBA.COM TV.

Hammon

The New York Liberty will be represented in the ever-exciting 2ball competition by Becky Hammon. I wonder if she'll take the highway or off-road to the competition? I also wonder if she'll bring her fishing pole and tackle box in the hopes of catching a big one out of the Pacific. (If you don't know what the heck I'm talking about, you haven't read the article on the lil' Beckster posted on WNBA.com).

Speaking of Dot Com, make sure you read the transcript from Sue Wick's live chat from Feb. 2. I wish I'd known she was going to be online. She is truly a nut and some of her answers to the cyber-questions will show what I mean!

OK, I thought I'd give ya'll a dose of some Just Wonderings since we haven't wondered together in a long time. Here goes.

JUST WONDERING

*How many people observe nocturnal animals? My new camcorder has a "nightshot function." The user manual explains that this function, "enables you to shoot a subject in a dark place. For example you can satisfactorily record the environment of nocturnal animals for observation when you use this function." Yeah, I'm sure that's what people will use it for!

*Where can you sled in Manhattan? Rosie Perez bruised some bones and had to wear a neckbrace after suffering a severe neck sprain in a Manhattan sledding accident. She went down the hill first. Her husband followed her and couldn't stop. He ran her over. I don't want to giggle about someone else's misfortune ... but please try to visualize that accident without smiling ...

*Who punches a horse? A New Yorker was sentenced to four days of community service after punching a police horse. He was formally charged with "attempting to injure a police animal." Your guess is as good as mine!

*What was Cynthia Cooper thinking? No, not THAT Cynthia Cooper (of the Houston Comets). The other Cynthia Cooper - who stole $150,000 from LL Cool J's free summer camp. Maybe she just wanted the publicity from a blurb in the New York Times!

*Why common sense isn't so common? A 57-year old driver trainee from Arkansas got lost and wedged a tractor trailer in the mouth of the Holland Tunnel. I don't know what he was thinking when he nicked the 12-foot high warning bar or when he ignored the alarm and stop light. They had to deflate his tires to get him towed away. Oh, the instructor happened to be asleep in the cab at the time of the incident!

OK, I'm done wondering. Hopefully you will wonder what kind of exciting stories I can bring back from All-Star weekend. I'm sure they'll include lots of info on Becky Hammon and other WNBA and NBA players. I've got the all-access pass and I'll share the scoop and the photos when I return.

Can't forget to give Shout Outs to:

 Patrick Ewing: Keep proving them wrong, Big Fella
 Rick Brunson: finally getting some deserved minutes
 Mo: Congrats on the new job. We're gonna miss ya
 Coquese: See ya in Houston. Just don't pass the ball to the "Big Three"
 My Talented Mr. Ripley dates: word to the wise ... wait for it on video
 Super helpful producers at NBA.COM TV (Best written "updates" anywhere!)
 Flat-tire-changing, video-editing, Becky-Hammon-loving, $20 bill-loaning dudes
 All who saw, and enjoyed, the movie Topsy Turvy. I can't wait to finish viewing it.