Kenny Smith Organizing Hurrican Relief ALLSTAR Game

[Cloudy]

HOUSTON -- Former Houston Rockets guard Kenny Smith is working with a promoter to organize a Sept. 11 charity basketball game benefiting Hurricane Katrina victims.

Smith, who won NBA titles with the Rockets in 1994-95, and Houston promoter Martin Fox said they have commitments from some of the biggest names in the NBA, Houston television station KRIV reported Saturday.

Smith, an analyst on TNT's national telecasts, said the event has a national television partner that will be announced when details are finalized. The game would be played at Toyota Center, home of the Rockets.

"This is not a pipe dream," Smith said. "It's just small hurdles, not big ones. The big ones have been jumped over."

Toyota Center and Rockets officials said they support the event.

Houston has the largest concentration of the estimated 223,000 Katrina refugees in Texas.

linky

Hope big stars will come out and help raise fund.
And hope it can be a fun game to watch..

[Kobe101]

I hope they get alot of money too. And I hope the game is good to watch.

[RoCkY MaIvIa]

hope all NBA family will help raise fund especially players since they are the muti millionaires!!!Kenny is a great guy.

[Anthony15]

i bet that half of the all star team would be from the hornets...lol

[Null17]

pretty cool and for a good cause too. wonder who'll join

[Andrew]

Definitely for a worthy cause. Kudos to the Jet for doing what he can.

[Cloudy]

Million-dollar lineups to play for Katrina fund
James, Bryant among the stars set for Toyota Center
By DAVID BARRON
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle

NBA players will donate more than $1 million to Hurricane Katrina relief efforts as part of a league-sanctioned exhibition game at 5 p.m. Sunday at Toyota Center.
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The game, whose organizers include former Rockets guard and TNT analyst Kenny Smith, will be broadcast at 10 p.m. Sunday on TNT and will include public service announcements soliciting contributions to the American Red Cross' relief efforts for Katrina victims.

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

Tickets start at $300 each for courtside seats, including a chance to meet with players. Other tickets range in price from $10 to $25. Special arrangements will be made for Hurricane Katrina victims to attend.

Tickets are available by phone at 866-446-8849, on the Internet at www.toyotacentertix.com and at area Randall's stores and the Toyota Center box office.

Players scheduled to attend include LeBron James, Cavaliers; Kobe Bryant , Lakers; Kevin Garnett , Timberwolves; Jermaine O'Neal , Pacers; Stephon Marbury , Knicks; Dwyane Wade , Heat; Amare Stoudemire , Suns; Paul Pierce , Celtics; Alonzo Mourning , Heat; Antonio McDyess, Pistons; and Steve Francis , Magic.

Also, Sam Cassell , Clippers; Ron Artest, Pacers; Chauncey Billups, Pistons; J.R. Smith , Hornets; Dahntay Jones , Grizzlies; Mike James, Rockets; Lindsey Hunter , Pistons; Derek Anderson , Rockets; and Carlos Boozer, Jazz.

The Mavericks' Avery Johnson will coach one of the teams. Smith will broadcast the game with Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley and Craig Sager .

[Fitzy]

Looks good Should be a good match, like an all star game

[Amphatoast]

will this be aired on TNT?

[Cloudy]

I bet it will, since Barkley, Smith, and Johnson will be broadcasting the game..
So it also means I won't get to watch it here in Asia

[RoCkY MaIvIa]

Yea no asia..

[Riot]

KG and Cassell are playing, I have to watch. Is that 10pm eastern time?

[ShAuN]

Thats cool, hes a good man. I hope that players will donate plenty of money. Shaq should send in like 3 mil with that 1,000,000 M contract. I think McGrady will donate alot of money, I bet McGrady and Kobe will join and they will do somthing like how ever many point they get thats how much they will donate. But in thousands or somthing.

[John WB]

T-Mac's not listed as a participant, but I expect him to be there. It is in Houston.

Maybe they already have too many players tho.

I'm psyched for this game though. Finally some NBA Basketball!

Should be fun.

[Kobe101]

This is gonna be good!

All the players are already looking forward to next season.