The Starting Five

The sports world lost two great players from the 1980′s this week - Freddie Solomon and Gary Carter. Two men that I remember vividly from my childhood.

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Do you remember that one time?

Jeremy Lin was added to market the game. There’s nothing else to it and honestly it’s good for his people in this undeniably myopic TV world. Props to the young fella for putting a charge in New York. The game itself is just a showcase to highlight young stars who are doing some things. I tell you what though…when we all look back on this game some time from now, one name will be a glaring omission…Nikola Vucevic of the Philadelphia 76′ers. Trust me on that.

TNT will have exclusive live coverage of the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, Feb. 24, at 9 p.m. (ET). Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal will serve as team general managers. Kenny Smith will serve as the honorary commissioner of the game, while Steve Kerr and Mike Fratello serve as team coaches.

TNT will once again air exclusive live coverage of the 2012 NBA All-Star Weekend from Orlando, Feb. 23-26.

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(Douglas Jones/US Presswire)

Chester native Jameer Nelson was inactive the last time the Orlando Magic faced the Philadelphia 76ers. Last night, Nelson more than accounted for his absence by scoring 12 points and a dishing out a career-high 14 assists as the Orlando Magic jumped out to an early lead and never looked back in a 103-87 victory over the visiting 76′ers.

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From Left: John Franco, David Plotkin, Trent Tucker and Richard Plotkin

Earlier this week, I had the opportunity to have a heartfelt conversation with David Plotkin – founder and chairman of the Max Cure Foundation. The foundation is named for his son Max, a courageous eight-year old was diagnosed with  B- Cell Lymphoma, a form of cancer found in the lymph nodes and in the lymphoid tissues. At the age of four.

As the father of a healthy eight-year old, this was a sobering interview for me. I was able to count my blessings while at the same time develop a genuine concern for the plight of the thousands of children like Max who were fighting pediatric cancer. The Starting Five will do its part in honoring those children battling Pediatric Cancer.

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This Lin run is incredible. There are no holes in this story. It’s all real. Yes, there is a racial component that can’t be questioned, but his talent is stepping up and taking what is his. I’ll have more on Jeremy Lin’s basketball impact later today that includes a relative David Stern quote I got earlier this season.

Voting is open on NBA.com, NBA Facebook Page and Yahoo.com for next week’s Fan Night match-up that will air on Feb. 21. Fans can select between the following games: Detroit Pistons @ Cleveland Cavaliers, New Orleans Hornets @ Indiana Pacers, Sacramento Kings @ Miami Heat, Philadelphia 76ers @ Memphis Grizzlies, San Antonio Spurs @ Portland Trail Blazers.

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(AP Photos)

It wasn’t the laugher that it was two weeks ago, but a win nevertheless for the Sixers.

The last time these two teams met Bobcats head coach Paul Silas was tossed before the half and the game was over in the second period as the Sixers rocked the visiting Bobcats in front of a Friday night crowd that included Will and Jada Smith. Last night, among much less fanfare the Sixers took their show on the road and met a more competitive Bobcats squad but would still pull out the win 98-89.

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03/14/2006
by Michael Tillery

John Chaney has retired as head basketball coach of Temple University

John Chaney. What can you say? The man is a living legend and has properly made his mark on society over a 40-year career. He is grounded. He is fully aware of his historical place in not only Philly basketball, but in every place in this world where the game is played. No disrespect, but I felt like I was interviewing a prophet in a sense. His knowledge and wisdom is something to behold. He is someone that our children need to know about. To admire. To research. To follow. He stresses education and maintaining a proper spirituality that we all need to recognize. Although he never won a championship, his character as well as his human responsibility dwarfs those who have won numerous.

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In Part I of my interview with former NBA sixth man Trent Tucker, we discussed his childhood, his introduction to basketball, life in New York and the Trent Tucker Rule.

In the second and final part of this interview, Trent and I discuss his championship season in Chicago, The Trent Tucker Non-Profit Organization and the way the NBA used to be.

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This is a time for me when words and emotions come together and produce nothing. Whitney Houston always had the physical appearance of a princess to my eyes – beautiful, sassy and confident. And when she belted out a note – the heavens opened up. Her voice was regal – if it came from the concert stage or the choir loft, it was all Whitney – it was all real.

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(Mark Duncan/AP Photos)

Last night, it was Jrue Holiday’s turn.

The third year point guard led the Sixers with 20 points as the team bounced back from back to back losses to defeat the Cleveland Cavaliers 99-84. The victory begins a stretch that will see the Sixers play seven of their next eight games on the road.

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(Howard Smith/US Presswire)

Chris Paul (24 points, 4 assists) took on the role of scorer last night as the Sixers and Clippers were engaged in a 48-minute defensive battle that came down to a Paul fadeaway with 3.2 seconds remaining as the visiting Los Angeles Clippers pulled out a 78-77 victory over the Sixers.

The loss gave the Sixers (18-9) back to back defeats for the first time this season.

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(Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images)

The Kings stepped up and defeated the heavily favored Thunder

Big win for the Kings in what had to be an electric atmosphere with beloved former King Chris Webber being part of the announcing team. These games are crazy because I don’t know if they were played last year…or any year…we’d have the same results. The lockout has had that much affect on any evaluation of any team on any day. With the travel and subsequent jet lag, players are affected in ways we’ve never seen. Now does this mean Sacramento couldn’t have won this game? No, but let’s be realistic about what’s going on here this NBA season. Everything is outta wack.

TNT’s NBA coverage continues Thursday, Feb. 16 at 8 p.m. (ET) with an exclusive doubleheader featuring the Boston Celtics @ Chicago Bulls (8 p.m. ET) followed by the L.A. Clippers @ Portland Trail Blazers (10:30 p.m. ET).

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The 2012 NBA All-Star reserves were announced exclusively on TNT

Iguodala is making his first All Star Game appearance

On February 2nd, TNT announced the All Star Game Starters and last night, the reserves were announced. There were some glaring snubs. I thought Josh Smith, Brandon Jennings and possibly Lou Williams should have slipped in ahead of Paul Pierce, Joe Johnson and Deron Williams. Lou because he’s ballin’ for a contender and is a big reason why the Sixers are winning games in the 4th quarter they would have lost just last year. Josh Smith because the Atlanta Hawks have been contenders for years. Why are they contenders? Josh Smith is a huge part of why they win in the ATL. He’s one of the best defenders in the NBA and is as elite an athlete as anyone in the lig. His game has developed and he’s not jacking up the threes he has in the past. Jennings because coming off injury, hes putting up big numbers nightly and holding the Bucks together after Andrew Bogut’s injury. Tyson Chandler robbed as well? I tell you what, the city of Philadelphia is proud because finally…Andre Iguodala is an All Star.  In the West, Rudy Gay should be on the squad ahead of his teammate Marc Gasol, Kyle Lowry…who has been rockin’ out of his mind all super versatile, should be ahead of Steve Nash and Dirk told us he shouldn’t be on the team, so why reward him when Paul Milsap deserved the nod?

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(H.Rumph Jr. /AP Photos)

Tony Parker has been on one of those hot streaks that can make the difference in a season.

Last night, the veteran point guard poured in 37 points as the visiting Spurs held off the Sixers 100-90.

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