BG, DJ & EJ to participate in upcoming charity games

[mkwest]

NBA stars coming Oct. 21 for Mike Beasley's All-Star Classic

They can't get into Target Center these days, so NBA stars John Wall, Joakim Noah and DeMarcus Cousins are among those expected to play in Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley's "All Star Classic" at Osseo High School -- of all places -- next week.

Beasley's Wolves teammates Derrick Williams, Wes Johnson, Martell Webster, Wayne Ellington and former Wolf Sebastian Telfair are scheduled to play as well in the Friday night, Oct. 21 exhibition game.

So, too, are Boston's Jeff Green, Detroit's Greg Monroe, L.A. Clippers' DeAndre Jordan, Chicago's Keith Bogans and Beasley's longtime pal, former Dukie Nolan Smith.

Missing from the list -- at least for now -- is childhood buddy Kevin Durant.

Vikings running back Adrian Peterson and former Lakers star Norm Nixon, who has been working out Beasley and mentoring him this off-season, will be celebrity coaches.

Jerry Zgoda, Star Tribune

Kevin Durant to host charity basketball game in OKC with LeBron James, Blake Griffin

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Kevin Durant is making good on his promise to put on a charity exhibition game featuring his fellow NBA superstars. Details of the event are expected to be announced at a news conference Wednesday afternoon.

According to numerous sources with knowledge of the event, the game will pit two star-studded squads against each other, with one side being Durant’s team and the other being former Oklahoma star Blake Griffin’s team. Miami Heat star LeBron James is one of several players who have been confirmed for the event. New Orleans guard Chris Paul and Heat guard Dwyane Wade also are expected to show.

The game is tentatively scheduled to be played Thursday, Oct. 27, inside the Cox Convention Center, which holds just shy of 14,000 for basketball. Other potential stars that could make an appearance include L.A. Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and New York forward Carmelo Anthony, as well as Thunder guards Russell Westbrook and James Harden…

Inside Hoops | NewsOK

[thanumba2clippersfan]

I'm glad that these guys have many opportunities to play basketball.

[mkwest]

I'm glad that these guys have many opportunities to play basketball.

I'm really hoping that these 2 games will be streamed. We haven't seen them on the court in any fashion since June.

[mkwest]

Sources: Blake Griffin suffers cut

Los Angeles Clippers star Blake Griffin has been forced to pull out of Sunday's charity exhibition game in Oklahoma City co-headlined by Kevin Durant because of a cut on his right foot, according to sources close to Griffin.

The former Oklahoma standout sustained a cut while in the ocean that required "a few stitches," according to one source.

The injury is not serious, sources said, but will prevent Griffin from playing in the game Sunday night at the Cox Convention Center in Oklahoma City, which holds roughly 14,000 for basketball games.

Marc Stein, ESPN

[mkwest]

DeAndre and nearly everyone else pulled out of the Michael Beasley "All-Star Classic"

Blake would have liked to have attended the game in OKC, but won't be traveling until after the stitches are removed.

The Kevin Durant, OKC exhibition game can be seen on yuuhoops.com

[mkwest]

Game is going on right now and can be seen on wazoo sports for $12.95.

A radio broadcast can be heard here

[playaloc916]

^^
That poster is gold, lol. The Villains, I like it. But it's hilarious to see all of them looking "villainous", except for Z-Bo, who looks like he's posing for his graduation photo. And damn, Rondo looks like he belongs in that neverending "who's the most ripped player of all-time" thread that keeps popping up on the GB.

[mkwest]

The Villains won 152-149 in overtime. Gordon dropped 24.

^^
That poster is gold, lol. The Villains, I like it. But it's hilarious to see all of them looking "villainous", except for Z-Bo, who looks like he's posing for his graduation photo. And damn, Rondo looks like he belongs in that neverending "who's the most ripped player of all-time" thread that keeps popping up on the GB.

At least it's not Artis Gilmore

[thanumba2clippersfan]

I didn't realize EJ was on the villains roster. That villains squad has a nice roster.

[mkwest]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1cNiIJmgEk0[/youtube]

You can see the stellar defense being displayed in these highlights Gordon comes in at about 1:30.

[mkwest]

John Lucas to Host Game for Charity With NBA Players

HOUSTON - While the NBA may be in the midst of a lockout, former NBA coach and player John Lucas told FOX 26 Sports he will host a charity game featuring a number of NBA stars on Nov. 20 at the Delmar Stadium Complex in northwest Houston.

According to Lucas the players he has confirmed who will take part in the event include L.A. Clippers forward Blake Griffin, Oklahoma City forward Kevin Durant, Washington Wizards forward Rashard Lewis, the former star from Alief Elsik and free agent guard T.J. Ford, former star at Willowridge High School and the University of Texas.

"Blake and Rashard will happen for sure," Lucas said. (Chicago Bulls guard) Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant is supposed to be coming, (Thunder center) Kendrick Perkins, T.J. Ford, (forward) Chandler Parsons with the Rockets, (guard) Jonny Flynn with the Rockets."

Lucas said all of the players he mentioned are expected to play with the exception of Rose, who will be in attendance.

Mark Berman, My FOX Houston

[mkwest]

Hometown DJ replaces Blake?

[mkwest]

Mario Chalmers charity game 12/1 in Alaska includes: Eric Gordon, DeAndre Jordan, James Harden, John Wall, Spencer Hawes (per Chalmers)

- Zach Lowe

Hopefully, EJ and DJ end up on the same team. Also included are Boozer (Alaska native), Brandon Rush, Marcus & Markieff Morris, Julian Wright, Cole Aldrich, Chris Bosh, Dexter Pittman, Michael Beasley, Daequan Cook, Terrence Williams, Nate Robinson and Iman Shumpert.

Players @drewgooden1 charity:Amar'e,Rubio,DeRozan,Marion,JET,Eric Gordon,DoWright,Varejao,Harrington,Afflalo,Powe,Harden,Kapono,JTyler &more

Marc J. Spears

11/20 at Cow Palace in San Francisco.

Durant, Carmelo, CP3, John Wall, Amare, Rudy Gay, Ray Allen, Chris Bosh, Blake Griffin, Mourning, Ewing, Reggie Miller, Mutombo & others

Michael Lee

12/12 in DC

Ryan Gomes, Trey Thompkins and Travis Leslie are up in Connecticut to play in a charity game on Friday night. Jonathan Givony (Draftexpress) confirms that Thompkins has lost a ton of weight since the combine. Other players in attendance are Tyreke Evans (20lbs overweight), Hasheem Thabeet, Nolan Smith, Iman Shumpert, Wesley Matthews, Sam Young, Donte Greene and Jordan Williams.

[mkwest]

Travis Leslie's game winning basket

CT beats DC 171-169. Josh Selby 48 pts, Sam Young 38, Tyreke Evans 38, Nolan Smith 35, Trey Thompkins 26 Wesley Matthews 25 Travis Leslie 25

Jonathan Givony

[mkwest]

I-95 Bridgeport Battle Recap
A group of NBA players put on a solid show in Connecticut.

Once we got everything situated and the action tipped, the game immediately had a bit of a laissez faire feel to it. The crowd was hyped, but it was evident (and understandable, for that matter) that the players weren’t going to be going in like it was Game 7 of the NBA Finals. Scoring was of a premium, based on the 171-169 score that remained on the board as the buzzer expired. The game wasn’t played without excitement, though. Even though they were playing for half speed for the bast majority of the contest, both teams turned it on for the final few minutes and truly gave the fans a show. Both went hard towards the climax, ending with a Travis Leslie oop at the buzzer to give Team Connecticut the dub.

Travis Leslie, 6-5, SF, LA Clippers, 25 points: As far as highlights were concerned, there wasn’t anyone better than the former Georgia high flyer. He brought the crowd to its feet with a few ridiculous windmills and oops that he caught on the break. After catching mad heat for bouncing to the League after his junior year (many felt he would have been better off sticking around for another season), he appears to have used that criticism to fuel his desire to strengthen his perimeter game…which looked much improved from his days in Athens.

Trey Thompkins, 6-10, PF, LA Clippers: While we weren’t able to get the exact numbers for Thompkins, he made a resounding impact on the game with his ability to stretch the D and bomb from the NBA 3-point arc. Equally as impressive as Thompkins’ ability to stroke it from deep was the fact that he looks to have lost at least 20 pounds since his playing days at UGA. If the rookie can keep it up and continue to improve, there’s no reason why he can’t be a better version of Brian Cook (in his prime) down the line for the Clip Show.

Rodger Bohn, SLAM

Drew Gooden's Make-A-Wish Foundation Charity Game in San Francisco
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXWuXhTL7VA[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-hV_hNHB1Q[/youtube]
- One EJ turnaround 3 pointer as time expired

John Lucas Charity Game Top 10 Highlights
- a ton of DJ dunks

[thanumba2clippersfan]

I'm glad to hear that Thompkins is getting in better shape. Haven't heard too much on him so I'm glad that there is some positive news on him. I would love to see our rookies play and it sucks that we will have to wait awhile.

[mkwest]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmXnRUYbs7w[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ8L_WSk0u0[/youtube]

Thompkins is number 33.

Blake was to take part in a Nash/Kidd Charity game, but that will hopefully be canceled with the season on the way.

[mkwest]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tx9kvOMffxI[/youtube]

Craig Smith highlights from Baron's LA Unified Charity game on Sunday, courtesy of RikDaddy.