The Finals Legacy Project Ribbon Cutting

I participated in The Finals Legacy Project ribbon cutting at the Oakland Boys and Girls Club.

The NBA and Warriors renovated the entire club with a new gym, and learn and play center including state of the art computers and books. It was incredible!

Here are a few photos from the event:

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver

Ahmad Rashad

NBA Legend Bob Lanier, USF Coach Blair Hardiek and Warriors Star Shaun Livingston

Grant Hill

Warriors Coaches Luke Walton and Steve Kerr

An Incredible Venue for the All-Star Game

This has been a great week of events in Dallas! But the finalé — the All-Star Game was absolutely amazing!!

Unless you have been to the Cowboys Stadium, it is hard to get a sense of how massive the 50-yard HD TV is — largest in the world! It hangs above what is normally a football field (which was converted to a basketball venue for the game).

There is no bad seat in the stadium for the record-breaking 108,000 fans — largest ever for a basketball game! I had seats on the second row, and could see the game perfectly well, but I found myself staring constantly at the gigantic TV!

On hand were the usual celebrities, and great music including a performance by Usher, but the real star of the night was the stadium. Unbelievable!!!

NBA All-Star Weekend (Day 4)

Dallas has been incredible! We had an Africa reception where NBA Commissioner David Stern announced the new NBA office in Johannesburg. The NBA will be developing the game in Africa.

My friend Dikembe Mutombo will be a major force in the effort to not only grow the game but to spread the message of NBA Cares around the continent.

We also had a WNBA reception where I had the opportunity to meet Maria Shriver and hear about the great work she is doing with the Special Olympics. I feel so fortunate to be a part of the NBA and the NBA Cares family. The work is so rewarding!

Here are a few more photos from the NBA All-Star Weekend... Will have some videos soon.

NBA All-Star Weekend (Day 3) Day of Service

NBA All-Star Weekend (Day 2)

I barely have time to write as we have had so many great events, including wheelchair basketball and several NBA Fit events.

Yesterday was strange — we got 12 inches of snow! Dikembe Mutombo and I were stuck in traffic for 3.5 hours! We only went about 10 miles! The good news is that I got to know Dikembe and I am so impressed with him!

He is so humble and has such a wonderful positive outlook on life. He has built a hospital in Africa with his own money and he continues to be involved in Atlanta and around the globe. Unfortunately the media covers the negative things the players do but the reality is there are far more current and former players like Dikembe who do wonderful things in their communities.

Here are a few photos from our NBA Fit video shoot with WNBA and NBA All-Stars.

NBA All-Star Weekend (Day 1) Featuring Laura Bush

I have been going non-stop since I got here to Dallas! We have had a number of events the past couple of days.

A real highlight was our NBA Cares event with Laura Bush. Bob Lanier and I co-hosted the event. (And it was a really cool to be able to address the former First Lady...)

Read to Achieve

We dedicated a new library at Ferrell Elementary School in Dallas. Since Mrs. Bush is a former librarian and is passionate about literacy in this country, she was a perfect fit for the event. She was extremely kind and delivered a very graceful and articulate message encouraging the kids to read. I was fortunate to have been able to meet her and talk to her for a bit. She was wonderful.

With Felipe Lopez and Mark Cuban

A Great NBA FIT Event

We started the new year with a bang — 4 events in Boise, Idaho, as a part of the NBA’s D-League Fit Challenge.

NBA FIT is the league's comprehensive health and wellness platform promoting healthy, active lifestyles for children and adults. The initiative encourages physical activity and healthy living through products, events and programs for children and families. In doing so, NBA FIT strives to engage one million kids, adults and families to pledge NBA FIT during the 2009-10 season.

Frank Lopez (one of the NBA’s top trainers) and I, along with players from the D-League worked with 400 middle school and elementary school kids in Boise, talking with them about the importance of being fit and healthy and showing them hands on activities to keep them moving.

Participating in NBA FIT is part of my role as an Ambassador for the NBA. It is one of the programs I am most passionate about. We are at a real crisis in this country with regard to our health. One of the greatest solutions is to empower and educate youth on the value of taking care of their bodies. I am happy that the NBA has taken a lead in this effort.

Hanging With SpongeBob

I never know who I am going to meet!

This is a photo from a recent NBA game. I had to run down SpongeBob and Patrick to take this photo for my niece, Alex. Patrick is her favorite and when I showed her the photo she asked, “Nini (that’s what she calls me), how did you get to meet them?” Too cute!

I am still getting ready for my big trip back “home” in Knoxville for the Hall of Fame induction. I finally got the “memorabilia” together they requested for my display.

I sent the Naismith Trophy as well since I think it will be better there than in a box in my garage. It was a tremendous honor and I think people should get to see one live at the WBHOF.