Morrison And Felton Ready To Go

LAS VEGAS – It wasn’t your typical practice. But then, there is by design little about the NBA All-Star Weekend that is typical of the league’s regular season events.

Bobcats guards Raymond Felton and Adam Morrison began Day Two of their long Las Vegas weekend on Friday, working out with their NBA rookie and sophomore teammates in preparation for the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge in the evening.

But the routine practice sounds of coaches shouting instructions and blowing whistles and of basketballs thumping endlessly against the court were drowned out by more than 500 excited children at the Andre Agassi Academy.

The youngsters, watching as guests of the league as part of its ongoing NBA Cares program, waved, shrieked, applauded and stomped their feet as they watched the first- and second-year players go through their paces.

“It’s fun being here,” Morrison said. “I’m glad to be a part of this.”

To do so, Morrison and the other players on the East-West rosters had to be up early and ready for a long day. Their practice sessions, each lasting one hour and separated by a 30-minute break for media interviews, began at 9:15 a.m. (12:15 p.m. Eastern time).

After working out the players walked through the stands, slapping hands with the kids and tossing out miniature basketballs

Two NBA mascots, Rufus of the Bobcats and Harry the Hawk of the Atlanta, also moved through the stands. They talked with the kids and sometimes sat down beside them for a few minutes.

Basketball Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson watched from a front row seat, giving the day a touch of history.

“I love it all,” Felton said. “I want to see as much of this as I can this weekend.”

The players then got a bus ride back to their hotel but had little time for a break or a visit with their families. By late afternoon they were back on the bus, this time headed to Thomas & Mack Center for the rookie-sophomore game.

That event helped tip off the league’s Las Vegas stay, which culminates on Sunday when the East All-Stars face the West in what is traditionally a high-scoring affair.

It also completed the weekend basketball responsibilities for Morrison and Felton. They plan to attend Saturday’s competition, highlighted by the three-point shooting and slam dunk contests, then fly back to Charlotte on Sunday.

They will be back in their routine again by Tuesday when the Bobcats resume regular season play at home against the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets.