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All-Star Saturday Notebook: Boris Goes Hollywood
By Josh Greene, Suns.com
Feb. 19, 2006
HOUSTON – A close friend of Spurs guard and French national teammate Tony Parker, a styling Boris Diaw was spotted sitting courtside with the All-Star playmaker’s girlfriend, Eva Longoria, star of the hit TV series “Desperate Housewives,” before the start of the All-Star Saturday Night festivities at the Toyota Center.
“Boris is my second favorite player,” the actress quipped.
Between his career-high numbers this season and keeping his buddy’s gal pal company, Diaw apparently has no problem dishing out an assist. He also helped out with the night’s foreign telecast as a guest commentator for French TV.
KEEPING IT IN THE SUNS FAMILY
The trio of Shawn Marion, Dan Majerle and Kelly Miller didn’t bring Phoenix a repeat winner in the annual Shooting Stars contest, but that doesn’t mean the Suns franchise was truly shut out in the affair. Former Suns guard and current minority investor Steve Kerr won the contest as a member of Team San Antonio alongside Tony Parker and Silver Star Kendra Wecker.
“There’s real no conflict of interest,” Kerr said. “I played for six different teams (laughs).”
Team San Antonio set a new Shooting Stars record by completing the run in just 25.1 seconds, breaking Phoenix’s record from a season ago.
“I played with Dan my rookie season,” Kerr added. “He’s a great guy and somebody I enjoy being around. It looks like he can still play 40 minutes a night. His body hasn’t changed one bit since he retired. He can still put it in.”
SONG SUNG RED, WHITE AND BLUE
Former Suns forward Walter McCarty found a national stage for his singing talents as the 6-10 big man opened All-Star Saturday Night with his rendition of the National Anthem.
“A lot of people don’t know I do music, except for my teammates,” the L.A. Clipper said. “It should be a lot of fun getting out there and doing the anthem. Hopefully they’ll enjoy it.”
This wasn’t the first time the singer has entertained the basketball masses. McCarty sung the anthem in his rookie season in New York, and as recently as his new team’s last home game against the Indiana Pacers.
“There’s not too much too it,” McCarty smiled. “It’s all about getting off on the right note and going from there.”
LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON
It’s no secret Suns Managing Partner Robert Sarver is a shrewd businessman, but apparently so is his oldest son, Max.
Spotted hitting the NBA Jam Session sports card memorabilia tables on Saturday with Vice Chairman Sam Garvin and his family, the youngster was busy brokering deals with vendors to sell his stash of Steve Nash and Amaré Stoudemire rookie cards while his proud dad looked on.
“My son is negotiating right now,” said the elder Sarver. “I’m going to see what his skills are. Yeah, we’re having a good time.”
AREN’T YOU FORGETTING SOMEBODY?
When asked by TNT Sports’ Ernie Johnson about the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs being the most dominant forces in the league, NBA Commissioner David Stern was quick to counter, “And you’re leaving out Phoenix?!”