MEDIA BLITZ

MOVIES
Semi-Pro was a dud at the box office—but you can't blame Dr. J, who refused to partake in its filming or promotion. "I'm not trying to give that movie any credibility because I think it does a disservice to the ABA," he told me during All-Star Weekend. "I was asked to participate and, in my gut, I thought it was a disservice referring to it as 'semi-pro,' so I declined."

But not everyone disapproved of Ferrell's flick.

Patrick O'Sullivan of the LA Kings recently gave it praise. "We saw Semi-Pro on the road last week. Give Will (Ferrell) credit, he's always the same character, and yet he's always funny." His favorite part? "All of the promotions, like when Jackie Moon wrestles a bear. I can relate. I played a year in the minors before I played in the NHL last year, and drawing people to lower level sports events is hard. I remember in Houston they had Cow Bell Night. I can't figure out what the appeal is, but it worked. They sold out!"

BOOKS
With the Mavs struggling, coach Avery Johnson has found himself in hot water. In Avery's new book Aspire Higher: Winning with Determination, Discipline, and Desire (HarperCollins) he discusses his journey from the projects in New Orleans, his leadership tips and one questionable decision: the Mavs' small ball tactic that led to last year's first-round elimination at the hands of the Warriors. "I had Erick Dampier injured, and it was a difficult match-up for us," Johnson explained during a recent phone chat. "Had we not missed fifteen lay-ups—we missed fifteen lay-ups!—we wouldn't be having this
conversation."

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