“Jack Nicholson or Spike Lee seats” is the term commonly applied to floor level spectator seats. Its most closely identified with these two, if there is a Laker game at Staples Center or a Knick game at Madison Square Garden the two are usually in the house. They are not the only celebrities in attendance at NBA games and not the only celebrity season ticket holders. Actors Denzel Washington, Andy Garcia and Ice Cube can usually be spotted at Laker games. Comedian Billy Crystal and director Penny Marshall are usually at Staples Center but at Clipper games. None have the loyalty of Jack, television cameras focus on him during some portion of the game. It’s reported movie shooting schedules involving Nicholson are arranged around Laker games. How much does Nicholson pay for his seat, around $2,500 a game? Sometimes spotted at Celtic games is actor Matt Damon, he's even brave enough to wear his Celtic gear at Staples Center.

As an owner of the Cavs I guess singer Usher is required to appear at Quicken Loans Arena. New York and Madison Square Garden has it’s A celebrity list too. Comedians Chris Rock, Tracy Morgan and director Woody Allen and former tennis great John McEnroe are usually in attendance at Knick games. As for Spike Lee the figures I uncovered indicate he pays in the neighborhood of $1,900 for his Madison Square Garden seat. Lee’s wife can sometimes be spotted seated next to him; I wonder if he pays for two tickets? As for Miami the Heat have a number of celebrity fans as well. The television cameras routinely focus on singers Jimmy Buffet and Gloria Estefan along with actress Gabrielle Union. For purposes of space I've skipped a number of celebrity fans and arenas, those mentioned are but a handful of celebrities who are often in attendance at NBA arenas. None of the celebrities mentioned have the fan loyalty of Jack and Spike. If I were to arrange an order it would be Jack first and then Spike. Jack’s older and has been doing it longer so I will designate him celebrity fan number 1, Spike Lee has got to be 1a.

I think we might all be shocked if the Harrison twins chose to attend separate schools. The Harrison twins, Andrew a 6-5 point guard and brother Aaron a 6-5 shooting guard and are from Fort Bend Texas 40 miles from Houston. The brothers are Class of 2013 prospects, Rivals list Andrew as a number 3 prospect while Aaron is a number 4 choice. The prospect site MaxPreps list Andrew number one and brother Aaron number two in the Class of 2013. No skinny light weights for their 6-5 frames, Andrew weighs in at 205 pounds brother Aaron is at 210. The brothers have 10 schools on their list of choices and the usual heavyweights have offered scholarships. 

I am one Laker fan who is excited for the future of Andrew Bynum. The 76ers secured a classic big man one they have missed since the days of Moses Malone. “Come on you must be kidding, Malone left Philly in 1986!”  Before you run off screaming NO please hear me out, the 76ers have certainly had a number of centers over the course of this time period however none matching Bynum’s ability and skill. I couldn’t remember all the names so I consulted basketball-reference.com. There are names, Samuel Dalembert, Shawn Bradley, Manute Bol and the “finger-waver” himself Dikembe Mutombo. Those are the names that standout, there were other players who occupied the center position but you probably wouldn’t remember them. Of course you’d remember their names if you were/are a 76er fan. Mutombo is considered the best of the bunch, good defensive player but a limited offensive game. Andrew Bynum is not close to Mutombo defensively but light years ahead of him offensively. Bynum needs to “grow” up; his can be called into question at times. I foresee a tremendous upset for him and barring injuries he should continue to have a fruitful and productive NBA career. I’m anxious to see how he will perform as the focus for the 76er offense, a feat he was never called on to perform for the Lakers. His 30 rebound game this past season for the Lakers proves he’s got skills. This Laker fan is excited with the coming of Dwight Howard but will miss Big Andrew.

I thought I’d share a story with you I thought quite interesting. A female friend asked me about my daily activities, I informed her I spend a considerable amount of time writing this blog. Her response to me, “it’s not basketball season what could you be writing?” I don’t remember my reply but reflected on what I’d written earlier. I’m not going to automatically assume she’s no fan I don’t really know that. Casual basketball fans tend to assume the season concludes in April with the NCAA championship or June when the NBA champ is crowned. Game scores are no longer the lead story on SportsCenter however the game still remains highly visible. I pointed out earlier last summer was unusually different; the Lockout prevented a number of basketball related summer activities from occurring. Since the middle of June 2012 we have witnessed the draft, NBA summer league basketball plus free agent signings and a number of player trades. In addition at the amateur level AAU basketball was in full swing, many of us had an opportunity to check out future collegiate and NBA stars in the making. Basketball action culminated with Olympic basketball as the world competed for the Gold. It might be noted all this activity occurred in the middle of the baseball season and the start up of NFL training camps.