NBA 101: Hornets' Christmas lists not exactly typical By Andrew Gilman The Oklahoman From：http://tinyurl.com/bwct9 What do you get for the NBA player who's got it all, or, more accurately, can buy it all? Don't think too hard, because it's not the thought that counts. Beyond the talent, the money, the lifestyle and their size, NBA players want exactly what the rest of us want. "I just ask for money," said Hornet guard Chris Paul. "I get money from my family and then buy my own stuff." Paul wants money, and forward PJ Brown says he's always handing out the cash, but the Christmas lists for the Hornets -- both giving and receiving -- aren't exactly typical. "They know the things I like," Desmond Mason said of his family, which always makes sure there a few presents under the tree for the Hornet forward. "I got a golf organizer for my garage last year and a lamp for my game room. You still get normal stuff which is a little refreshing. You can always go out and get the things you really want, but to keep getting the normal stuff, like underwear, socks or T-shirts is great. "I'm from the country. I'm humble." So, what does the country kid from Waxahachie, Texas, get for his family? "I'm going to get my mom a car," Mason said. "But I haven't figured out what kind yet. My wife is into fashion, she likes clothes and jewelry. I'm good at shopping for her. I know what she looks good in, so that makes things easier." Easy? It's never been easy for Brown at Christmas time -- "I've been the giver since before I was in the NBA," he said. "Most people think if you put the effort of thinking about the gift, they like it more. It's not true. They like the green." A year ago, guard J.R. Smith bought his mom a house. This year, Paul says he and his brother C.J. bought their mom a car, a Chrysler 300. All of the players said they enjoyed being able to give their family and friends everything they wanted. The best thing, though, according to Smith wasn't a present at all. "I just want to be able to spend some time with my mom," Smith said. And of course, the players have their own lists, too. "If someone wants to get me the Xbox 360 or a video camera that would be OK," Paul said with a smile. "I want to video my mom when she sees the car." Coach Byron Scott says he never got a basketball as a Christmas gift. His favorite thing to do on the holiday? "Just watch my kids open presents," he said. And what does Hornet owner George Shinn give for the holidays? Well, exactly what you might expect. "Hornets stuff," he said. "Go through the store, sweatshirts, hat, all kinds of stuff. That's what I give." School's in session Hey, did someone kick Chris Webber's dog? Man, he looks upset out there. What's gotten into him? Always glaring, always angry looking, Webber says it's always emotional out on the floor for him. Perfect. Then there's no one better to ask about the three meanest looking guys in the league. "I guess I grew up watching Xavier McDaniel and Shawn Kemp," Webber said. "Those guys always had a look about them." Here's Webber's list of the best, uh, worst, uh, make that meanest looking guys in the league: Gary Payton, Miami guard: He's got that stare thing going, doesn't he? Shaquille O'Neal, Miami center: He's the biggest guy out there, so you gotta say Shaq. Kevin Garnett, Minnesota forward: (Hornet fans might remember KG. He and guard Chris Paul got into a bit of a staring contest back in November in the Hornets' win. Paul was called for a technical for staring at Garnett). "I just love his scowl," Webber said. Fact or fiction Is there such a thing as a make-up call? Well, depends who you talk to. Fiction: "It might seem like it, but it doesn't exist," says league director of officials Ronnie Nunn. "If you see an obvious walk on one end and then see a walk on the other end, you should call it. But people think that's a make-up call." Fact: Hornet forward PJ Brown doesn't agree with Nunn. "Yeah it happens. Sometimes officials, they'll tell you they made a mistake. Or they'll go back and review something at halftime and come back and make that call up along the way. So yeah, I definitely believe some of that goes on." Pop quiz New rules, new collective bargaining agreement and a dress code. There are a lot of things to keep up with this season for NBA players. We asked a few what rules they would change if they were in charge for a day. Rafer Alston, Houston guard: I'd limit the number of back-to-back games. It's too hard. Jason Terry, Dallas guard: The length of the shorts. I'd let them be as long as you want. Eduardo Najera, Denver forward: Nothing. I wouldn't change a thing. Everything's perfect. Chrismas cheer Mavericks guard Darrell Armstrong was so happy his beloved Washington Redskins beat the Dallas Cowboys last week that he grabbed a microphone before last Sunday night's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves and hollered, "How 'bout those Redskins!" It's going to cost him $1,000. Dallas coach Avery Johnson announced the fine during his postgame news conference and team owner Mark Cuban later verified it was legit, much to the chagrin of a disbelieving Armstrong. The money will go to charity, with Johnson saying the Cowboys would decide the recipient. Knicks: Coach Larry Brown recounted watching his 11-year-old son's basketball game in Westchester, N.Y., and said he was appalled to see the coach employing zone defenses. "I want to be a great parent and not say a word," Brown said. "But I was dying." transplant. To the 35-year-old Heat center, he is supposed to be back atop the league in blocked shots, among the NBA leaders in shooting percentage. It is who he is, when whole. "You see," Mourning said. "I have not surprised myself, because I know my body. I've been playing this game at a high level for a very long period of time. "The only thing that had kept me from performing was my endurance. That's it. The good thing about it is at this stage in my life, I've got a kidney that has my body very healthy." Pistons: Darko Milicic is officially in the doghouse. After a lifeless performance in the fourth quarter of the blowout over Chicago last week, coach Flip Saunders has demoted Milicic out of the everyday rotation, stating that he will have to win back playing time in practice. Veteran Dale Davis and rookie Jason Maxiell are both outplaying Milicic in practice, but neither one is scoping up his free minutes. Saunders, instead, used his four main reserves last week, with Antonio McDyess as the only post off the bench. Compiled from newspaper reports around the country --

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