The Answer Hits Denver

A.I. Gets to Know Denver

Last week, Allen Iverson made his debut in a Denver Nuggets jersey scoring 20 points and dishing out eight assists. Then he spent the holiday weekend getting to know his new town. After the game against Sacramento last Friday, Iverson and Carmelo Anthony went to get some grub at Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Lower Downtown Denver. They chopped it up about the rest of the season and how well they’ll be playing together.

“We went out last night and we talked about how everybody is saying that we can't coexist together," Iverson told the Denver Post. "But we are going to enjoy it, because we get a chance to prove those people wrong. I've won my scoring title. I've done it many times, and I want him to have something like that because he deserves it, and I will be right there to help him accomplish that."

Then on Saturday afternoon, Iverson took his son to Dave and Buster’s to celebrate his ninth birthday. Iverson spent Christmas with his wife, Tawanna, and his four children in Denver, and practiced later that night.

Jay-Z’s Nets Heading to Brooklyn in 2009?

After much speculation, it could be going down – the Nets are closer to coming to Brooklyn in 2009. Last week New York state officials unanimously approved the controversial $4.2 billion Atlantic Yards Projects that will change the Brooklyn skyline with 16 towers and a pro basketball arena for the Nets.

"I look forward to seeing [developer] Bruce Ratner and [architect] Frank Gehry's grand vision turned into reality and to eating a hot dog as I watch the Brooklyn Nets play in Brooklyn's new arena in the 2009-2010 season," Gov. George Pataki told the New York Daily News.

The only hitch is the organization, Develop Don’t Destroy Brooklyn, is trying to stop the process saying the project is illegitimate and will continue to fight it in court. It’s going to be a tough battle, since the city and the state are chipping in $100 million for the project and Mayor Bloomberg also gave the project thumbs up.

According to the New York Daily News, the project will reshape a low-rise, mostly residential neighborhood into a bustling metropolis with an 18,000-seat arena, cavernous retail space, a hotel and 16 undulating glass towers with office space and 6,430 housing units.

Jay-Z celebrated the approval later that night with Beyonce as they watched the Nets beat the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Paul Pierce Hosts Holiday Dinner

Last week, Boston Celtic Paul Pierce hosted his 3rd Annual Holiday Dinner for single mothers. About 50 Boston area single mothers were selected by the Boston Salvation Army and were treated to live jazz from Tony Vaughn and the Rollins Ross Trio, and a dinner at the Boston Marriott Copley Place.

Presents were also distributed to every child that was in attendance and the mothers received special gifts from Saks Fifth Avenue. Lucky winners received additional gifts including jewelry donated by Alpha Omega; a gift basket donated by Crabtree and Evelyn; a necklace, bracelet and earring set donated by Landau Collection and a handbag donated by Louis Vuitton.

And everyone who was in the house got tickets to an upcoming Celtics game. Too bad Pierce is out with a bum leg for three weeks.

Deion Branch Promotes Vaccines

Seattle Seahawk Deion Branch has hooked up with the Meningitis Foundation of America to raise awareness about the importance of vaccines. When Deion’s son, Deiondre, contracted meningitis when he was just an infant, Branch began dedicating his time and energy towards raising awareness about meningitis and disease prevention through the MFA and the Deion Branch Foundation so other families won’t have to go through what he went through.

Branch has participated in recording some Public Service Announcements giving information on Meningitis and how to take care of it. You can view the PSA here (http://www.prnewswire.com/broadcast/23504/press.shtml).