Tim Hardaway might find his current clouds have a financial silver lining.
Altovise Davis, widow of Sammy Davis Jr., and Clint Holmes stand Thursday beside a star designating the late singer's inclusion on the Las Vegas Walk of Stars during a ceremony at the Riviera's Le Bistro Theatre.
The NBA's fast-break from Tim Hardaway actually might spur a sales bonanza for local sports apparel merchants.
Jim Simonson, head of Front Row Sports, said Hardaway's banishment from the NBA All-Star Weekend by Commissioner David Stern for anti-gay remarks probably will create a run on Hardaway items.
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Simonson said collectors went into a buying frenzy when Kobe Bryant was accused of rape 3 1/2 years ago in Colorado "because they didn't know if he was ever going to play again."
Simonson, whose company owns six stores in the Las Vegas area, said league reps called early Friday to say Hardaway was being replaced by Hall of Famer George Gervin at tonight's autograph session at Fashion Show mall.
He's anticipating unprecedented sales from the NBA extravaganza. "From a retail perspective, we're anticipating this to be four to five times larger than Christmas. People are buying 15 to 20 T-shirts at a time, and we've already sold 21 of the $3,500 NBA special edition jackets."
SAMMY GETS HIS STAR
The Candy Man got his star on the street he helped make famous: Las Vegas Boulevard.
In an emotional tribute that featured an appearance by his widow, Sammy Davis Jr. was honored by the Las Vegas Walk of Stars during a ceremony at the Riviera's Le Bistro Theatre.
We learned that Davis' star in front of the Riviera soon will be joined by stars for fellow Rat Pack icons Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin.
Davis impersonator Luis Velez started Thursday's ceremony with "Mr. Bojangles," and Clint Holmes brought the house down at the end with "I Got to Be Me."
Davis' widow, Altovise Davis, told the crowd that she'll be forever grateful to Las Vegas for having the lights on the Strip dimmed on the day of his funeral in 1990.
Davis never headlined at the Riviera, but he often joined Sinatra and Martin on stage there during the Rat Pack years. The Riv was Martin's main headliner home for many years.
THE SCENE AND HEARD
Rumors were flying that Kevin Federline and Char Jackson, mother of two of his children, were reuniting here this weekend. Spies said the two were expected Thursday night at OPM nightclub (Forum Shops at Caesars). ...
Where's Beyonce Knowles? Rap mogul Jay-Z spent Valentine's Day without the companionship of his girlfriend. He had dinner Wednesday at Simon's Kitchen and Bar at the Hard Rock Hotel and was not seen with her Thursday at dinner at Nobu, the Asian eatery at the Hard Rock. There's been buzz that they have split. ...
Look for an announcement next week that "Baywatch" babe Carmen Electra is teaming up with Dutch illusionist Hans Klok for a major show at the Aladdin/Planet Hollywood. R-J entertainment reporter Mike Weatherford hinted a week ago that Klok had a show going in the resort's 7,000-seat concert hall. Electra announced a similar deal at the Aladdin back in early 2001, but the show never happened. ...
Thirty years ago this week: As Gov. Mike O'Callaghan was issuing a series of executive orders to battle a statewide energy crisis, Jerry Tarkanian's UNLV Rebels were on a lights-out run. The Rebels jumped to sixth in The Associated Press' college basketball poll after routing Denver 106-84 and dropping Louisville 99-96. They went on to the Final Four, losing to North Carolina. ...
An 80- by 150-foot tent has been erected on the Palms' west parking lot for tonight's T-Mobile NBA party featuring Will I. Am of the Black Eyed Peas, Ludacris and a surprise performer. The tent will accommodate 800 people.
A published report Thursday said ABC might be preparing to replace Jimmy Kimmel's show. Kimmel grew up in Las Vegas.
MAY I RECOMMEND ...
The family-oriented NBA All-Star Jam Session at Mandalay Bay includes the world's largest interactive basketball theme park. It might be the biggest bargain of the NBA weekend: $20 for adults, $12 for kids, kids 2 and under free.
SIGHTINGS
NBA legend Charles Barkley at the UNLV track Thursday, filming what appeared to be a documentary. ... San Diego Chargers All-Pro rusher LaDainian Tomlinson, lunching Thursday with "Sugar" Shane Mosley at rumjungle (Mandalay Bay). ... Reggie Miller, career NBA record holder for 3-pointers, at rumjungle Wednesday. ... John O'Hurley of "Dancing With the Stars," taking time off from "Monty Python's Spamalot" rehearsals Wednesday to celebrate Valentine's Day with his wife at Alex Restaurant (Wynn). ... NBA great Oscar Robertson, with his family Thursday at Picasso (Bellagio). ... Baseball slugger Frank Thomas, driving Thursday afternoon on Spring Mountain Road toward the Strip in a jet-black Bentley. ... Actor Tyrese, giving an impromptu performance Wednesday at OPM after his concert at the Rio. Also at OPM: Denver Nuggets guard Allen Iverson. ... Siegfried & Roy, dining Wednesday at Sedona restaurant in Summerlin. ... Former Guns N' Roses guitarist Slash, in the audience Wednesday at "Zumanity" (New York-New York). Later he met with members of the show's orchestra. ... At Social House (Treasure Island) on Wednesday: KISS frontman Gene Simmons, actress Kelly Hu, singer Blu Cantrell and elite bodybuilder Jay Cutler. Downstairs at Tangerine, Hu hosted the Marceau fashion show. ... Film star Dennis Hopper, at a Wednesday night screening of the hoops film "Hoosiers" at the Palms' Brenden Theatres. ... At Studio 54 (MGM Grand) on Wednesday night: NBA legends Julius "Dr. J" Erving, James Silas, Gervin and Clyde Drexler, grooving to the sounds of the O'Jays with original band member Walter Williams. THE PUNCH LINE
"The new Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue came out today. Some people are upset that Beyonce is on the cover because she has nothing to do with sports. What was Heidi Klum, power forward for the Atlanta Hawks?" -- Kimmel
Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com.
