NBA finally takes aim at funny bone

The minor leagues might no longer have the market cornered for quirky promotions. A couple of NBA teams actually displayed a sense of humor this week.

Actor Will Ferrell introduced the starting lineups in amusing fashion before Wednesday's Hornets-Bulls game at New Orleans, and the Memphis Grizzlies gave fans gloriously cheesy Valentine's Day cards before Friday's game against the Indiana Pacers.

During " '80s night" in New Orleans, Ferrell revealed interesting tidbits about each player he introduced: "At forward, No. 5, he still lives with his mother, Carlos Boozer.

"He collects rare birds and has a pet dolphin named Chachi, Luol Deng. ... He's a Scorpio and a horrible dancer, Joakim Noah. ... He once ate 20 hot dogs in an hour, Ronnie Brewer. ... His favorite movie is "The Notebook," Derrick Rose. ... At center, 6-10, from Connecticut, where he majored in econ but he minored in love, Emeka Okafor."

The Grizzlies created cards featuring several players -- each one wore a red turtleneck and black sports jacket -- alongside a heart bearing a pickup line that possibly could work only for an NBA player.

Rudy Gay's card read, "Love is in the air. I know because I spend a lot of time up there."

From Tony Allen: "You must be known for your defense, because you definitely stole my heart."

Mike Conley: "I would foul out of the game just to be with you."

Marc Gasol: "Shhh. You had me at tipoff."

O.J. Mayo: "Although it's my favorite move on the court, our love will never fade away."

■ NEW MILWAUKEE -- Did you see Ferrell's commercial for Old Milwaukee during the Super Bowl? Neither did we. The ad was broadcast only in North Platte, Neb., the nation's second-smallest TV market.

Ferrell has taped a series of funny, low-budget 30-second spots for the beer, but the ads have run only in North Platte; Terre Haute, Ind.; and Davenport, Iowa.

According to the Huffington Post, Ferrell approached Pabst Brewing Co. in September with the offer to do a series of humorous commercials for their Old Milwaukee beer, free of charge.

"The Old Milwaukee campaign featuring Will Ferrell, as a whole, is about paying homage to great Old Milwaukee towns," billionaire Pabst Brewing owners Daren and Evan Metropoulos said in a statement. "North Platte, Neb., is just another one of those towns, and what goes better with football than Old Milwaukee beer?"

Well, um, we can think of thousands of things that go better with it. But the Ferrell commercials are classic. Check them out on YouTube.

■ GISELE YOUKILIS -- Boston third baseman Kevin Youkilis is engaged to marry Tom Brady's sister, according to a Red Sox team source.

When told other teams had "owned" Youkilis last season, when he batted a career-low .258 and committed a career-high nine errors, rumor has it Julie Brady bristled, "My fiance cannot hit the ball and catch the ball at the same time."

COMPILED BY TODD DEWEY
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL