Marv Albert, the veteran NBA announcer for TNT, was a guest on the "Jimmy Kimmel Live" show. The musical star was rapper 50 Cent. As Albert arrived, with an entourage of one, TNT public relations specialist Jeff Pomeroy, there was a sudden scuffle when a multitude of 50 Cent protectors seemed unfamiliar with Albert. There was shouting ("It's Marv Albert," yelled a Kimmel show guard, a pronouncement that seemed to have no effect on the 50 Cent phalanx.) There were obscenities. A fist or two flying. A "Don't you put your hands on me" pronouncement. (Los Angeles Times) Comment

The relationship between the Bears and NBC is not strained because the team decided not to grant a request for prime-time interviews with Lovie Smith, Jay Cutler and general manager Jerry Angelo, Bears spokesman Scott Hagel said today. As first reported in the Chicago Sun-Times, Smith and any requested players, including Cutler, will be made available to NBC for standard pre-production meetings Friday with announcers Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth. But no Bears personnel will be on-camera with Bob Costas for NBC's pregame show. (Chicago Tribune) Comment

Mike D'Antoni fears the Knicks' roster might not be better than its horrible 2-9 start and is concerned a 20-win season would scare away LeBron James. At one point yesterday, D'Antoni referred to the Knicks as "dead in the water," but he quickly corrected himself. If Allen Iverson sparkles and warrants a new contract, he could turn into a lure for James. Leon Rose is the agent for both James and Iverson, who has the Knicks on top of his list. (New York Post) Comment