Tone Def

YOU'D THINK the only thing worse than having your cellphone start ringing in the middle of an important meeting would be to have your cellphone start trash-talking you in the middle of an important meeting. But on the theory that fans like hearing NBA players talk smack, ad executive Jimmy Smith gathered some of the game's mouthiest men, past and present, to create ring tones, available on www.defjammobile.com. "Trash talk," says Smith, "brings fans closer to the sounds you would ordinarily only hear on the court."

For $2.99 you can choose from a group that includes Moses Malone, Andre Iguodala (above) or Baron Davis, plus streetball legends such as Pee Wee Kirkland. The key to a successful smack session, says Davis, is to be versatile: "You have to be funny and able to discredit the guy and hurt his feelings at the same time." Check it out.

? DAVIS, Hornets guard (below): "Yo, what's up, man, it's Baron Davis. You don't wanna talk trash to me. You give me a personal invitation on the court by talking trash to me, you better have your dancing shoes on ... 'cause when I come to dance, I love to tango."

? CHRIS PAUL, Hornets guard: "Yo, if you're in front of me, you better watch out! I'm comin' at you with the crossover, and if you're layin' it that way, I'm gonna re-rock you the other way."

? KIRKLAND: "This ... reverse crossover will have you scraping your face off the ground."

? COREY MAGGETTE, Clippers forward: "You don't wanna dunk me. I take your heart, I take your soul, I take your rock, and I take your girl!"