ALL-STAR ROUNDUP News and notes

Still in love: Bill Russell is such a fan of the NBA that he sometimes watches as many as five games a day. The 72-year-old, who is one of the 50 greatest players in league history, loves the way the game has evolved. "I really enjoy these young guys because the good players work very very hard with intelligence and soul," he said Saturday. "That's what I call it." Aside from the players, Russell said the leadership of the league is top-notch. "I think that David Stern is probably the greatest commissioner that any sport has ever had in the history of this country," Russell said. Bill Walton, also one of the top 50, is delighted with the direction of the league. "I love this game," Walton said. "This game is better than ever. And to see the growth, the explosion, to see the popularity, what could be better. The game is on fire."
Reading time: Students at Houston's McDade Elementary got a snazzy updated library and new technology lab thanks to the NBA. But even better, some were treated to story time by some current and former NBA stars on Saturday. All-Stars Tracy McGrady and Shaquille O'Neal attended the NBA Cares event, as well as former players including Clyde Drexler, Bill Russell, Bill Walton and Moses Malone. McGrady, Walton and former Knicks standout Allan Houston read to the younger children while older students tried out new laptop computers.
Successful Steve: Magic Johnson has a simple explanation for why last year's MVP Steve Nash is having what is perhaps his best season yet. Phoenix leads its division despite the absence of teammate Amare Stoudemire, who's recovering from knee surgery. "He's shown everybody that it was no fluke that he won the MVP," Johnson said. "He's probably having a better year this year because of the fact that Amare is not there and they're still in first place and they still have one of the top records in the NBA. He's the one that makes that engine go. He's the one who has taken guys who have had marginal years with other teams and made them have great years right now this season with the Phoenix Suns."
Associated Press