News and notes from Phoenix

McCain meets youth: Sen. John McCain met with 20 boys and girls selected by the NBA to the 2009 Junior NBA/WNBA national teams before the NBA All-Star Game. One of their first questions: who’s your favorite Phoenix Sun? “I love them all, but I have not seen anybody take control of a basketball game as consistently as Steve Nash does,” said the Phoenix Republican and former presidential candidate, who often attends games at U.S. Airways Center. “I’ve never seen anybody, when the game is on the line, to take control of a game and win the game, and obviously that’s what it’s all about. So he’s my favorite with the Suns. But I don’t think I’ve seen anybody with the talent of Amare Stoudemire.” McCain also praised Suns center Shaquille O’Neal for his efforts in law enforcement. The youths were chosen for their basketball, education and community achievements. McCain appeared with his wife, Cindy, and was introduced by Bob Lanier, a special assistant to commissioner David Stern. McCain stressed sportsmanship in a 10-minute question-and-answer session. “I went through a pretty tough game for a couple of years myself and didn’t win, but I’d also like to point out that the person who did win deserves the support of all Americans,” said McCain, who lost the presidential election to Barack Obama in November. “And I think that’s how we have to treat our opponents. We play as hard as we can, we work as hard as we can. We do everything that we can, but when the game is over, then show the respect and sportsmanship and support, in this case.”

Super Saturday: The dethroning of Superman drew super ratings for TNT. Saturday’s All-Star night coverage on the network earned the largest viewing audience in the 24-year history of the event, according to preliminary national ratings. The events drew more than 5.8 million viewers, up 12 percent from last year. The best previous year was in 2002, when there were 5.24 million total viewers. The 3.5 national rating was an increase of 11 percent from the 3.1 last year in New Orleans. The All-Star Saturday night events were highlighted by the slam dunk contest, when New York’s Nate Robinson, calling himself “Krypto-Nate,” beat 2008 champion Dwight Howard, who donned a Superman cape for the second straight year.

Shaq surprise: Trey James got to see Shaquille O’Neal on his 8th birthday. Better yet, he got a bigger surprise: The chance to see his father for the first time in two years. O’Neal competed against Air Force Sgt. Anthony James in a game of NBA LIVE 09 via webcam on Sunday from the All-Star Jam Session. James played from the USO Warrior center in Germany, where he is stationed now after 1 1/2 years in Iraq. EA Sports, maker of the video game, and the Pro vs. GI Joe organization teamed up to make the surprise video reunion happen. Trey James was flown from his home in Coco Beach, Fla., along with Anthony James’ sister, Janice Peters, to watch the competition along with 50 U.S. soldiers. Peters said the hope is that Anthony James will return home in May.

Associated Press