It’s J. R., not Josh

From one Smith to another and another.

At first, it was reported that Joe Smith would visit Manila with Houston Rockets star Tracy McGrady and Portland Trail Blazers guard Sebastian Telfair to grace the Adidas Asian Streetball Finals in September.

Not correct, said Adidas sports marketing manager Goody Custodio. It’s Josh, not Joe, Smith who’s "flying" in. That’s the Smith who mesmerized NBA fans all over the world by capturing the Slam Dunk title at the All-Star Weekend in Denver last February.

But wait. About a week ago, I bumped into Goody who told me another Smith, neither Joe nor Josh, is coming. McGrady and Telfair, of course, are sure to arrive.

McGrady, in fact, chose Manila as a destination. He was here with Tim Thomas five years ago and liked his tour so much that he’s asked for a return trip. McGrady said as much when Chino Trinidad and I interviewed him during Solar Sports’ NBA All-Star Weekend coverage.

As for Telfair, Goody is excitedly awaiting his arrival. So am I. He’s a six-foot, 160-pound spitfire who turned only 20 last month. Telfair made such a splash as a high school star that a book, entitled "The Jump," was authored by Ian O’Connor to celebrate his leap to the pros. It’ll be a thrill to talk to Telfair and watch him operate on the court.

It’s the group’s third man who’s a mystery.

No, it’s not Will Smith who’s showing up.

Goody confirmed that New Orleans Hornets guard J. R. Smith is joining McGrady and Telfair here.

J. R., 19, is a 6-6, 220-pounder who averaged 10.3 points and 24.5 minutes in 76 games, including 56 starts, as an NBA rookie this past season. His single-game highs included 33 points, six rebounds, seven assists, four steals and three blocked shots. Not bad stats for a freshman and J. R. didn’t play a game of college ball.

What’s a mystery is why Earl Smith III is called J. R. There’s nothing in the New Orleans media guidebook that explains it. Demarco Williams, writing a feature on Smith in Slam Magazine, didn’t bother to wonder.

What isn’t a mystery is Smith’s awesome potential. In his first month as a pro, Smith averaged only 3.1 points and nine minutes. Then, slowly, he got the hang of things. In March, he hit at a 14.6 clip and the next month, 16.8. Too bad the Hornets weren’t tough enough to make it to the playoffs. They posted a forgettable 18-64 record, their worst in franchise history.

Smith, however, wasn’t too disappointed. He wove a positive spin to the awful performance.

"The season wasn’t too bad," he said. "We didn’t win many games but it was a good experience. I always wanted to play in the NBA. Coming out of high school and being one of the only guys to have done it, it was just really special for me."

Although he’s only entering his second season, Smith conjured visions of taking over the team.

"I’ve always tried to be a leader in my eyes and everybody else’s eyes," he continued. "I’m trying to make it better for the rest of the team so I have to be a leader. I put people in their position. When the tempo’s not going our way, I tell guys when we need good shots and when we need to start shooting threes and get to the foul line, certain things like that."

McGrady, Telfair and Smith–J. R., that is–are bound to make a lot of noise when they land here in September for Adidas. I can’t wait.

* * *

San Beda College’s Rogermar Menor is now in Beijing as the country’s lone representative in the 15-nation "Basketball Without Borders Asia" camp, organized by the National Basketball Association (NBA) and FIBA (Federation Internationale de Basketball).

Menor, 18, is rubbing elbows with NBA players Tony Parker, Samuel Dalembert, Kyle Korver, Bostjan Nachbar and Yao Ming in the first "Basketball Without Borders" program held in Asia. He is one of 50 19-and-under campers invited by the NBA and FIBA to attend the four-day event.

Last year, Johannesburg hosted the camp which branched out to Africa. Dalembert, a Haitian, enjoyed himself so much he volunteered to join the Asia camp and brought along Korver, his Philadelphia 76er teammate. Dikembe Mutombo was also in the Africa camp and donated $100,000 to upgrade the standards of a nearby school for poor children. The school has since been a beneficiary of generous NBA coaches, players and even Hollywood movie stars.

It’s no coincidence that more and more Africans are making their way to the NBA via the NCAA route. The latest African to crash the majors is the Chicago Bulls’ 6-8 forward Luol Deng of Sudan.

Parker, a French hero, offered to show up at the camp in Europe last year and in Beijing this year.

"Like all the other NBA players who volunteered to coach at the camp, Tony just wants to spread his love of the game," said NBA Asia media relations manager Marcus Chu. "He wants to share his experience with youngsters who have the potential to become outstanding basketball players."

Yao, who recently underwent successful arthroscopic surgery in the knee, conceptualized the idea of an "NBA Legacy Project" which in the Beijing camp, will mean improving the facilities of the Hui Lei School for children of migrant workers.

The Houston Rockets center will be joined by US Ambassador to China Clark Randt and the visiting NBA players and coaches in ceremonies to dedicate the project in the school tomorrow. The project includes building of a new Reading and Learning Center, consisting of a multi-media room and a library with 50 computers and over 2,500 books, a new basketball court and providing educational materials, clothing and basketball equipment.