By JASON JONES, Sacramento Bee

Nervous? Of course he was.

Jimmer Fredette is nervous before every game.

Yes, even a preseason game.

Once the game started against the Golden State Warriors, the Kings' highly touted rookie looked comfortable in his unofficial NBA debut, scoring 21 points in a 107-96 loss in Oakland Saturday.

Chuck Hayes doesn't fit the description of an endurance athlete.

Hayes, 6-foot-6 and 238 pounds, with legs he says are suited for a "defensive lineman," looks more like someone who could be a force in the trenches for a football team.

John Wall's home debut for the Washington Wizards was unique.

Rather than the usual high-fives during pregame introductions, Wall decided to show he was up on the popular dance craze by doing the "Dougie." That didn't surprise Sacramento Kings rookie DeMarcus Cousins.

It might be safe to anoint John Wall the 2010-11 NBA Rookie of the Year right now.

Why? Not because he's considered the consensus top pick in this year's NBA draft.

Sometimes being really tall and talented is what matters most.

Kentucky freshman Daniel Orton scored in double figures twice in 38 games. Not once did he grab 10 rebounds in a game. Orton averaged 3.4 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13.2 minutes.

What does that make him? A likely first-round pick in Thursday's NBA draft.

MIAMI - After some dreary weather, the sun was out at Sun Life Stadium.

The grass was being dressed up for the Pro Bowl. The sidelines received a coat of white paint.

The end zones had been painted red and white (AFC) and blue and white (NFC). The inside of the venue was plastered with Pro Bowl signage, as was the outside of Sun Life Stadium.

Just because the game has ended and the team has boarded a flight doesn't mean the rush of competition has died down.

Instead of jockeying for position on the basketball court, players often put their competitive energy into card games.

Regardless of what play is called, Sacramento Kings guard Tyreke Evans said he'd take everything in stride.

If coach Paul Westphal calls on him to try to win a game with the ball in his hands, fine.

If a play is designed for a teammate, that's fine with Evans, too.

One of the most endearing qualities about Oakland Raiders coach Tom Cable is his optimism.
After all, Cable talks about the Raiders having a chance to win a Super Bowl despite six consecutive seasons of 11 losses or more.

The Oakland Raiders are worth $861 million, 31st amongst 32 NFL teams, according to figures compiled by Forbes Magazine last September.
But that doesn't mean the Raiders are looking to sell a portion of the franchise or move the team back to Los Angeles, team officials said Monday.