Who would win an all-star game between preps-to-pros and those who stayed four seasons in college? It's not as easy a pick as you might think. Remember that Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Kevin Garnett, Rashard Lewis and Jermaine O'Neal all skipped college. The stay-in-school team comprises Gary Payton, Wally Szczerbiak, Keith Van Horn, Tim Duncan and Alonzo Mourning. Actually, that team would probably be schooled by the young guns....

The Mavericks are 12-1 this season without Michael Finley, who signed a $121 million contract last summer. Dallas probably won't become a championship contender without a big man. Add it up. ...

The Nets have actually dropped in attendance to remain one of the league's worst-watched clubs despite being the most surprising team in the NBA. ...

NBC televises its last NBA All-Star Game tonight after being involved for 12 seasons. The NBA has signed a new deal worth $4.6 billion over six years with ABC, ESPN and TNT. NBC offered $325 million per year, which was $75 million annually less than ESPN's offer. ...

Because of the Olympics, Utah won't play another home game at the Delta Center until Feb. 26. That's 25 days between home games. Can you hear Karl Malone whining? Don't feel too sorry. The Jazz was helped by having six days off during the All-Star break. ...

The National Basketball Developmental League has a female assistant coach. And now, the NBA has its first female assistant, Lisa Boyers, although she's a volunteer. Boyers ? an assistant coach for the WNBA's Cleveland Rockers ? works home practices and games for the Cavaliers. Before this season, Boyers had 19 years experience coaching basketball ? all in women's leagues. ...

Three of the five first-time All-Stars on the West team are from another country: Steve Nash (Canada), Dirk Nowitzki (Germany) and Peja Stojakovic (Yugoslavia). They were part of a record five foreign players who made the All-Star squad. The other two are Tim Duncan (Virgin Islands) and Dikembe Mutombo (Congo).