PHOENIX -- When Washington Bullets forward Juwan Howard got back to his locker, he found a check there -- his fee for appearing in last night's All-Star Rookie Game.
"What's this for?" Howard said, somewhat surprised.
The comment raised the eyebrows of Denver Nuggets guard Jalen Rose, sitting next to him.
"What's it for?" Rose said. "If you're asking what's it for, give it to me."
Howard earned his pay, as he scored 14 points and had team highs of seven rebounds and seven assists for the Green team. It didn't matter that the White team won, 83-79, in overtime. Howard was enjoying the star-studded weekend in Phoenix.
"I wish every rookie had a chance to come here and play," Howard said. "It's been enjoyable. The crowd wants to see exciting ball, and that's what it's all about."
Exciting might not be the proper word to describe the second annual rookie game. Neither team played any defense until the overtime session, which was won by the first team to score three points. For the record, Los Angeles Clippers forward Lamond Murray recorded the winning points with a dunk 49 seconds into the extra period.
Los Angeles Lakers forward Eddie Jones was voted the game's Most Valuable Player, scoring 25 points. Jones wasn't at all bashful, launching 20 shots in his 29 minutes.
"It's an honor being here," Jones said. Asked what it was like playing with Howard, Jones joked, "Juwan's a black hole."
Clearly it was Jones who was shooting for the MVP award, passing up open teammates to take shots late in the game.
Howard's Washington teammate, Anthony Tucker, was the only player not to score, missing all five of his shots in 16 minutes. Still, he was enjoying the weekend.
"It's been great so far," said Tucker, one of two undrafted players in the game. "I met a lot of people, a lot of important people. I've been like a big kid out there."
L Tucker not scoring could have had a lot to do with his role.
"My role playing with the Bullets is a lot different," said Tucker, one of two undrafted players in the game.
Like no defense?
"With the Bullets," Tucker said, laughing, "you play no defense and you come out."
The game provided Howard the opportunity to again play alongside former Michigan teammate Jalen Rose, who had 12 rebounds and six assists in 21 minutes.
"It's an honor to have played with Chris Webber again and now I'm playing alongside another Michigan teammate, Jalen Rose," Howard said. "I hope we can get all the Fab Five of Michigan back in the NBA. I'll be honest, we would win a lot of championships."
Howard was then reminded that the Fab Five never won a national championship in his three years at Michigan.
"A lot of Division I players don't even get the opportunity to get [to the title game]," Howard said. "Ask Eddie."
That got a laugh out of Jones, whose Temple team was eliminated by Michigan twice.
Howard was in the starting lineup for the Green team, matching up against Milwaukee Bucks forward Glenn Robinson at the start. Robinson scored 21 points to lead the White team.
"We just went out and played loose and had a lot of fun and that's what it's all about," Robinson said.