‘Obama Classic’: Magic Johnson, Paul Pierce to Play

Though Dwight Howard pulled out of the game, the roster for the big fundrasising exhibition continues to swell. From the WaPo: “President Barack Obama’s all-star campaign fundraising game picked up some more big name supporters on Tuesday, as NBA legend Magic Johnson and Paul Pierce were added to the roster of participants. Dwight Howard, though, withdrew from the game, which will be held Dec. 12 in the District, and has been replaced by none other than … Wizards restricted free agent and Senegalese center Hamady Ndiaye, according to the Obama campaign Web site. Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Chris Bosh, Blake Griffin, Amare Stoudemire and Wizards guard John Wall have committed to play and headline the game that will raise money for the Obama Victory Fund, which supports both the president’s 2012 reelection campaign and the Democratic National Committee. Tickets for the ‘Obama Classic’ range from $100 to $5,000 for courtside seats. A campaign spokesman said Obama’s participation in the event has yet to be determined and the location has not been released. The game will also feature former NBA stars, including Georgetown legends Patrick Ewing, Alonzo Mourning and Dikembe Mutombo. Other confirmed players are former Wizards Juwan Howard, Antawn Jamison and Jerry Stackhouse, as well as Ray Allen, Vince Carter, Tyson Chandler, Jamal Crawford, Baron Davis, Rudy Gay, Tyler Hansbrough, Dahntay Jones, Brandon Knight, Kevin Love, Jamal Mashburn, Cheryl Miller, Reggie Miller, Quentin Richardson, Doc Rivers, Steve Smith, Tina Thompson and Russell Westbrook.”