Entertainment industry turns out for NBAE championships
Official Adidas sneakers commemorating the 2008 All-Star game were among the freebies thrown out to the crowd at the NBA Entertainment League championship game. (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)
Actor Dean Cain, a player in the NBAE since its inception in 1999, cheers from the sideline as the leagues Nuggets and the Cavaliers battle it out for the title. (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)
Entertainment manager Jamil Hardwick, left, with the NBAE Knicks, and actor Trevor Penick of the leagues Bobcats were among the Hollywood players who turned out to watch the Nuggets win the season. (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)
Boyz n the Hood actor Morris Chestnut, holding his NBAE championship trophy, called winning the title the high point of his career and vowed to make it back-to-back championships next season. (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)
Semi-Pro actor Will Ferrell of the NBAE Cavaliers is double-teamed by Nuggets Sam Daly (No. 6) and Texas Battle (No. 10) while trying to make a shot during the league finals April 12. (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)
Actor Texas Battle (Final Destination 3 and Wrong Turn 2: Dead End) drives by Semi-Pro actor Josh Braaten during the NBAE finals at Crossroads School in Santa Monica. (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)
The NBA Entertainment League Nuggets, including from left, Sam Daly, Dave Brown, Morris Chestnut and Texas Battle, celebrate their 54-46 championship win over the Cavaliers. (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)
The Sacramento Kings break-dancing squad, including Marcus Ramos, center, performs a routine during a timeout in the NBA Entertainment League finals. (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)
The elite crowd (attendees must be invited by a player or the league) cheers as freebies from the NBA, including jerseys, foam fingers, sneakers and hats, are thrown into the stands. (Stefano Paltera / For The Times)