Hill brings magic back to the NBA: tired of all the negativity surrounding pro basketball? Hard to blame you. Let's see if the no-quit tale of one good guy can spread a little NBA cheer.(NBA)

The day after the colossal mess into which his team landed in Detroit, Pacers coach Rick Carlisle paused to say something most in attendance tolerated impatiently. Indiana was preparing to face Orlando, and Carlisle said unproved, "It will be good to see Grant Hill. To me, he is an important athlete. He is a great guy, and to see him out there, it's great."

Back at The Palace, Pistons president Joe Dumars took a break from the all-brawl, all-the-time circuit to say, "I'm happy for Grant. He's a great player and represents this league the way it should be represented."

And in New York last week, hours after David Stern announced the harshest suspensions ...