Nothing humbles a guy faster than seeing Walt Frazier in person. No matter how cool you think you may be, you will pale in comparison to "Clyde" and his sideburns. Guaranteed.

In that spirit, the diva factor was in full effect Wednesday night as Clyde's Knicks were in town to face the Pistons. Out of the corner of my eye I catch a vision of Bob Marley -- actually a dreadlocked Desmond Howard, who is the second most important Heisman trophy winner in the house tonight -- here to give props to Charlie Ward. On opening night everyone looks good -- even the reporters. There were interns in knock-off designer jackets and groupies reeking of cheap perfume and seeking attention.

NBA action ... it's FANtastic.

Meanwhile, Pepe Sanchez, the Pistons' new guard -- acquired in the offseason from Philly -- was all dressed up with no place to go. A problem with his Argentine visa means the 6'4" guard from Temple was late to camp, and when you're late to camp you watch the opening game in civvies.

"I don't even have a house yet man, I'm living out of a hotel room," says Sanchez while his teammates banter and bounce around him. He takes a swig of juice and stares off into space for a moment.

"I've only been here 13 days. I barely know the playbook ... and you play every night in this league so it's tough to get reps."

Sanchez grabs a sports drink and tries to fit in. "But I like it here, I really do. I spent five years in Philly ... it's different there."

Just then Tommy "The Hit Man" Hearns walks in, decked out in a three-piece suit and the joy of NBA celebrity. Maybe one day Sanchez will feel the same.

Ted Kluck is a frequent contributor to ESPN The Magazine.