The stat sheet: opening the season - Brief Article

--3

Number of wins (against 22 losses) the Houston Rockets had last season without Steve Francis in the lineup.

--4

No family has had more brothers in pro basketball than the line of Joneses that suited up Caldwell (1973-90), Charles (1983-98), Major (1979-85), and Wil (1969-78). All four brothers attended Albany State in Georgia.

--2.2

Chucky Brown has played for more teams than any player in NBA history. For the record, in his 12 seasons, Brown has played for the Cleveland Cavaliers (1989-92 and 2000-01), Los Angeles Lakers (1991-92), New Jersey Nets (199293), Dallas Mavericks (1993-94), Rockets (1994-96), Phoenix Suns (1996-97), Milwaukee Bucks (1996-97), Atlanta Hawks (1997-98), Charlotte Hornets (1999-2000), San Antonio Spurs (19992000), Golden State Warriors (20004)1), and Sacramento Kings (20014)2).

--17

Laker Elmore Smith's 17 blocks vs. the Portland Trail Blazers on October 28, 1973 are the most in NBA history.

--18

John Stockton's 18 seasons with the Utah Jazz mark the longest stretch one player has ever had with one team--and he'll make it 19 on October 30 when the Jazz open their season vs. the New Orleans Hornets.

--3,338

Consecutive games broadcast by the Lakers' legendary announcer, Chick Hearn, between 1965 and 2001. The 85-year-old Hearn died August 5 after a fall in his home.

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