Maxx Wolfson

Tuesday August 28, 2001 |

Being from Los Angeles, I have grown accustomed to seeing celebrities and sports figures everywhere. I played basketball all summer with former NBA All-Star Gary Grant and R&B singer Brian McKnight. I have seen Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Nicolas Cage, Phil Jackson and other celebrities at various restaurants.

But who cares? These guys mean nothing to me.

I want to see our celebrities. You know - Tucson's famous people.

Take the other day for example. I was in my car driving home from UA football practice, bumping Wyclef with the windows down, singing "Guantanamera" at the top of my lungs.

I stopped at a red light, and none other than Lute Olson - Tucson's most prominent celebrity - pulled up right next to me.

I don't know Lute well, but from what I can tell about him, he isn't down with 'Clef. In fact, I'm pretty sure he doesn't know who the hell Wyclef is. Or what hip-hop is, for that matter.

So the second I realized it was him, I hurriedly turned my radio off and rolled up my windows in total embarrassment.

I think Lute was scared of me too, because he wouldn't make eye contact with me, even though I was clearly gawking.

Then another "celebrity" citing occurred last week when I was partying at my apartment building.

I saw the future of the New Jersey Nets - Richard Jefferson.

I dunno, maybe he got lost. I thought to myself, "Why would an NBA player want to hang out at a college party? This guy just signed a multi-million dollar contract!"

What, Richard? The NBA groupies aren't around in the off-season?

Either way, I was amazed at the watch he was 'flossin'. This thing had so much ice I could skate on it. Even my journalistic professionalism can't keep me away from taking an opportunity to make an ass of myself with Tucson's celebrities.

Last semester, I spotted the now-Golden State Warrior Gilbert Arenas at a party. Gil was strutting his stuff on the dance floor, doing his best to try to 'mack' the ladies. He seemed to be having a good time, or at least until I rudely went up to him and starting talking to him.

During this time, Gil was on a two-week boycott from speaking to any members of the media, a group in which he apparently includes the Wildcat.

I thought a different setting might allow me to get something out of him.

I was wrong. Alcohol will tell you to do bad things sometimes, and this was one of those times.

His wingman at the party - point guard Jason Gardner - quickly realized what I was up to and both of them walked away. I didn't care, though. I still got a picture of me with both of them. And a nasty hangover. And a really humiliating recollection.

If sports figures aren't the kind of celebrities you are looking for, then you're reading the wrong section of the newspaper - I suggest page 1, where the news runs.

But, if you're looking for a more varied variety of celebrity, Tucson does have something to offer you.

I heard that actor Greg Kinnear travels to Tucson once a month to go to - of all places - Casa Molina. He said they serve the best Mexican food in the country, hands down.

Actor David Spade also makes frequent visits to the Old Pueblo for some Mexican food. Other celebrities that call Tucson their home are singers Linda Ronstadt and Paul McCartney.

So freshmen, you might think Tucson's glitz and glamour pales in comparison to that of Hollywood, but you're wrong if you do.

If you don't believe me, why don't you ask Richard why he's still hanging around?