I’ve been impressed with the way the basketball community has stepped up to help out with relief efforts. Talking with Utah Flash president Brandt Andersen on Monday, it was clear that his time in Haiti had affected him profoundly. During halftime of the Flash – Red Claws game the team raised more than $17,000, including donations from fans and businesses.

Here are two other amazing stories from the Andersen’s group in Haiti:

Haiti quake sends father on blessing-filled odyssey for daughter

Haiti binds a broken heart

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On the other side of the ledger of humanity, Tuesday’s Twitter talk was all about Greg Oden and Paul Shirley, for reasons related to the same word. It’s a noun for Oden, and an adjective for Shirley. I’m only linking to Shirley’s nonsense to make sure people never pay attention to him again. As I said elsewhere, it’s a case study in well-constructed self-destruction. Nice to see ESPN dump him as a contributor. Dave Zirin’s response said everything I’d hoped to say. Go read that and then come back.

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Here’s the press release regarding the relief efforts by the Flash Family Foundation:

UTAH FLASH RAISE $20,000 FOR HAITI

Flash Family Foundation will construct new orphanage outside Port-au-Prince

OREM, UT, Jan. 26, 2010 – Over the past four home games the Utah Flash has raised over $20,000 to help victims of the earthquake destruction in Haiti. During last night’s game each dollar donated from a Flash fan was matched by corporate partners Pinnacle Security, PMI and Hoopes Vision.

Every dollar raised will be used by the Flash Family Foundation to build a new orphanage on the outskirts of Port-au-Prince. During a recent trip to Haiti Flash owner Brandt Andersen and a relief crew found a remote orphanage that had been devastated by the earthquake.

Andersen discovered 50-plus orphans living in the front yard of their destroyed orphanage. They lacked a roof over their head, a place to sleep and running water. During his time in Haiti Andersen acquired a three-acre piece of property near the old orphanage site, and is working with an engineer on the design for a new housing facility.

“Traveling to Haiti did more for me than I was able to do for the Haitian community,” said Andersen. “You cannot see these people, and not want to help. These are beautiful people who will bounce back from this tragedy if we all reach out and help.”

The new facility will have dorms for the children, as well as bathrooms, classrooms, and a playground. Funding for the project will come from donations to the Flash Family Foundation by local partners, season ticket holders and The Flash Family Foundation.

A special donation was made to the project during last night’s Flash game by Check City. The $10,000 Check City donation will be an important piece for the Flash Family Foundation effort to immediately begin construction of the new dormitory for the orphanage. With matching by Pinnacle Security, PMI, and Hoopes Vision the Flash Family Foundation has raised over $20,000, every dollar of which will go directly to the construction of the orphanage.

Additional donations can be made to the Flash Family Foundation by calling 801-434-4667.

Boxscore

Playing against the Reno Bighorns for the second game in a row, the Utah Flash clawed out a win to snap a two-game losing streak. Luke Nevill got sneaky buckets and ended up with 22 points while Dontell Jefferson put up 17 with 9 assists. Desmon Farmer scored 18 and also took an elbow to the face that left him with a bloody nose.

Notes:

• In NBA trade rumor news, sitting courtside was Jazz assistant coach Scott Layden, who said he hadn’t even heard of the Ronnie Brewer to Memphis talk. So there’s that. Meanwhile, he was sitting next to Memphis scout and former Jazz coach Gordon Chiesa.
• Apparently the D-League’s shoe deal with Adidas means that to wear anything else, players must black out any other logos and have a note from a doctor. In the words the great @tuffyr, “To whom it may concern: My patient must wear Converse for his health. Signed, Dr. J.”
• By my count, more than half the players were wearing blacked-out Nikes.
• Bighorns coach (and former Jazz player) Jay Humphries was ejected late in the second half. He must have used some magic words because he was calm and smiling during the whole episode. Jazz fans remember Humphries as the other half of the Blue Edwards trade with Milwaukee.
• Gordon Chiesa has an encyclopedic memory. He rattled off the details of the Blue Edwards / Jay Humphries / Larry Krystkowiak like he had it written on a 3×5 card.

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nba.com recap:

OREM, UT, Jan. 22, 2010 – In the second of a back-to-back matchup with the Reno Bighorns, the Utah Flash hit free throws down the stretch to get the victory Friday night. The Flash had six different players score in double figures to get a 109-104 win.

Utah started the game jumping to a 10 point lead midway through the first quarter behind Luke Nevill’s 10 first quarter points. Mo Charlo led the way for the Bighorns with eight points but the team trailed 23-28 at the end of the first.

Reno started the second quarter on an 11-2 run and outscored the Flash by eight in the quarter to take a three point lead going into the half 44-47. The Flash shot just 39 percent from the field in the half and committed 14 turnovers. The Bighorns were led by Mo Charlo and his 14 points in the half.

Four minutes into the third quarter a Carlos Wheeler ally-oop dunk led a balanced Flash attack to take the momentum and a nine-point lead into the fourth. Wheeler had 11 points in the quarter as the Flash led 76-67 at the end of the third.

Reno’s head coach was ejected from the game with his second technical foul with 3:04 remaining to play in the game. Reno hung around in the fourth quarter looking to cut into the Flash lead with a 7-0 run with under two minutes to play. The Bighorn’s late rally cut the lead to four points on a Desmon Farmer three point basket. They couldn’t get any closer though as the teams exchanged free throws down the stretch and the Flash came away with the victory.

After losing two at home we needed to do whatever it takes to win the game whether it is pretty or ugly,” said head coach Brad Jones. “Tonight was an ugly win but all wins are pretty.”

The balanced Flash attack was led by Nevill’s 22 points and Dontell Jefferson’s 17 points and nine assists. Mo Charlo let the way for Reno with 20 points while Daryl Dorsey and Farmer scored 18 points apiece.

The Flash will stay at home to host Maine on Monday night at 7p.m. at the McKay Events Center.

You probably thought tonight’s game was Kobe in MSG against the Knicks, on the 4-year anniversary of his 81 point game, right? Well, yes, you’re right. But the other game tonight is the second half of a two game tilt between the Utah Flash and the Reno Bighorns. Reno snuck away with a five point win on a Wednesday, but the crowd was sparse because of the Jazz/Spurs ESPN game and the scorching cross-town BYU Cougars had a home game.

Tonight’s game is the only game in town, so it should be fun.

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On a Haiti relief effort note, Flash owner Brandt Andersen continues to blog from Port-au-Prince and it’s just crazy. Please continue to support the humanitarian effort of your choice. The following picture was taken by Andersen at an orphanage.