THE OPENING LINE

Monday, Oct. 2, 2006 | 7:36 a.m.

Getting hoops back to its roots

Ian Naismith still carries around the original 13 rules of basketball envisioned by his grandfather, Dr. James J. Naismith, in a briefcase.

The briefcase is gold instead of black. And inside, instead of $5,000 in greenbacks to keep an orphanage going, there are just two yellowing double-spaced typewritten sheets of paper kept in clear page protectors. Otherwise, you might confuse Naismith for one of the Blues Brothers.

But unlike Jake and Elwood, he's not on a mission from God. A mission for granddad is more like it.

That explains why Naismith was in Las Vegas holding court during a sneak preview of "Basketball Man - Dr. James Naismith and the Rules of the Game," with basketball legends Oscar Robertson, Rick Barry, Moses Malone and Spencer Haywood in attendance at Mandalay Bay.

Naismith, 68, said the documentary, to be released on DVD in November, is the "greatest story never told." But in addition to celebrating his grandfather's life and vision, the DVD also will focus on those two sheets of rules he's trying to protect from the ravages of time.

Actually, Naismith said, it's the spirit of those rules, not the paper they were written on, that he's more worried about preserving.

"My grandfather said, 'Don't make money on the sport, just be a caretaker for the next generation,' " Naismith said about his inspiration for the project. "And I can't stand what's going on.

"You don't choke your coach, you don't shoot your chauffeur, you don't beat up the fans. We felt if we didn't step forward and say something, then how can we expect other people to say something?"

So he did step forward, and now others are saying something on his behalf. Oscar Robertson, Rick Barry, Bob Cousy, Carmelo Anthony, Moses Malone, Spud Webb, Steve Nash, Norm Nixon, Norm Van Lier, Sam Lacey, Marcus Haines, NBA Commissioner David Stern, coaching legend Red Auerbach the list of contributors is like seeing a wing of the Basketball Hall of Fame - the shrine that bears his grandfather's name - come alive for an all-time pickup game.

But it's not so much "Who's got next?" but what's next? Naismith's goal is to have the documentary converted into a full-length feature film, and he already knows whom he wants for the lead role. Actor Kevin Kline is almost a dead ringer for his grandfather.

Then it would just be a matter of finding a couple of empty peach baskets.

THIS WEEK'S BEST BET

Joel Casamayor vs. Diego Corrales III, 3:30 p.m. Saturday (first bell), Mandalay Bay Events Center.

Anytime you see the name of Las Vegas resident Corrales in the main event followed by a R oman numeral, it's usually something special.

TICKETS: $50-$300

ON THE WEB: www.ticketmaster.com

ALSO WORTH A LOOK

Power boat racing

Those thunderous powerboats drop into Lake Mead this weekend for the national championships of the Offshore Super Series and the Pacific Offshore Powerboat Racing Association. The organizers are calling it the "Burning Man" of offshore racing, which means parties but few amenities at Special Events Beach. The big boats are on the water starting Friday, but the big races start at noon Sunday.

TICKETS: Free, although there is a $5 charge for a weekly permit for entry into the national park

ON THE WEB: www.offshoresuperseries.com, and www.pacificoffshore.com

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