7UP prize not among NBA's best

Fans who have hit a half-court shot at NBA games this season have won cars (Kings), a truck (Trail Blazers), cash prizes of $20,000 (Thunder) and $10,000 (Mavericks) and -- wait for it -- a year's supply of 7UP (Hornets).

The latter prize, which was awarded to a fan at halftime of Game 3 of the Lakers-Hornets series in New Orleans, might be the worst in NBA promotion history -- especially considering a fan hit a half-court shot to win $235,000 during last year's Lakers-Thunder first-round playoff series.

By contrast, the fan who hit a layup, free throw, 3-pointer and half-court shot Friday didn't even get enough soda in his "year's supply of 7UP" to drink a can a day for a year.

Rather, he received coupons from the NBA-owned Hornets redeemable for two 12-packs of 7UP for 12 months, which amounts to 288 cans, or the cash equivalent of about $96.

It's safe to say the winning fan isn't "Feelin' 7UP," especially when it would've cost the soda company only $1,000 to insure against a $20,000 half-court shot prize.

One recent slogan for the lemon-lime soda was "Ridiculously Bubbly." More like ridiculously cheap.

A 7UP representative should've presented the fan with his prize while wearing a T-shirt distributed by the soda company a few years ago. The front of it featured the first part of the slogan, "Make Seven." The back was emblazoned with "Up Yours."

■ SHEEN BAILS OUT NAILS -- Former baseball star Lenny Dykstra was bailed out of jail this week by close friend Charlie Sheen, who paid $22,500 to free him.

Dykstra, who made more than $36 million in 13 seasons with the Mets and Phillies, filed for bankruptcy in 2009 and was arrested this month for allegedly embezzling more than $400,000 from his bankrupt estate.

"The rendition guilty trolls that kidnapped my dear friend 'Nails' clearly forgot that he's a fellow Vatican assassin and his best pal is a warlock," Sheen told TMZ.

Well, that clears things up. The actor obviously has pulled his life together and seen the light since his last "epic" drug binge.

How many drugs did Sheen take? Enough to kill "Two and a Half Men."

■ SHUTTLECOCK SHOCKER -- In an apparent effort to make the sport of badminton sexier, the Badminton World Federation has implemented a new rule requiring all female players to wear skirts in major tournaments "to ensure (the) attractive presentation of badminton."

We don't know what's more shocking, the controversial ruling or the fact there is a Badminton World Federation.

■ BEHIND THE GOATEE -- Dodgers manager Don Mattingly grew a goatee, against his wife's wishes, and vowed to keep it until his team stopped winning most of its games.

But then he suddenly shaved it, telling Los Angeles Times reporter Dylan Hernandez the actual reason he grew it was because he had a cold sore on the left side of his lip.

Rumor has it the former Yankees star also kept his mustache for most of his playing days because of a bothersome pimple below his nose.