Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban basically said if the Jeremy Lin story was happening in Charlotte, no one would know about it. This, from a story on ESPN.com.

The entire sports world has been captivated by the Lin phenomenon. Mark Cuban, the owner of the Dallas Mavericks -- who visit the Knicks Sunday -- said that the story is good for the league because it comes in the nation's biggest media market.

"If it was happening in Charlotte, no one would know," Cuban said, exaggerating for effect.

He wasn't exaggerating for effect. He was talking trash about Charlotte. Only Raleigh can talk trash about Charlotte. I've been to Dallas. Nothing special, Mr. Cuban.

Two celebrities on the business-speaker circuit will visit the Triangle next week to offer advice to entrepreneurs on how to build a business in a tough economy.

On Tuesday morning, Warren Brown, former host of "Sugar Rush" on Food Network and founder of the CakeLove chain of bakeries, will speak at N.C. State's McKimmon Conference center in Raleigh on "Are you ready for the rebound?"

It's free, but registration is required. To reserve a seat or for more information, click here.

On Thursday morning, dot-com billionaire and outspoken owner of the Dallas Mavericks NBA team Mark Cuban will speak at the American Tobacco Campus in Durham. That one costs $50 but includes lunch. Register here.

A panel discussion on entrepreneurship and venture capital also will include local executives Aaron Houghton, chairman and co-founder of Durham's iContact; Rich Lee, CEO of Hosted Solutions; and Mitch Mumma, general partner at Intersouth Partners.