The Washington Wizards bought out the contract of center Zydrunas Ilgauskas(notes) and waived him, the team announced on Thursday.
The 7-foot-3 Ilgauskas, who was acquired from Cleveland on Feb. 17 as part of the three-team trade that sent Antawn Jamison(notes) to the Cavaliers, didn’t play for Washington. He reported on Feb. 19, took a physical and immediately returned to Cleveland.
The 34-year-old is averaging 7.5 points and 5.3 rebounds this season.
“We agreed to terms with Zydrunas on a contract buyout, giving us further financial flexibility and allowing our young big men to continue to develop over the remainder of the season,” Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld said.
No team is far enough under the salary cap to absorb Ilgauskas’ $11.5 million salary for this season, so he will become a free agent eligible to join any team for a prorated share of the veteran’s minimum. He would be able to rejoin the Cavaliers in 30 days, but could sign with another team immediately.
“I’m expecting to talk to about half a dozen teams in the league— including the Cavaliers,” Herb Rudoy, Ilgauskas’ agent said.
“He’s not going to rush into anything. He has time,” Rudoy said. “He’ll let me know what he wants to do.”
Though he lost his starting job this season after the Cavs acquired Shaquille O’Neal(notes), a return to the Cavs could be attractive for Ilgauskas. He’s spent his entire career in Cleveland after he was drafted in 1996, and the Cavaliers are one of the favorites to win the NBA championship this season.
Over his 12-year career, Ilgauskas has averaged 13.9 points and 7.7 rebounds.
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Source: Mavericks pass on 6-11 Dwayne Jones, will sign guard Von Wafer
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Guard Von Wafer will sign a 10-day contract today, but the Mavericks decided not to tender 6-11 Dwayne Jones a contract after he worked out for them Tuesday, a league source said.
Jones has been playing in the NBDL at Austin and the Mavericks apparently will look elsewhere for help in the middle. Jake Voskuhl, who was with the team in training camp, is a possibility.
But the Mavericks may wait until the dust settles over the next week as several players are expected to be waived or bought out of their contracts.
One reason the Mavericks need them is for practices. They were down to nine available players Tuesday when Matt Carroll was excused to be with wife Melanie for the birth of their second child, Charlotte Grace. Carroll is expected back with the team today.
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Jones has been playing in the NBDL at Austin and the Mavericks apparently will look elsewhere for help in the middle. Jake Voskuhl, who was with the team in training camp, is a possibility.
But the Mavericks may wait until the dust settles over the next week as several players are expected to be waived or bought out of their contracts.
One reason the Mavericks need them is for practices. They were down to nine available players Tuesday when Matt Carroll was excused to be with wife Melanie for the birth of their second child, Charlotte Grace. Carroll is expected back with the team today.
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NBA Won't Block Ilgauskas Return To Cleveland
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An official within the league told The Associated Press on Monday the NBA has not threatened to stop a potential reunion between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
The Los Angeles Times quoted an unnamed source Sunday saying the NBA had told other teams it wouldn't let Ilgauskas go back to the Cavs. However, the official told the AP the league would only step in if there was proof of an agreement before the trade was completed.
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The Los Angeles Times quoted an unnamed source Sunday saying the NBA had told other teams it wouldn't let Ilgauskas go back to the Cavs. However, the official told the AP the league would only step in if there was proof of an agreement before the trade was completed.
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Howard powers Magic to 101-95 win over Cavs
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Dwight Howard sat on a chair in front of his locker and plopped his son, Braylon, onto his lap. The 2-year-old was wearing a blue shirt with the Superman emblem stamped on the chest.
Statement? Hardly. The big man did that on the court.
Howard had 22 points and 16 rebounds in a bruising battle with Shaquille O’Neal, and the Orlando Magic beat Cleveland 101-95 on Sunday for the Cavaliers’ first three-game losing streak in two years.
“He’s a big load,” Howard said of O’Neal, who had taken offense recently to Howard being called Superman. “You just got to get in there and fight him. You got to get out there and wrestle with him. You got to make him work.”
Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal, left, complains to the referee while being defended by Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010. The Magic won 101-95.
They both did plenty of that.
Howard was 8-for-13 shooting and added four blocks, and Vince Carter had eight of his 11 points in the fourth quarter to help the Magic beat Cleveland for the first time this season.
O’Neal made his first eight shots and finished with 20 points, and LeBron James had 33 points and nine rebounds for the Cavaliers, who were eliminated by Orlando in last year’s Eastern Conference finals.
“Dwight is one of the only true big men left. I’m sure he doesn’t mind a little bit of physicality,” said O’Neal, who avoided any verbal jabs at Howard after this one. “I darn sure don’t mind it. Two big, strong guys. Old ball, young ball going at it. Fun game to watch.”
Stayed tuned. Might be plenty more matchups this season.
Although the Cavaliers’ losing skid - all since acquiring Antawn Jamison from Washington - comes on the heels of a 13-game winning streak, they still lead Orlando by five games. And with the Magic starting to play their best basketball, a conference finals rematch might be in store.
“We play the way we’re playing, they play the way they’re playing, we’ll eventually meet,” Howard said.
The hoopla surrounding the Howard-Shaq squabble over the Superman nickname finally lived up to the billing, and for a February game it sure felt like June.
Carter made a two-handed dunk over heavy traffic, and followed that with a layup over Jamison, pumping his fist to the crowd in celebration. Jameer Nelsoncame back with a 3-pointer to put the Magic ahead 96-88 with about 2 minutes left.
O’Neal tipped in a missed shot, and Anthony Parker made a 3-pointer to trim the deficit to three. But after James missed a 3-pointer on Cleveland’s next possession, Rashard Lewis made a 3 - from the same spot where he sent the Game 6 clincher into overtime last year - with 20.1 seconds remaining to seal the Magic’s win.
Jamison, acquired from Washington earlier this week, had 19 points - after starting his Cleveland career 0 for 12 - but still doesn’t know what it feels like to win with his new team.
“I think Antawn is really going to benefit us, we are just going through a little transition period right now trying to figure out lineups and figuring out certain sets,” James said.
Until the last few minutes, though, it was Superman vs. Superman.
O’Neal has been known as the comic book superhero for most of his 17-year NBA career, and he had taken exception with Howard getting the same nickname. It didn’t help that Howard has erased much of O’Neal’s shadow in Orlando - where he spent four years in the mid-90s - and has restored the Magic to prominence.
“I am not concerned with that,” said O’Neal, who has called Howard an “impostor” among other things. “When I am done playing, I will have four, five or six (titles). I am not concerned with useless titles.”
He’ll also be remembered for putting on quite a show.
O’Neal grabbed a rebound and caught Howard under the basket, hammering a powerful one-handed dunk over the young center in the opening quarter. Shaq added a put-back dunk, an alley-oop tip and a three-point play over Howard all before the half.
At the other end of the floor, Howard used his youth and agility to wiggle around O’Neal almost at will, slicing through the paint for layups and hook shots and making the elder center sprint down the court. Howard also banked a jumpshot from the wing and his defensive presence helped Orlando go ahead 46-35 late in the second quarter.
“I don’t think he smiled tonight so that should make everybody happy,” said Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, referring to how some perceive Howard as a happy-go-luck center. “He’s playing as well as anybody in the league.”
And suddenly, so are the Magic.
“Sometimes people do forget that we’re the defending Eastern Conference champions,” Lewis said. “That’s OK. We just got to keep playing hard, because we know we might see them again.”
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Statement? Hardly. The big man did that on the court.
Howard had 22 points and 16 rebounds in a bruising battle with Shaquille O’Neal, and the Orlando Magic beat Cleveland 101-95 on Sunday for the Cavaliers’ first three-game losing streak in two years.
“He’s a big load,” Howard said of O’Neal, who had taken offense recently to Howard being called Superman. “You just got to get in there and fight him. You got to get out there and wrestle with him. You got to make him work.”
Cleveland Cavaliers center Shaquille O'Neal, left, complains to the referee while being defended by Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Orlando, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 21, 2010. The Magic won 101-95.
They both did plenty of that.
Howard was 8-for-13 shooting and added four blocks, and Vince Carter had eight of his 11 points in the fourth quarter to help the Magic beat Cleveland for the first time this season.
O’Neal made his first eight shots and finished with 20 points, and LeBron James had 33 points and nine rebounds for the Cavaliers, who were eliminated by Orlando in last year’s Eastern Conference finals.
“Dwight is one of the only true big men left. I’m sure he doesn’t mind a little bit of physicality,” said O’Neal, who avoided any verbal jabs at Howard after this one. “I darn sure don’t mind it. Two big, strong guys. Old ball, young ball going at it. Fun game to watch.”
Stayed tuned. Might be plenty more matchups this season.
Although the Cavaliers’ losing skid - all since acquiring Antawn Jamison from Washington - comes on the heels of a 13-game winning streak, they still lead Orlando by five games. And with the Magic starting to play their best basketball, a conference finals rematch might be in store.
“We play the way we’re playing, they play the way they’re playing, we’ll eventually meet,” Howard said.
The hoopla surrounding the Howard-Shaq squabble over the Superman nickname finally lived up to the billing, and for a February game it sure felt like June.
Carter made a two-handed dunk over heavy traffic, and followed that with a layup over Jamison, pumping his fist to the crowd in celebration. Jameer Nelsoncame back with a 3-pointer to put the Magic ahead 96-88 with about 2 minutes left.
O’Neal tipped in a missed shot, and Anthony Parker made a 3-pointer to trim the deficit to three. But after James missed a 3-pointer on Cleveland’s next possession, Rashard Lewis made a 3 - from the same spot where he sent the Game 6 clincher into overtime last year - with 20.1 seconds remaining to seal the Magic’s win.
Jamison, acquired from Washington earlier this week, had 19 points - after starting his Cleveland career 0 for 12 - but still doesn’t know what it feels like to win with his new team.
“I think Antawn is really going to benefit us, we are just going through a little transition period right now trying to figure out lineups and figuring out certain sets,” James said.
Until the last few minutes, though, it was Superman vs. Superman.
O’Neal has been known as the comic book superhero for most of his 17-year NBA career, and he had taken exception with Howard getting the same nickname. It didn’t help that Howard has erased much of O’Neal’s shadow in Orlando - where he spent four years in the mid-90s - and has restored the Magic to prominence.
“I am not concerned with that,” said O’Neal, who has called Howard an “impostor” among other things. “When I am done playing, I will have four, five or six (titles). I am not concerned with useless titles.”
He’ll also be remembered for putting on quite a show.
O’Neal grabbed a rebound and caught Howard under the basket, hammering a powerful one-handed dunk over the young center in the opening quarter. Shaq added a put-back dunk, an alley-oop tip and a three-point play over Howard all before the half.
At the other end of the floor, Howard used his youth and agility to wiggle around O’Neal almost at will, slicing through the paint for layups and hook shots and making the elder center sprint down the court. Howard also banked a jumpshot from the wing and his defensive presence helped Orlando go ahead 46-35 late in the second quarter.
“I don’t think he smiled tonight so that should make everybody happy,” said Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, referring to how some perceive Howard as a happy-go-luck center. “He’s playing as well as anybody in the league.”
And suddenly, so are the Magic.
“Sometimes people do forget that we’re the defending Eastern Conference champions,” Lewis said. “That’s OK. We just got to keep playing hard, because we know we might see them again.”
Source yahoosports
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McGrady era over in Houston
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HOUSTON (AP)—The Tracy McGrady era is over in Houston.
The New York Knicks acquired McGrady and his massive expiring contract in a three-team swap with the Houston Rockets and the Sacramento Kings, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said Thursday. The person requested anonymity because the deal had not been officially announced.
The Rockets will get Kevin Martin and Hilton Armstrong from Sacramento and Jordan Hill, Jared Jeffries and draft considerations in 2011 and 2012 from New York.
Most important, the Rockets finally found a taker for McGrady, the troublesome seven-time All-Star they’ve been looking to trade for almost two months.
The Rockets acquired McGrady in June 2004, hoping that he and Yao Ming would return the franchise to prominence. He averaged 22.4 points and 5.7 assists in five seasons in Houston before this one, but he was always blamed—sometimes unfairly—for the team’s string of playoff busts.
In December, when it became clear he was no longer part of the team’s plans, McGrady’s representatives asked the Rockets to look for trade options and Houston agreed. McGrady offered no ill will in a statement posted on his personal Web site on Thursday.
“I have tremendous respect for (owner) Leslie Alexander and have enjoyed playing for the Rockets over the last six years,” McGrady wrote. “It has definitely been the most profound part of my career. I’ve learned a lot about myself from various situations, both good and bad that have occurred here. It was my hope when I came to Houston that I wouldn’t leave, but I do understand this is the business side of basketball.”
The Kings will get New York guard Larry Hughes and Houston forwards Carl Landry and Joey Dorsey. Hughes has a much-valued expiring contract and Landry is Houston’s second-leading scorer (16.1 points) and third-leading rebounder (5.5 per game).
The Knicks will also get guard Sergio Rodriguez from the Kings, though the lure of the deal was McGrady and his expiring $23 million contract. New York is eager to drop its payroll and become a major player in this summer’s free-agent sweepstakes.
Martin is the Kings’ second-leading scorer (19.8 points per game) after missing two months of the early part of the season with a broken left wrist. He will be reunited with Houston coach Rick Adelman, for whom he played two seasons in Sacramento from 2004-06, and he adds some much needed perimeter shooting to the Rockets’ lineup.
The 6-foot-10 Hill should slide into Landry’s role, bringing energy and rebounding off the bench. The downside for Houston is absorbing Jeffries’ contract, which will pay him about $6.9 million next season.
The most uncertain part of the deal is McGrady, who will turn 31 in May and has played in only 107 games over the last three seasons because of injuries.
McGrady’s health started becoming a persistent issue in 2005-06, when he missed 34 games with back injuries that lingered into the following season. He hurt his elbow and his knee early in the 2007-08 season and missed 16 games. He was in and out of the lineup during the 2008-09 campaign and finally opted for season-ending microfracture surgery on the knee around the All-Star break.
McGrady, a two-time scoring champion when he played for Orlando, couldn’t convince the Rockets this year that he could return to his old form after the surgery. He played a total of 46 minutes in only six games before becoming dissatisfied with his role.
source YahooSports
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The New York Knicks acquired McGrady and his massive expiring contract in a three-team swap with the Houston Rockets and the Sacramento Kings, a person with knowledge of the negotiations said Thursday. The person requested anonymity because the deal had not been officially announced.
The Rockets will get Kevin Martin and Hilton Armstrong from Sacramento and Jordan Hill, Jared Jeffries and draft considerations in 2011 and 2012 from New York.
Most important, the Rockets finally found a taker for McGrady, the troublesome seven-time All-Star they’ve been looking to trade for almost two months.
The Rockets acquired McGrady in June 2004, hoping that he and Yao Ming would return the franchise to prominence. He averaged 22.4 points and 5.7 assists in five seasons in Houston before this one, but he was always blamed—sometimes unfairly—for the team’s string of playoff busts.
In December, when it became clear he was no longer part of the team’s plans, McGrady’s representatives asked the Rockets to look for trade options and Houston agreed. McGrady offered no ill will in a statement posted on his personal Web site on Thursday.
“I have tremendous respect for (owner) Leslie Alexander and have enjoyed playing for the Rockets over the last six years,” McGrady wrote. “It has definitely been the most profound part of my career. I’ve learned a lot about myself from various situations, both good and bad that have occurred here. It was my hope when I came to Houston that I wouldn’t leave, but I do understand this is the business side of basketball.”
The Kings will get New York guard Larry Hughes and Houston forwards Carl Landry and Joey Dorsey. Hughes has a much-valued expiring contract and Landry is Houston’s second-leading scorer (16.1 points) and third-leading rebounder (5.5 per game).
The Knicks will also get guard Sergio Rodriguez from the Kings, though the lure of the deal was McGrady and his expiring $23 million contract. New York is eager to drop its payroll and become a major player in this summer’s free-agent sweepstakes.
Martin is the Kings’ second-leading scorer (19.8 points per game) after missing two months of the early part of the season with a broken left wrist. He will be reunited with Houston coach Rick Adelman, for whom he played two seasons in Sacramento from 2004-06, and he adds some much needed perimeter shooting to the Rockets’ lineup.
The 6-foot-10 Hill should slide into Landry’s role, bringing energy and rebounding off the bench. The downside for Houston is absorbing Jeffries’ contract, which will pay him about $6.9 million next season.
The most uncertain part of the deal is McGrady, who will turn 31 in May and has played in only 107 games over the last three seasons because of injuries.
McGrady’s health started becoming a persistent issue in 2005-06, when he missed 34 games with back injuries that lingered into the following season. He hurt his elbow and his knee early in the 2007-08 season and missed 16 games. He was in and out of the lineup during the 2008-09 campaign and finally opted for season-ending microfracture surgery on the knee around the All-Star break.
McGrady, a two-time scoring champion when he played for Orlando, couldn’t convince the Rockets this year that he could return to his old form after the surgery. He played a total of 46 minutes in only six games before becoming dissatisfied with his role.
source YahooSports
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Wizards' Antawn Jamison lands to Cavs
The Cavs decided to to acquire Jamison after Phoenix Suns didn't accepted their offer for Amar’e Stoudemire trade, which will involved Ilgauskas, J.J. Hickson, Danny Green and a first-round pick. Suns find the offer wasn’t good enough.
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Camby headed to Blazers; Blake, Outlaw to Clippers
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PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)—In need of help in the middle, the Portland Trail Blazers acquired Marcus Camby to fill the void left by injuries to Greg Odenand Joel Przybilla.
Portland sent guard Steve Blake and forward Travis Outlaw to the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday for Camby, a 14-year veteran who is second in the league in rebounding and sixth in blocked shots.
“I think it’s a great situation for myself. It’s a first-class organization that really takes care of their own,” Camby said. “I hope I can bring my knowledge of the game, and blend in these last 27 games. I’m really excited to be here.”
The Clippers also get cash in the deal.
The Blazers came out of the All-Star break in eighth place in the Western Conference, even though they have dealt with a litany of injuries. Oden and Przybilla are both out for the season and All-Star Brandon Roy(notes) hasn’t played since Jan. 20 with a hamstring injury.
Forward Nicolas Batum(notes), guard Rudy Fernandez(notes) and Outlaw have all missed significant time with injuries.
Camby said “it was kind of shocking” when he first heard of the trade Monday night, because he was in Portland with the Clippers at a sponsor’s dinner.
“I only brought one change of clothes,” said Camby, who won’t play for the Blazers until Friday’s home game against Boston. “It’s been a real rough, rough 24 hours for me, but real exciting at the same time.”
In Portland, Camby will team with another veteran in Juwan Howard(notes) to solidify the Blazers post. The lanky Camby is a former defensive player of the year and two-time member of the NBA all-defensive team. In 51 games this season with the Clippers, he is averaging 7.7 points, 12 rebounds and 1.94 blocks.
“We are very excited to bring an experienced big man of Marcus’ caliber to the team and we feel he’ll help us a great deal down the stretch run,” Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard said. “He’s a fierce competitor and has been one of the league’s best defensive players for quite some time.”
Camby said he was looking forward to playing again with Portland guard Andre Miller(notes). While in Denver, Camby and Miller played on three NBA playoff teams from 2003-05.
“I love to play with Andre Miller because he is so unselfish,” Camby said.
The Blazers were able to part with Blake because of the development of Jerryd Bayless(notes) and the presence of Miller.
Blake returned to Portland before the 2008-09 season and was a starter for much of last season. He began this season in the Blazers’ starting lineup as well before taking on a reserve role in December. Blake was averaging 7.6 points and 27 minutes per game for the Blazers.
Outlaw has been one of Portland’s key reserves during the Blazers’ turnaround in recent seasons.
He was the longest-tenured Blazers player after being drafted in the first-round of the 2003 draft by Portland. This season, Outlaw has been limited to just 11 games after breaking his left foot on Nov. 14 at Charlotte. He was averaging 9.9 points and 3.5 rebounds.
Camby, 35, is a free agent at season’s end, and said the next two months would be a good test as to whether he fits with the Blazers.
“Hopefully things work out for myself and work out for the team. Hopefully they have plans for me in the long term,” he said.
source yahoosports
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Portland sent guard Steve Blake and forward Travis Outlaw to the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday for Camby, a 14-year veteran who is second in the league in rebounding and sixth in blocked shots.
“I think it’s a great situation for myself. It’s a first-class organization that really takes care of their own,” Camby said. “I hope I can bring my knowledge of the game, and blend in these last 27 games. I’m really excited to be here.”
The Clippers also get cash in the deal.
The Blazers came out of the All-Star break in eighth place in the Western Conference, even though they have dealt with a litany of injuries. Oden and Przybilla are both out for the season and All-Star Brandon Roy(notes) hasn’t played since Jan. 20 with a hamstring injury.
Forward Nicolas Batum(notes), guard Rudy Fernandez(notes) and Outlaw have all missed significant time with injuries.
Camby said “it was kind of shocking” when he first heard of the trade Monday night, because he was in Portland with the Clippers at a sponsor’s dinner.
“I only brought one change of clothes,” said Camby, who won’t play for the Blazers until Friday’s home game against Boston. “It’s been a real rough, rough 24 hours for me, but real exciting at the same time.”
In Portland, Camby will team with another veteran in Juwan Howard(notes) to solidify the Blazers post. The lanky Camby is a former defensive player of the year and two-time member of the NBA all-defensive team. In 51 games this season with the Clippers, he is averaging 7.7 points, 12 rebounds and 1.94 blocks.
“We are very excited to bring an experienced big man of Marcus’ caliber to the team and we feel he’ll help us a great deal down the stretch run,” Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard said. “He’s a fierce competitor and has been one of the league’s best defensive players for quite some time.”
Camby said he was looking forward to playing again with Portland guard Andre Miller(notes). While in Denver, Camby and Miller played on three NBA playoff teams from 2003-05.
“I love to play with Andre Miller because he is so unselfish,” Camby said.
The Blazers were able to part with Blake because of the development of Jerryd Bayless(notes) and the presence of Miller.
Blake returned to Portland before the 2008-09 season and was a starter for much of last season. He began this season in the Blazers’ starting lineup as well before taking on a reserve role in December. Blake was averaging 7.6 points and 27 minutes per game for the Blazers.
Outlaw has been one of Portland’s key reserves during the Blazers’ turnaround in recent seasons.
He was the longest-tenured Blazers player after being drafted in the first-round of the 2003 draft by Portland. This season, Outlaw has been limited to just 11 games after breaking his left foot on Nov. 14 at Charlotte. He was averaging 9.9 points and 3.5 rebounds.
Camby, 35, is a free agent at season’s end, and said the next two months would be a good test as to whether he fits with the Blazers.
“Hopefully things work out for myself and work out for the team. Hopefully they have plans for me in the long term,” he said.
source yahoosports
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Knicks in serious talks for McGrady
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The New York Knicks are getting closer to reaching the Houston Rockets’ demands for Tracy McGrady and his $23 million expiring contract, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.
The Knicks and Rockets have designed the framework of a deal that would unload New York’s Jared Jeffries, Jordan Hill and either Al Harrington or Larry Hughes for McGrady, Joey Dorsey and Brian Cook.
As talks stood on Monday, the price of dumping the burdensome contract of Jeffries – who is owed $6.9 million next season – comes with the Knicks and Rockets exchanging 2011 first-round picks and the Knicks’ 2012 first-round choice going to Houston. New York also might include a 2010 second-round pick.
The Utah Jazz own the Knicks’ first-round pick in 2010.
The discussion on potential draft picks changing hands remains fluid.
The completion of the deal isn’t imminent, but sources involved in the discussions are increasingly confident that after months of back and forth, which intensified over All-Star weekend, an agreement is within reach. TNT’s David Aldridge first reported that talks between the teams had picked up.
One of the hang-ups in the deal, sources said, could be the Knicks’ inclusion of either Harrington or Hughes. There are slight variations of the trade that would change depending on which of the two veteran Knicks’ expiring contracts are included. With Harrington over Hughes in the deal, the Rockets wouldn’t need to include Cook.
For the Knicks, the trade would accomplish two important things: First, it would get Jeffries’ salary cleared out, something general manager Donnie Walsh has tried to do since taking the job. This would give the Knicks even more flexibility to be a major player in this summer’s free-agent market. Also, the Knicks want to take a good look at McGrady and let him play as much of a role as he can handle the rest of the season. They may consider re-signing him for next season, based on his performance.
Rockets GM Daryl Morey would get Hill, the untested eighth pick in the 2009 draft, and first-round picks that could prove valuable. This will get the Rockets a significant measure of value for McGrady, who they exiled in December. McGrady, sources said, is excited about the possibility of joining the Knicks.]
Source: YahooSports
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The Knicks and Rockets have designed the framework of a deal that would unload New York’s Jared Jeffries, Jordan Hill and either Al Harrington or Larry Hughes for McGrady, Joey Dorsey and Brian Cook.
As talks stood on Monday, the price of dumping the burdensome contract of Jeffries – who is owed $6.9 million next season – comes with the Knicks and Rockets exchanging 2011 first-round picks and the Knicks’ 2012 first-round choice going to Houston. New York also might include a 2010 second-round pick.
The Utah Jazz own the Knicks’ first-round pick in 2010.
The discussion on potential draft picks changing hands remains fluid.
The completion of the deal isn’t imminent, but sources involved in the discussions are increasingly confident that after months of back and forth, which intensified over All-Star weekend, an agreement is within reach. TNT’s David Aldridge first reported that talks between the teams had picked up.
One of the hang-ups in the deal, sources said, could be the Knicks’ inclusion of either Harrington or Hughes. There are slight variations of the trade that would change depending on which of the two veteran Knicks’ expiring contracts are included. With Harrington over Hughes in the deal, the Rockets wouldn’t need to include Cook.
For the Knicks, the trade would accomplish two important things: First, it would get Jeffries’ salary cleared out, something general manager Donnie Walsh has tried to do since taking the job. This would give the Knicks even more flexibility to be a major player in this summer’s free-agent market. Also, the Knicks want to take a good look at McGrady and let him play as much of a role as he can handle the rest of the season. They may consider re-signing him for next season, based on his performance.
Rockets GM Daryl Morey would get Hill, the untested eighth pick in the 2009 draft, and first-round picks that could prove valuable. This will get the Rockets a significant measure of value for McGrady, who they exiled in December. McGrady, sources said, is excited about the possibility of joining the Knicks.]
Source: YahooSports
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NBA 2010 All-Star game highlight
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East team won 141-139 over the West team. Dwayne Wade named as the 2010 All-Star game MVP with 28pts 6rebs 11 ast and 5steals.
Watch highlight below.
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Watch highlight below.
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East All-Stars edge West in 2010 All-Star game
The East All-Star team won 141-139 over the West All-Star team in the 2010 NBA All-Star game Sunday night. Dwayne Wade lead the East team, scoring 28 pts, 6 rebs and 11 assists and won the MVP honors. East victory came when Dallas native Chris Bosh make the winning free throws in front of a record crowd of 108,713 with 5.0 seconds left in the game. The West had a chance to win it, but Carmelo Anthony's 3-point attempt came up short. Anthony scored 27 and Nowitzki - who Kobe Bryant had predicted would win MVP honors - had 22. LeBron James had 25 points, and Bosh finished with 23 points and 10 rebounds for the East.
2010 NBA All-Star game set a record for the largest crowd to watch a basketball game. The crowd reaches 108,713 at Dallas Stadium breaking the previous record for the largest crowd to watch a basketball game of 78,129, set for a college matchup between Kentucky and Michigan State at Detroit's Ford Field on Dec. 13, 2003.
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2010 NBA All-Star game set a record for the largest crowd to watch a basketball game. The crowd reaches 108,713 at Dallas Stadium breaking the previous record for the largest crowd to watch a basketball game of 78,129, set for a college matchup between Kentucky and Michigan State at Detroit's Ford Field on Dec. 13, 2003.
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Deron Williams dunk video in 2010 All-Star game
This could be one of the highlight. Deron Williams gets the steal and the big slam on the other end during the first half of the 2010 NBA All-Star game.
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For NBA All-Star, everything’s bigger in Texas
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When it comes to the NBA All-Star game, everything is bigger in Texas.
Take it from one of the hosts of this year’s spectacle in Dallas, which will draw the largest crowd ever for a basketball game.
“It’s going to be such an amazing, huge event. I mean this will be the biggest All-Star ever,” Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said recently. “There’s going to be so much going on, it literally could be for North Texas the largest party weekend in the history of the United States. That’s how big this thing has gotten.”
LeBron James and the rest NBA’s best—minus Kobe Bryant, who was scratched Thursday with a sore left ankle—will play Sunday at the new Cowboys Stadium, with more than 90,000 fans expected. Cuban and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had been hoping the league would push for more than 100,000, and the building could accommodate it, but that’s unlikely with the way the venue will be reconfigured for basketball.
Still, it will easily topple the record for largest crowd to watch a basketball game of 78,129, set for a college game between Kentucky and Michigan State at Detroit’s Ford Field on Dec. 13, 2003.
“You guys have been to All-Star weekend in other places,” Cuban told a group of reporters. “I mean, we shut down cities. I mean, literally, you go to any city and it basically shuts it down. So imagine having 100,000 people and all the people come for the parties. I mean, literally, it’ll be the largest party weekend in the history of this country. I don’t think there’s going to be any question about it.”
Cuban added the attendance and party scene would “make the Super Bowl look like a bar mitzvah.”
“That sounds like something Mark Cuban would say,” said Toronto All-Star forward Chris Bosh, a Dallas native. “It’s good that the city of Dallas is excited to have it. Everybody’s getting excited and it’s going to be good.”
Cuban once seemed like the last person who would be excited to have All-Star weekend in Dallas. Unwilling to displace his season-ticket holders, he had no interest in hosting the game at American Airlines Center, a stance commissioner David Stern said he understood.
Then Cuban suggested to the league the idea of staging this year’s weekend at two venues. The Mavs will host the Friday night rookie challenge and the All-Star Saturday night events at their arena, and the game goes to Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.
Stern praised the collaboration between Cuban and Jones, saying it will produce a “combination of celebration, family reunion and making North Texas the basketball capital of the world for several days.”
It means the NBA takes a smaller cut, with some of its normal profits going to Jones, but Stern said it’s worth it with all the interest and attention the game is drawing in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
“They never want me to tell me about the specifics of the economics because they’re never good,” Stern joked. “But we find it just really good for our sport … a very worthwhile event for us and the opportunity to do good things in the community and really to watch the way our players get involved both in the community outreach, but also in making sure that the fans have a good time.”
The players are looking forward to playing in the $1.2 billion stadium, with its high-definition video boards that stand roughly 60 yards wide and 25 yards high.
“It’s going to be fun,” said James, a Cowboys fan who attended the first regular-season game there in September. “The home of the Cowboys makes it a lot more special to me because of how much I love and watch those guys every year. It’s going to be fun.”
It may not be pretty, however, with nine first-timers—the most since there were a record-tying 10 in 2002—possibly battling nerves on the biggest All-Star stage ever. And players largely prefer shooting in smaller venues as opposed to domes, and playing in something as enormous as Cowboys Stadium could mess with their accuracy.
“I think that in those big venues it’s tougher on shooters getting their scope, I think your depth perception is just off a little bit just because of the background,” said Kevin McHale, an All-Star for the Celtics now working as an NBA TV analyst. “But it’s going to be so much fun to be in there with that crowd and that environment.”
The festive atmosphere could be dampened Friday after negotiators from the league and the players’ association meet to discuss a collective bargaining agreement to replace the one that expires in July 2011. The proposal the NBA sent the union last week calls for dramatic financial changes, so the meeting could be short and the chances of an eventual lockout seem high.
Otherwise, not too much should ruin the party—even the winter storm that hit Dallas on Thursday or the fact that Allen Iverson, like Bryant, was a late scratch. While baseball uses its All-Star game to determine home-field advantage in the World Series as a way to make the midseason game relevant, and the NFL changed the date and site of its Pro Bowl this year in an attempt to gain more attention, the NBA is content to leave its game as nothing more than a show.
And this year, it’s the biggest one ever.
“We don’t think we have the formula down perfectly,” Stern said. “We’re always looking to improve it and fine tune it and listen to what people have to say about how we can make it better, but it works. It works for us.”
Source YahooSports
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Take it from one of the hosts of this year’s spectacle in Dallas, which will draw the largest crowd ever for a basketball game.
“It’s going to be such an amazing, huge event. I mean this will be the biggest All-Star ever,” Mavericks owner Mark Cuban said recently. “There’s going to be so much going on, it literally could be for North Texas the largest party weekend in the history of the United States. That’s how big this thing has gotten.”
LeBron James and the rest NBA’s best—minus Kobe Bryant, who was scratched Thursday with a sore left ankle—will play Sunday at the new Cowboys Stadium, with more than 90,000 fans expected. Cuban and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones had been hoping the league would push for more than 100,000, and the building could accommodate it, but that’s unlikely with the way the venue will be reconfigured for basketball.
Still, it will easily topple the record for largest crowd to watch a basketball game of 78,129, set for a college game between Kentucky and Michigan State at Detroit’s Ford Field on Dec. 13, 2003.
“You guys have been to All-Star weekend in other places,” Cuban told a group of reporters. “I mean, we shut down cities. I mean, literally, you go to any city and it basically shuts it down. So imagine having 100,000 people and all the people come for the parties. I mean, literally, it’ll be the largest party weekend in the history of this country. I don’t think there’s going to be any question about it.”
Cuban added the attendance and party scene would “make the Super Bowl look like a bar mitzvah.”
“That sounds like something Mark Cuban would say,” said Toronto All-Star forward Chris Bosh, a Dallas native. “It’s good that the city of Dallas is excited to have it. Everybody’s getting excited and it’s going to be good.”
Cuban once seemed like the last person who would be excited to have All-Star weekend in Dallas. Unwilling to displace his season-ticket holders, he had no interest in hosting the game at American Airlines Center, a stance commissioner David Stern said he understood.
Then Cuban suggested to the league the idea of staging this year’s weekend at two venues. The Mavs will host the Friday night rookie challenge and the All-Star Saturday night events at their arena, and the game goes to Cowboys Stadium in Arlington.
Stern praised the collaboration between Cuban and Jones, saying it will produce a “combination of celebration, family reunion and making North Texas the basketball capital of the world for several days.”
It means the NBA takes a smaller cut, with some of its normal profits going to Jones, but Stern said it’s worth it with all the interest and attention the game is drawing in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
“They never want me to tell me about the specifics of the economics because they’re never good,” Stern joked. “But we find it just really good for our sport … a very worthwhile event for us and the opportunity to do good things in the community and really to watch the way our players get involved both in the community outreach, but also in making sure that the fans have a good time.”
The players are looking forward to playing in the $1.2 billion stadium, with its high-definition video boards that stand roughly 60 yards wide and 25 yards high.
“It’s going to be fun,” said James, a Cowboys fan who attended the first regular-season game there in September. “The home of the Cowboys makes it a lot more special to me because of how much I love and watch those guys every year. It’s going to be fun.”
It may not be pretty, however, with nine first-timers—the most since there were a record-tying 10 in 2002—possibly battling nerves on the biggest All-Star stage ever. And players largely prefer shooting in smaller venues as opposed to domes, and playing in something as enormous as Cowboys Stadium could mess with their accuracy.
“I think that in those big venues it’s tougher on shooters getting their scope, I think your depth perception is just off a little bit just because of the background,” said Kevin McHale, an All-Star for the Celtics now working as an NBA TV analyst. “But it’s going to be so much fun to be in there with that crowd and that environment.”
The festive atmosphere could be dampened Friday after negotiators from the league and the players’ association meet to discuss a collective bargaining agreement to replace the one that expires in July 2011. The proposal the NBA sent the union last week calls for dramatic financial changes, so the meeting could be short and the chances of an eventual lockout seem high.
Otherwise, not too much should ruin the party—even the winter storm that hit Dallas on Thursday or the fact that Allen Iverson, like Bryant, was a late scratch. While baseball uses its All-Star game to determine home-field advantage in the World Series as a way to make the midseason game relevant, and the NFL changed the date and site of its Pro Bowl this year in an attempt to gain more attention, the NBA is content to leave its game as nothing more than a show.
And this year, it’s the biggest one ever.
“We don’t think we have the formula down perfectly,” Stern said. “We’re always looking to improve it and fine tune it and listen to what people have to say about how we can make it better, but it works. It works for us.”
Source YahooSports
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Robinson becomes first three-time slam dunk champion
Nate Robinson won the 2010 Sprite Slam Dunk competition and becomes the first three-time slam dunk champion in the NBA, something that M.J. and other superstars never did. Robinson earned 51 percent of the fan vote to hold off Toronto rookie DeMar DeRozan, who gathered a perfect score of 50 on his second dunk of the first round. On his final dunk, Robinson threw the ball off the backboard, grabbed it and turned midair for a two-handed backward slam.
Watch Nate Robinson final dunk in the 2010 All-Star Sprite Slam Dunk contest.
Meanwhile, Paul Pierce won the 3-point shootout after making all five of the 2-point money balls, giving him a 20 points in the final round. He beat Golden State’s Stephen Curry who has 17points, Denver’s Chauncey Billups with 14 and the defending 3-point shootout champion Daequan Cook who only has 15 points in the first round.
Another All-Star Saturday night winner is Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash. Nash won Skills Challenge title, beating Milwaukee rookie guard Brandon Jennings and Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook who replaced the defending Skills Challenge champion Derrick Rose. Rose sat out for the event due to an injury. Nash beat 2008 champion Deron Williams of Utah in the final round.
In the Shooting Stars competition Team Texas’ capped the title. Texas team members are Dirk Nowitzki, San Antonio Silver Stars player Becky Hammon and former Houston guard Kenny Smith. They beat Team Los Angeles with a time of 34.3 in the finals. Team Los Angeles is consisted of Lakers All-Star Pau Gasol, former NBA player Brent Barry and Marie Ferdinand-Harris of the Los Angeles Sparks.
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Watch Nate Robinson final dunk in the 2010 All-Star Sprite Slam Dunk contest.
Meanwhile, Paul Pierce won the 3-point shootout after making all five of the 2-point money balls, giving him a 20 points in the final round. He beat Golden State’s Stephen Curry who has 17points, Denver’s Chauncey Billups with 14 and the defending 3-point shootout champion Daequan Cook who only has 15 points in the first round.
Another All-Star Saturday night winner is Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash. Nash won Skills Challenge title, beating Milwaukee rookie guard Brandon Jennings and Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook who replaced the defending Skills Challenge champion Derrick Rose. Rose sat out for the event due to an injury. Nash beat 2008 champion Deron Williams of Utah in the final round.
In the Shooting Stars competition Team Texas’ capped the title. Texas team members are Dirk Nowitzki, San Antonio Silver Stars player Becky Hammon and former Houston guard Kenny Smith. They beat Team Los Angeles with a time of 34.3 in the finals. Team Los Angeles is consisted of Lakers All-Star Pau Gasol, former NBA player Brent Barry and Marie Ferdinand-Harris of the Los Angeles Sparks.
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Watch NBA All-Star Sprite Slam Dunk contest live
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2010 NBA All-Star Game,
DeMar DeRozan,
Gerald Wallace,
Nate Robinson,
Shannon Brown,
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Watch the 2010 NBA All-Star Sprite Slam Dunk contest live as it airs on TNT. Aside All-Star game in the NBA All-Star weekend slam dunk contest is one of the most watched event.
Nate Robinson who defeated Dwight Howard in last year's slam dunk contest will defend his title and try to become the first three-time winner of the event. But it wouldn't be that easy for Robinson as he will face other high flier in the NBA - Gerald Wallace, Shannon Brown and DeMar DeRozan just earned the last spot after beating Eric Gordon in the first ever Slam Dunk-in. The mini event took place in the half time of the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge.
Can Robinson make it three in a row? Or we will be having a new Slam Dunk champion? Lets find it out on Saturday night, February 13 as TNT airs the Sprite Slam Dunk contest live stream. Slam dunk contest will took place at American Airlines Center, 8:30 p.m. ET .
Watch live streaming below. (Wait for the video to load)
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Nate Robinson who defeated Dwight Howard in last year's slam dunk contest will defend his title and try to become the first three-time winner of the event. But it wouldn't be that easy for Robinson as he will face other high flier in the NBA - Gerald Wallace, Shannon Brown and DeMar DeRozan just earned the last spot after beating Eric Gordon in the first ever Slam Dunk-in. The mini event took place in the half time of the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge.
Can Robinson make it three in a row? Or we will be having a new Slam Dunk champion? Lets find it out on Saturday night, February 13 as TNT airs the Sprite Slam Dunk contest live stream. Slam dunk contest will took place at American Airlines Center, 8:30 p.m. ET .
Watch live streaming below. (Wait for the video to load)
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NBA All-Star Rookies ended Sophomores domination
NBA All-Star Rookies snapped a seven-year losing streak against the Sophomores, winning 140-128 in the 2010 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge by a score of 140-128. Tyreke Evans who lead the rookies in scoring with 26pts, five rbounds and five assist was named the game's MVP, together with DeJuan Blair who dominated the boards with 23 rebounds to go along with 22pts. Russell Westbrook lead the sophomores with 40 pts, had a chance to for another scoring record but sat the game's final four-plus minutes while stuck at 40. Kevin Durant is the one currently holding the record with 46 pts in the last year's event.
Milwaukee rookie Brandon Jennings had 22 points and eight assists, and James Harden from Oklahoma City also had 22 points. While Miami's Michael Beasley, had 26 points, Golden State's Anthony Morrow had 15 points and Minnesota's Kevin Love, who had predicted a lopsided victory for the sophomores, had 12 points and six rebounds. O.J. Mayo from Memphis had eight points and 10 assists.
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Milwaukee rookie Brandon Jennings had 22 points and eight assists, and James Harden from Oklahoma City also had 22 points. While Miami's Michael Beasley, had 26 points, Golden State's Anthony Morrow had 15 points and Minnesota's Kevin Love, who had predicted a lopsided victory for the sophomores, had 12 points and six rebounds. O.J. Mayo from Memphis had eight points and 10 assists.
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DeMar DeRozan Defeats Eric Gordon, earned slam dunk contest spot
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DeMar DeRozan defeated Eric Gordon in the league's first-ever Slam Dunk-In, and earned himself a spot in the real deal on Saturday night in the process. But the mini-competition, which took place at halftime of Friday night's T-Mobile Rookie Challenge, was so lacking in excitement that it wouldn't be a surprise if the league discontinued it after experimenting with it just this once.
Each player took turns and got to complete two dunks, but without the immediate gratification of the judges holding up numbered scorecards due to the fact that fans would be voting on the contest's winner, there was definitely something lacking.
And then, there were the dunks themselves.
DeRozan's first effort was his best, a through-the-legs, overhead slam with his left hand that would have surely drawn high scores in the main event on Saturday. But while DeRozan executed this dunk on the first try, Eric Gordon seemed to make things harder on himself than was actually necessary.
Gordon missed a series of passes off the backboard to himself in his first attempt, before finally settling for something a little more basic. His second dunk was a good one, flying by the front of the rim from right to left and catching a pass from O.J. Mayo for an acrobatic slam, but again, it took him several attempts to do so, and that took the air out of the building a bit.
After the dunks were completed, there was a two minute session where the arena hype-man begged the people in attendance to TEXT TEXT TEXT in their votes. I know there's talk of a lockout on the horizon, but my goodness -- the NBA doesn't need the extra revenue that badly.
All in all, it was a pretty weak event, and one that came through with the outcome that was expected the moment the participants were announced. We'll see what the league comes up with next season, but whatever it is, it's got to turn out better than this.
Source nba fanhouse
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Each player took turns and got to complete two dunks, but without the immediate gratification of the judges holding up numbered scorecards due to the fact that fans would be voting on the contest's winner, there was definitely something lacking.
And then, there were the dunks themselves.
DeRozan's first effort was his best, a through-the-legs, overhead slam with his left hand that would have surely drawn high scores in the main event on Saturday. But while DeRozan executed this dunk on the first try, Eric Gordon seemed to make things harder on himself than was actually necessary.
Gordon missed a series of passes off the backboard to himself in his first attempt, before finally settling for something a little more basic. His second dunk was a good one, flying by the front of the rim from right to left and catching a pass from O.J. Mayo for an acrobatic slam, but again, it took him several attempts to do so, and that took the air out of the building a bit.
After the dunks were completed, there was a two minute session where the arena hype-man begged the people in attendance to TEXT TEXT TEXT in their votes. I know there's talk of a lockout on the horizon, but my goodness -- the NBA doesn't need the extra revenue that badly.
All in all, it was a pretty weak event, and one that came through with the outcome that was expected the moment the participants were announced. We'll see what the league comes up with next season, but whatever it is, it's got to turn out better than this.
Source nba fanhouse
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NBA 2010 All-Star Celebrity game participants
Watch the 2010 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game live on Friday, Feb. 12 at 7 p.m. ET at Jam Session in Dallas Convention Center. Will also be available on ESPN.
NBA 2010 All-Star Celebrity game participants
Watch All-Star Celebrity game live streaming here
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NBA 2010 All-Star Celebrity game participants
| Doctor Oz (Host, The Dr. Oz Show) | Anthony Kim (PGA Tour Pro) |
| Chris Tucker (Actor/Comedian) | Terrence J (Host of BET's "106 & Park") |
| Joel Moore (Avatar) | Mark Cuban (Dallas Mavericks Owner) |
| Pitbull (Musician, I Know You Want Me) | Common (Musician/Actor) |
| Terrell Owens (Six-time NFL Pro Bowler) | Michael Rapaport (Actor) |
| Flight Time Lang (Harlem Globetrotters) | Special K Daley (Harlem Globetrotters) |
| Big Easy Lofton (Harlem Globetrotters) | Scooter Christensen (Harlem Globetrotters) |
| Angel McCoughtry (Atlanta Dream forward) | Becky Hammon (San Antonio Silver Stars guard) |
| Rick Fox (Three-time NBA Champion) | Chris Mullin (Five-time NBA All-Star) |
| Nancy Lieberman (Basketball Hall of Famer) | Robert Horry (Seven-time NBA Champion) |
| Coach: Alonzo Mourning (Five-time NBA All-Star) | Coach: Magic Johnson (Basketball Hall of Famer, ESPN analyst) |
| Assistant Coach: Mario Lopez | Assistant Coach: Drake (Musician) |
Watch All-Star Celebrity game live streaming here
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Hurt Bulls G Rose hopes to play in All-Star Game
CHICAGO (AP)—The Chicago Bulls say All-Star point guard Derrick Rose suffered “no significant injury” to his hip or lower back after a hard foul by Orlando’s Dwight Howard.
The team said Thursday that X-rays and an MRI revealed no major damage, one day after Rose left the game with a bruised right hip.
Rose will be re-examined by team physician Dr. Brian Cole in Dallas on Saturday. Rose still hopes to defend his Skills Challenge title that night and participate in his first All-Star game on Sunday.
Rose was injured about 2 1/2 minutes into Wednesday’s 107-87 loss when he got knocked to the floor by Howard on a driving layup. He clutched his lower back and was slow to get to his feet.
Source Yahoosports
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The team said Thursday that X-rays and an MRI revealed no major damage, one day after Rose left the game with a bruised right hip.
Rose will be re-examined by team physician Dr. Brian Cole in Dallas on Saturday. Rose still hopes to defend his Skills Challenge title that night and participate in his first All-Star game on Sunday.
Rose was injured about 2 1/2 minutes into Wednesday’s 107-87 loss when he got knocked to the floor by Howard on a driving layup. He clutched his lower back and was slow to get to his feet.
Source Yahoosports
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All-Star Game Changes: Kobe, Iverson Out; Kidd, Lee In
What has been mentioned as possibility for several days is now a reality: Kobe Bryant will sit out the All-Star Game with the same ankle injury that’s made him miss the last three games, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein.
But fear not, because he’s being replaced by Jason Kidd. Wait, what?!
There are some logical reasons for this selection. Kidd is a member of the hometown Mavs, he’s a legend, and point guards thrive when ball-moving point guards are involved. That said, Kidd is clearly not putting up All-Star numbers this year. His 9.3 ppg and 9.3 apg averages are solid, but there’s a reason he wasn’t mentioned in much All-Star talk until today.
My guess is that this selection is a combination of hometown advantage and the snow in Dallas making it difficult for many people to get to the game. Kidd was available, so he’s now playing.
Stein also reports that Allen Iverson will miss the game, likely to be with his ailing daughter. Earlier in the day, Iverson was reported to still be playing in the game, but those reports were clearly inaccurate.
Knicks big man David Lee is his replacement, and this decision makes a lot more sense than Kidd on the merits. Lee is putting up tremendous numbers in New York (20 ppg and 11.4 rpg) and deserves to be there. I would’ve taken Josh Smith, but this is nothing to get angry about.
One important note: the West now has four point guards and no shooting guards on the roster. Expect a lot of Kevin Durant at the two in this one.
More from Sporting News: Links of the Day: February 11
Source Yahoosports
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But fear not, because he’s being replaced by Jason Kidd. Wait, what?!
There are some logical reasons for this selection. Kidd is a member of the hometown Mavs, he’s a legend, and point guards thrive when ball-moving point guards are involved. That said, Kidd is clearly not putting up All-Star numbers this year. His 9.3 ppg and 9.3 apg averages are solid, but there’s a reason he wasn’t mentioned in much All-Star talk until today.
My guess is that this selection is a combination of hometown advantage and the snow in Dallas making it difficult for many people to get to the game. Kidd was available, so he’s now playing.
Stein also reports that Allen Iverson will miss the game, likely to be with his ailing daughter. Earlier in the day, Iverson was reported to still be playing in the game, but those reports were clearly inaccurate.
Knicks big man David Lee is his replacement, and this decision makes a lot more sense than Kidd on the merits. Lee is putting up tremendous numbers in New York (20 ppg and 11.4 rpg) and deserves to be there. I would’ve taken Josh Smith, but this is nothing to get angry about.
One important note: the West now has four point guards and no shooting guards on the roster. Expect a lot of Kevin Durant at the two in this one.
More from Sporting News: Links of the Day: February 11
Source Yahoosports
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Bryant unsure about playing in All-Star game
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Kobe Bryant isn't sure if he'll play in this weekend's NBA All-Star game in Dallas because of his sore left ankle.
Bryant missed his second consecutive game Monday night against San Antonio, which lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 101-89.
"If I'm not able to play, I won't play. But I'm healthy, I will," he said.
Bryant said he can't push off on his left foot.
"I can't move to play. Can't go," he said, adding he would be a game-time decision Wednesday at Utah. "If I'm ready to go, I'll play."
Lakers trainer Gary Vitti would like Bryant to rest through All-Star weekend, capped by Sunday's game. Bryant said he couldn't commit either way.
"I don't know what it's going to look like on Sunday. I'm not clairvoyant," he said, laughing.
Bryant stayed in the lockerroom to get treatment Monday night.
"It's frustrating. I'm not used to this. I don't know what the hell players are supposed to do back here," he said. "I don't know what's going on half the time."
Bryant's streak of 235 consecutive games played ended Saturday when he sat out the Lakers' first win at Portland since 2005. He said his reputation for being a warrior who refuses to shut it down is overblown.
"I'm not an idiot. I'm not going to run through a wall just to run through a wall," he said. "If it's an injury where I feel like I can play through it and have it heal while I'm playing, then I'll play. But if it's the type of injury where it's going to get worse when I play, then I won't."
Asked what percentage he needed to be at to play again, Bryant said, "If I can move, I'm good. If I can move and get to the basket, I'm good."
Bryant originally sprained his ankle on Jan. 29 in Philadelphia. He aggravated it last week against Charlotte when teammate Lamar Odom stepped on his foot.
Already this season, he's been playing through a fracture of his right index finger.
Andrew Bynum missed Monday night's game because of a bruised right hip.
Source: NBA.com
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Bryant missed his second consecutive game Monday night against San Antonio, which lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 101-89.
"If I'm not able to play, I won't play. But I'm healthy, I will," he said.
Bryant said he can't push off on his left foot.
"I can't move to play. Can't go," he said, adding he would be a game-time decision Wednesday at Utah. "If I'm ready to go, I'll play."
Lakers trainer Gary Vitti would like Bryant to rest through All-Star weekend, capped by Sunday's game. Bryant said he couldn't commit either way.
"I don't know what it's going to look like on Sunday. I'm not clairvoyant," he said, laughing.
Bryant stayed in the lockerroom to get treatment Monday night.
"It's frustrating. I'm not used to this. I don't know what the hell players are supposed to do back here," he said. "I don't know what's going on half the time."
Bryant's streak of 235 consecutive games played ended Saturday when he sat out the Lakers' first win at Portland since 2005. He said his reputation for being a warrior who refuses to shut it down is overblown.
"I'm not an idiot. I'm not going to run through a wall just to run through a wall," he said. "If it's an injury where I feel like I can play through it and have it heal while I'm playing, then I'll play. But if it's the type of injury where it's going to get worse when I play, then I won't."
Asked what percentage he needed to be at to play again, Bryant said, "If I can move, I'm good. If I can move and get to the basket, I'm good."
Bryant originally sprained his ankle on Jan. 29 in Philadelphia. He aggravated it last week against Charlotte when teammate Lamar Odom stepped on his foot.
Already this season, he's been playing through a fracture of his right index finger.
Andrew Bynum missed Monday night's game because of a bruised right hip.
Source: NBA.com
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Bryant unsure about playing in All-Star game
LOS ANGELES (AP)—Kobe Bryant isn’t sure if he’ll play in this weekend’s NBA All-Star game in Dallas because of his sore left ankle.
Bryant missed his second consecutive game Monday night against San Antonio, which lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 101-89.
“If I’m not able to play, I won’t play. But I’m healthy, I will,” he said.
Bryant said he can’t push off on his left foot.
“I can’t move to play. Can’t go,” he said, adding he would be a game-time decision Wednesday at Utah. “If I’m ready to go, I’ll play.”
Lakers trainer Gary Vitti would like Bryant to rest through All-Star weekend, capped by Sunday’s game. Bryant said he couldn’t commit either way.
“I don’t know what it’s going to look like on Sunday. I’m not clairvoyant,” he said, laughing.
Bryant stayed in the lockerroom to get treatment Monday night.
“It’s frustrating. I’m not used to this. I don’t know what the hell players are supposed to do back here,” he said. “I don’t know what’s going on half the time.”
Bryant’s streak of 235 consecutive games played ended Saturday when he sat out the Lakers’ first win at Portland since 2005. He said his reputation for being a warrior who refuses to shut it down is overblown.
“I’m not an idiot. I’m not going to run through a wall just to run through a wall,” he said. “If it’s an injury where I feel like I can play through it and have it heal while I’m playing, then I’ll play. But if it’s the type of injury where it’s going to get worse when I play, then I won’t.”
Asked what percentage he needed to be at to play again, Bryant said, “If I can move, I’m good. If I can move and get to the basket, I’m good.”
Bryant originally sprained his ankle on Jan. 29 in Philadelphia. He aggravated it last week against Charlotte when teammate Lamar Odom stepped on his foot.
Already this season, he’s been playing through a fracture of his right index finger.
Andrew Bynum missed Monday night’s game because of a bruised right hip.
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Bryant missed his second consecutive game Monday night against San Antonio, which lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 101-89.
“If I’m not able to play, I won’t play. But I’m healthy, I will,” he said.
Bryant said he can’t push off on his left foot.
“I can’t move to play. Can’t go,” he said, adding he would be a game-time decision Wednesday at Utah. “If I’m ready to go, I’ll play.”
Lakers trainer Gary Vitti would like Bryant to rest through All-Star weekend, capped by Sunday’s game. Bryant said he couldn’t commit either way.
“I don’t know what it’s going to look like on Sunday. I’m not clairvoyant,” he said, laughing.
Bryant stayed in the lockerroom to get treatment Monday night.
“It’s frustrating. I’m not used to this. I don’t know what the hell players are supposed to do back here,” he said. “I don’t know what’s going on half the time.”
Bryant’s streak of 235 consecutive games played ended Saturday when he sat out the Lakers’ first win at Portland since 2005. He said his reputation for being a warrior who refuses to shut it down is overblown.
“I’m not an idiot. I’m not going to run through a wall just to run through a wall,” he said. “If it’s an injury where I feel like I can play through it and have it heal while I’m playing, then I’ll play. But if it’s the type of injury where it’s going to get worse when I play, then I won’t.”
Asked what percentage he needed to be at to play again, Bryant said, “If I can move, I’m good. If I can move and get to the basket, I’m good.”
Bryant originally sprained his ankle on Jan. 29 in Philadelphia. He aggravated it last week against Charlotte when teammate Lamar Odom stepped on his foot.
Already this season, he’s been playing through a fracture of his right index finger.
Andrew Bynum missed Monday night’s game because of a bruised right hip.
Source YahooSports
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Williams finally gets the recognition he deserves
Deron Williams has earned a spot on the U.S. Olympic squad. He's led the Jazz to the playoffs the last three years. He's even locked down a spot on an All-NBA team.
Williams has enjoyed a decorated career for someone just 25. Now he can add another piece to the résumé. He's an All-Star for the first time.
"It'll be great to get my first All-Star appearance, especially in Dallas," Williams said.
Williams, Thunder forward Kevin Durant and Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph are the three newcomers in the group of seven Western Conference reserves. The four multiple-time All-Stars: Dirk Nowitzki (Mavericks), Chris Paul (Hornets), Pau Gasol (Lakers) and Brandon Roy (Blazers).
The reserves join starters Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Carmelo Anthony, Tim Duncan and Amar'e Stoudemire. The All-Star Game is being held Feb. 14 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, before a stadium audience that should break all previous attendence records for a basketball game.
The All-Star Game is also a homecoming for Williams, who grew up and starred in high school in the Dallas area. And he's not the only one. Nowitzki gets to suit up before his hometown fans, while Durant played collegiately a few hours down the highway at the University of Texas.
"To have my first All-Star Game kind of in the middle of my two second homes, so to speak, Austin and Oklahoma City, would be very special," Durant said. "Some fans from Oklahoma City could come down to watch, my teammates could come to the game, and to walk out onto that court and see 80 or 90,000 people in the stands would be amazing."
The league's third-leading scorer said he didn't deserve All-Star consideration last year because Oklahoma City wasn't winning. Those sentiments struck a chord with Thunder coach Scott Brooks.
"That's powerful for a young player to say those types of things and really mean it," Brooks said. "He meant it."
Nowitzki, an All-Star for the ninth consecutive time, narrowly missed a starting berth when Duncan surged ahead in the final days. Though it's old hat, Nowitzki doesn't take his place in the league's showcase and within the Mavericks organization for granted.
"It is an honor to represent this franchise in the All-Star Game," he said. "We hope to put on a good show for our fans."
The selections by the West coaches went pretty much as projected, but a couple of picks deserve a second glance. Gasol was selected for the third time as the backup center despite not being the everyday center for the Lakers (Andrew Bynum is). Gasol missed 17 games and has had a slight dropoff in scoring.
Clippers center Chris Kaman was effectively snubbed for the second time. He also was initially left off the ballot by the writers committee. too. Kaman (20.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game) is arguably having the best season of any traditional center in the West and the Clippers, despite being 20-25, are hanging on in the playoff hunt.
Randolph's selection is also notable. The league's fourth-leading rebounder is certainly deserving, and the Grizzlies are one of the West's surprise stories, but some thought Z-Bo's less-than-stellar reputation might cost him support within the coaching fraternity.
"It's changing," Randolph said of his image. "Because no matter what, you've got to get people to know that ... is definitely changing here in Memphis."
Other notable omissions include Chauncey Billups (Nuggets), Aaron Brooks (Rockets) and Rudy Gay (Grizzlies). Choosing among the guards had to be the toughest chore for West coaches. Among those backcourt standouts chosen, Paul is making his fourth All-Star team and Roy his third.
"He's had a better year this year than he's had any season," Portland coach Nate McMillan said of Roy. "He's averaging 23 [points per game]. With so many of our guys being injured and with guys around the league knowing he's an All-Star, he has still been able to put up the numbers, both scoring as well as winning in the West. He's had to shoulder a lot of load for the team."
The same can be said for Williams. Whoever the West coach is will be blessed with a stacked collection of point guards in starter Nash, Paul and Williams. The latter was just waiting to join the party after being left out the last few seasons.
"We've got a lot of great point guards in the West every year," Williams said. "It's been disappointing, but at the same time, go down the list. We have Steve Nash, Tony Parker, Chris Paul, Baron Davis, Chauncey Billups. There are a lot of good point guards out there."
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Williams has enjoyed a decorated career for someone just 25. Now he can add another piece to the résumé. He's an All-Star for the first time.
"It'll be great to get my first All-Star appearance, especially in Dallas," Williams said.
Williams, Thunder forward Kevin Durant and Grizzlies forward Zach Randolph are the three newcomers in the group of seven Western Conference reserves. The four multiple-time All-Stars: Dirk Nowitzki (Mavericks), Chris Paul (Hornets), Pau Gasol (Lakers) and Brandon Roy (Blazers).
The reserves join starters Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash, Carmelo Anthony, Tim Duncan and Amar'e Stoudemire. The All-Star Game is being held Feb. 14 at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, before a stadium audience that should break all previous attendence records for a basketball game.
The All-Star Game is also a homecoming for Williams, who grew up and starred in high school in the Dallas area. And he's not the only one. Nowitzki gets to suit up before his hometown fans, while Durant played collegiately a few hours down the highway at the University of Texas.
"To have my first All-Star Game kind of in the middle of my two second homes, so to speak, Austin and Oklahoma City, would be very special," Durant said. "Some fans from Oklahoma City could come down to watch, my teammates could come to the game, and to walk out onto that court and see 80 or 90,000 people in the stands would be amazing."
The league's third-leading scorer said he didn't deserve All-Star consideration last year because Oklahoma City wasn't winning. Those sentiments struck a chord with Thunder coach Scott Brooks.
"That's powerful for a young player to say those types of things and really mean it," Brooks said. "He meant it."
Nowitzki, an All-Star for the ninth consecutive time, narrowly missed a starting berth when Duncan surged ahead in the final days. Though it's old hat, Nowitzki doesn't take his place in the league's showcase and within the Mavericks organization for granted.
"It is an honor to represent this franchise in the All-Star Game," he said. "We hope to put on a good show for our fans."
The selections by the West coaches went pretty much as projected, but a couple of picks deserve a second glance. Gasol was selected for the third time as the backup center despite not being the everyday center for the Lakers (Andrew Bynum is). Gasol missed 17 games and has had a slight dropoff in scoring.
Clippers center Chris Kaman was effectively snubbed for the second time. He also was initially left off the ballot by the writers committee. too. Kaman (20.1 points and 9.1 rebounds per game) is arguably having the best season of any traditional center in the West and the Clippers, despite being 20-25, are hanging on in the playoff hunt.
Randolph's selection is also notable. The league's fourth-leading rebounder is certainly deserving, and the Grizzlies are one of the West's surprise stories, but some thought Z-Bo's less-than-stellar reputation might cost him support within the coaching fraternity.
"It's changing," Randolph said of his image. "Because no matter what, you've got to get people to know that ... is definitely changing here in Memphis."
Other notable omissions include Chauncey Billups (Nuggets), Aaron Brooks (Rockets) and Rudy Gay (Grizzlies). Choosing among the guards had to be the toughest chore for West coaches. Among those backcourt standouts chosen, Paul is making his fourth All-Star team and Roy his third.
"He's had a better year this year than he's had any season," Portland coach Nate McMillan said of Roy. "He's averaging 23 [points per game]. With so many of our guys being injured and with guys around the league knowing he's an All-Star, he has still been able to put up the numbers, both scoring as well as winning in the West. He's had to shoulder a lot of load for the team."
The same can be said for Williams. Whoever the West coach is will be blessed with a stacked collection of point guards in starter Nash, Paul and Williams. The latter was just waiting to join the party after being left out the last few seasons.
"We've got a lot of great point guards in the West every year," Williams said. "It's been disappointing, but at the same time, go down the list. We have Steve Nash, Tony Parker, Chris Paul, Baron Davis, Chauncey Billups. There are a lot of good point guards out there."
Source NBA.com
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Watch NBA All Star game 2010 live stream|ASG online streaming
Watch NBA All Star game 2010 live stream this coming February 14, 2010.Western Conference All-stars will face the Eastern Conference All-Stars in a game that will decide who is the best among the conferences. The West All-Stars look for a back-to-back win and will try to defend the title against the East team who is looking for revenge in a 146-119 loss last year. Lakers guard Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'neal who is still playing for the Phoenix Suns that time was named as the 2010 NBA All-Star game MVP's. This year's NBA ASG is expected to break basketball attendance record.
Can Western All-Stars make a back-to-back All-Star game win? Lets find it out on February 14, 2010. Watch NBA All Star game live streaming on TNT from Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Dallas.
2010 NBA All-Star Game tip off time starts 7:00 PM ET and the game time will starts 8:00 PM ET.
See NBA All-Star 2010 roster
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Can Western All-Stars make a back-to-back All-Star game win? Lets find it out on February 14, 2010. Watch NBA All Star game live streaming on TNT from Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Dallas.
2010 NBA All-Star Game tip off time starts 7:00 PM ET and the game time will starts 8:00 PM ET.
See NBA All-Star 2010 roster
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Blazers G Roy out until after All-Star game
Watch NBA All Star 2010 live on February 11 to 14 2010.
Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy will miss the next three games and the All-Star game with a right hamstring injury.
Roy was originally hurt in a Jan. 13 game against Milwaukee, then aggravated the injury on Jan. 20 at Philadelphia. He has missed 12 of the last 13 games, including Saturday night’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I don’t feel like I’m at a level where I can help the guys out right now,” he said before the game.
Roy, in his fourth season with the Blazers, made the All-Star team as a reserve for the third straight season. He said he will not travel to Dallas for the game on Feb. 14 at Cowboys Stadium.
“This was not a decision that any of us wanted to make, but in the end we had to do what was best for Brandon,” Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard said. “We’re hopeful that this extended rest will put Brandon in the best possible position to return to the lineup shortly after the All-Star break.”
Roy leads the Blazers with 23.1 points per game.
“I think it’s going to be the smart thing just to stay off it for a little while,” Roy said.
Roy’s injury is the latest to strike the Blazers, who have lost centers Joel Przybilla and Greg Oden to season-ending knee injuries.
Recently, Portland saw the return of forward Rudy Fernandez, who missed 19 games because of a back problem, and forward Nicolas Batum, who was supposed to start but had shoulder surgery just before the start of the season.
Roy, who was an All-American at Washington, was the sixth overall pick in 2006 by the Minnesota Timberwolves and was acquired by Portland in a draft-day trade. He made an impact from the start, winning the league’s Rookie of the Year honors.
Central to rebuilding efforts after the “Jail Blazers” era, Roy is Portland’s unquestioned leader.
“This will give him a chance to rest it, rehab it and not have to worry about coming back in the next day or two,” Blazers coach Nate McMillan said.
Roy is the fourth three-time All-Star from the Blazers, joining Clyde Drexler, who was named to the team eight times; Sidney Wicks, a four-time All-Star; and Maurice Lucas, honored three times.
From YahooSports
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Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy will miss the next three games and the All-Star game with a right hamstring injury.
Roy was originally hurt in a Jan. 13 game against Milwaukee, then aggravated the injury on Jan. 20 at Philadelphia. He has missed 12 of the last 13 games, including Saturday night’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers.
“I don’t feel like I’m at a level where I can help the guys out right now,” he said before the game.
Roy, in his fourth season with the Blazers, made the All-Star team as a reserve for the third straight season. He said he will not travel to Dallas for the game on Feb. 14 at Cowboys Stadium.
“This was not a decision that any of us wanted to make, but in the end we had to do what was best for Brandon,” Blazers general manager Kevin Pritchard said. “We’re hopeful that this extended rest will put Brandon in the best possible position to return to the lineup shortly after the All-Star break.”
Roy leads the Blazers with 23.1 points per game.
“I think it’s going to be the smart thing just to stay off it for a little while,” Roy said.
Roy’s injury is the latest to strike the Blazers, who have lost centers Joel Przybilla and Greg Oden to season-ending knee injuries.
Recently, Portland saw the return of forward Rudy Fernandez, who missed 19 games because of a back problem, and forward Nicolas Batum, who was supposed to start but had shoulder surgery just before the start of the season.
Roy, who was an All-American at Washington, was the sixth overall pick in 2006 by the Minnesota Timberwolves and was acquired by Portland in a draft-day trade. He made an impact from the start, winning the league’s Rookie of the Year honors.
Central to rebuilding efforts after the “Jail Blazers” era, Roy is Portland’s unquestioned leader.
“This will give him a chance to rest it, rehab it and not have to worry about coming back in the next day or two,” Blazers coach Nate McMillan said.
Roy is the fourth three-time All-Star from the Blazers, joining Clyde Drexler, who was named to the team eight times; Sidney Wicks, a four-time All-Star; and Maurice Lucas, honored three times.
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Chauncey Billups Named to 2010 All-Star Team
Watch 2010 NBA All-Star on February 11-14, 2010 at Dallas.
Piper Billups will have to share her husband next week.
While walking out of the Pepsi Center after Wednesday morning's shootaround, Denver Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups joked his wife wouldn't mind if he wasn't chosen as an All-Star injury replacement because his family has scheduled a vacation All-Star Weekend to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
"I think she'd rather have me all to herself than have to share me with everybody,'' Billups said.
Let the sharing begin. Billups was named later in the day by NBA commissioner David Stern to replace the injured Chris Paul for the West in the Feb. 14 All-Star Game in Dallas.
It will be the fifth straight All-Star appearance for Billups. He'll be on the bubble to make the Hall of Fame one day, so every one counts.
"It's crazy, man,'' said Billups, who was considered by some a bust early in his 13-year career and didn't make his first All-Star Game until his ninth season. "It's kind of humbling to be honest. It's kind of surreal to see how my career started. Everybody pretty much wrote me off and thought I would be out of the league, and I've come back and was able to make five straight All-Star Games. It's crazy. I don't really have the words. It's crazy, though.''
Billups had been the leading candidate to be named since it became known Sunday that Paul, a New Orleans guard, would be lost for what is believed to be at least a month due to knee surgery.
"I thought he was leader in the clubhouse, and I'm glad the league verified that,'' said Nuggets coach George Karl. "Signed the card. I'm happy for him. I think it's the right decision and the right move from the standpoint how Chauncey has played the last six weeks. I think it's also a celebration of the team having the second-best record in the (West).''
Earlier in the day, Karl had called it a "no-brainer'' Stern would select Billups.
"Chauncey Billups should, I think, feel like Obama in an presidential election,'' Karl had said. "It's, to me, a fairly lopsided vote... There are some great guards out there and, yes, (Golden State's) Monta Ellis has had a special season. I actually think (Dallas') Jason Kidd has had a special season. I think the Aaron Brooks kid (in Houston) has played great. But (Billups recently) has played better than the guys actually on the All-Star team in my mind.''
Billups, whose 19.2 scoring average through Wednesday is in line to be a career best and is averaging 6.1 assists, had said after Monday's 112-109 win over Sacramento he couldn't lose because he would be going either to the All-Star Game or on a Mexican vacation.
Follow NBA FanHouse "(Piper Billups) knows we'll get to that in the summer time sometime,'' Billups said. "She really wanted to go to Cabo but, at the same time, she's excited that I got recognized as being an All-Star as well.''
Billups will be joined in Dallas by Denver forward Carmelo Anthony, named a starter in fan voting. In Wednesday's 109-97 loss to Phoenix, Anthony missed his sixth straight game due to a sprained left ankle. He might not be back for Denver games Friday at the Los Angeles Lakers and Saturday at Utah, which might not mean he returns until Tuesday's home game against Dallas.
"(Wednesday) morning it was still sore and tender in an area,'' Karl said of the injury Anthony suffered Jan. 23. "When we saw the injury, we thought it was tough. Melo is so good with injuries that we probably got optimistically ahead of the truth, and we just have to be careful with it.''
Meanwhile, Billups was able to play against the Suns despite a sprained left ankle suffered Monday. And he had to cancel those vacation plans. His wife will have to share him All-Star Weekend.
From NBA Fanhouse
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Piper Billups will have to share her husband next week.
While walking out of the Pepsi Center after Wednesday morning's shootaround, Denver Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups joked his wife wouldn't mind if he wasn't chosen as an All-Star injury replacement because his family has scheduled a vacation All-Star Weekend to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.
"I think she'd rather have me all to herself than have to share me with everybody,'' Billups said.
Let the sharing begin. Billups was named later in the day by NBA commissioner David Stern to replace the injured Chris Paul for the West in the Feb. 14 All-Star Game in Dallas.
It will be the fifth straight All-Star appearance for Billups. He'll be on the bubble to make the Hall of Fame one day, so every one counts.
"It's crazy, man,'' said Billups, who was considered by some a bust early in his 13-year career and didn't make his first All-Star Game until his ninth season. "It's kind of humbling to be honest. It's kind of surreal to see how my career started. Everybody pretty much wrote me off and thought I would be out of the league, and I've come back and was able to make five straight All-Star Games. It's crazy. I don't really have the words. It's crazy, though.''
Billups had been the leading candidate to be named since it became known Sunday that Paul, a New Orleans guard, would be lost for what is believed to be at least a month due to knee surgery.
"I thought he was leader in the clubhouse, and I'm glad the league verified that,'' said Nuggets coach George Karl. "Signed the card. I'm happy for him. I think it's the right decision and the right move from the standpoint how Chauncey has played the last six weeks. I think it's also a celebration of the team having the second-best record in the (West).''
Earlier in the day, Karl had called it a "no-brainer'' Stern would select Billups.
"Chauncey Billups should, I think, feel like Obama in an presidential election,'' Karl had said. "It's, to me, a fairly lopsided vote... There are some great guards out there and, yes, (Golden State's) Monta Ellis has had a special season. I actually think (Dallas') Jason Kidd has had a special season. I think the Aaron Brooks kid (in Houston) has played great. But (Billups recently) has played better than the guys actually on the All-Star team in my mind.''
Billups, whose 19.2 scoring average through Wednesday is in line to be a career best and is averaging 6.1 assists, had said after Monday's 112-109 win over Sacramento he couldn't lose because he would be going either to the All-Star Game or on a Mexican vacation.
Follow NBA FanHouse "(Piper Billups) knows we'll get to that in the summer time sometime,'' Billups said. "She really wanted to go to Cabo but, at the same time, she's excited that I got recognized as being an All-Star as well.''
Billups will be joined in Dallas by Denver forward Carmelo Anthony, named a starter in fan voting. In Wednesday's 109-97 loss to Phoenix, Anthony missed his sixth straight game due to a sprained left ankle. He might not be back for Denver games Friday at the Los Angeles Lakers and Saturday at Utah, which might not mean he returns until Tuesday's home game against Dallas.
"(Wednesday) morning it was still sore and tender in an area,'' Karl said of the injury Anthony suffered Jan. 23. "When we saw the injury, we thought it was tough. Melo is so good with injuries that we probably got optimistically ahead of the truth, and we just have to be careful with it.''
Meanwhile, Billups was able to play against the Suns despite a sprained left ankle suffered Monday. And he had to cancel those vacation plans. His wife will have to share him All-Star Weekend.
From NBA Fanhouse
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Bulls’ Rose excused from All-Star rookie game
Watch 2010 NBA All-Star game on January 14, 2010.
Derrick Rose has been excused from the rookie challenge at All-Star weekend and will be replaced by Golden State’s Anthony Morrow.
Rose, last season’s Rookie of the Year, was selected as a reserve for the All-Star game and is competing in the skills challenge as the defending champion of the event. Because that would have meant events on three straight nights, the NBA announced Tuesday that the Chicago point guard could skip the rookie game.
Players in their first two seasons selected for the All-Star game are typically required to compete in the game between rookies and sophomores on Friday night of All-Star weekend.
Rose will defend his skills challenge title against fellow All-Stars Steve Nash of Phoenix and Deron Williams of Utah, plus rookie Brandon Jennings of Milwaukee. Rose last year became the first rookie to win the event, which is an obstacle course consisting of dribbling, passing and shooting.
Morrow is averaging 11.5 points.
From YahooSports
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Derrick Rose has been excused from the rookie challenge at All-Star weekend and will be replaced by Golden State’s Anthony Morrow.
Rose, last season’s Rookie of the Year, was selected as a reserve for the All-Star game and is competing in the skills challenge as the defending champion of the event. Because that would have meant events on three straight nights, the NBA announced Tuesday that the Chicago point guard could skip the rookie game.
Players in their first two seasons selected for the All-Star game are typically required to compete in the game between rookies and sophomores on Friday night of All-Star weekend.
Rose will defend his skills challenge title against fellow All-Stars Steve Nash of Phoenix and Deron Williams of Utah, plus rookie Brandon Jennings of Milwaukee. Rose last year became the first rookie to win the event, which is an obstacle course consisting of dribbling, passing and shooting.
Morrow is averaging 11.5 points.
From YahooSports
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