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Posted by Kosmo (208.191.252.68) on February 09, 19101 at 23:49:12:
*** Davis, Mason, Garnett to fill in as All-Star starters
WASHINGTON (AP) - Toronto's Antonio Davis, Miami's Anthony Mason
and Minnesota's Kevin Garnett were chosen as starters for
Sunday's NBA All-Star Game, replacing players who can't play.
Davis and Mason will open for the Eastern Conference team in
place of Miami's Alonzo Mourning and Orlando's Grant Hill, both
out for the season but voted as starters in the fan balloting.
Garnett will start for the Western Conference team, replacing
Shaquille O'Neal, the Los Angeles Lakers' center, who has a foot
injury. The new starters were chosen by the coaches --
Philadelphia's Larry Brown for the East and Sacramento's Rick
Adelman for the West. "This is just because of positions," Brown
said of his selections. "We don't have a lot of size, but because
of their starting lineup, that's probably the appropriate thing
to do. I don't feel comfortable picking anybody -- they all
deserve it."
Full article at: http://www.infobeat.com/fullArticle?article=406122927
*** NBA owners, players want to mend remaining rift
WASHINGTON (AP) - Two years removed from an acrimonious lockout,
NBA players and owners figure they would be better off if they
get along better. Michael Jordan was one of the ownership
representatives as a half-dozen men from each side huddled with
commissioner David Stern on Friday and agreed to work together to
try to solve the league's problems. "We talked about all of the
issues that concern us, from the age of players to player
perception. It was a great step for us to take to come together,"
said Orlando Magic forward Pat Garrity, the secretary-treasurer
of the union. "The thing that we're going to need to focus on is
not just damage control, but also the good things we have going."
Among the topics covered in the 2 1/2-hour meeting at the start
of All-Star weekend: the overall quality of the game, player-fan
interaction, and the players' image.
Full article at: http://www.infobeat.com/fullArticle?article=406125042
*** Competition committee discusses rules changes
WASHINGTON (AP) - A 20-second shot clock, the elimination of
illegal defense rules and other radical adjustments were among
the proposed rules changes discussed Friday by the NBA's
competition committee. "We don't have a plan right now, but we're
going to continue to attack the issue," NBA vice president of
operations Stu Jackson said. "What we don't want to do is
something knee-jerk and be in a situation where we make changes
that would be detrimental to the game." Admitting that many
offenses have become too dependent on isolation plays, Jackson
said the league is determined to fix the problem. No
recommendations were issued, although the committee plans to meet
again in June. Any rules changes would have to be approved by the
league's Board of Governors.
Full article at: http://www.infobeat.com/fullArticle?article=406124412
*** Webber ponders fate as Kings wait
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - If Chris Webber walks out on Sacramento
this summer, at least one die-hard Kings fan with a front-row
seat won't take it personally. "He's been so great for this
franchise," Kings owner Joe Maloof said. "No matter what happens,
we've already had a great time with him here. That can't be taken
away." In the middle of his best season and at the center of a
dynamic team built around his talents, Webber's life is all
promise and anticipation these days. Averaging a career-high 27.3
points and 11.4 rebounds, the power forward will start for the
Western Conference in Sunday's All-Star game in Washington. Soon,
Webber will become the most coveted free agent since the lockout.
He says only then will he decide whether Sacramento, the place of
his basketball rebirth and the best times of his career, will
become more than just another stop on his checkered journey
through the NBA.
Full article at: http://www.infobeat.com/fullArticle?article=406124781
*** Lab tests confirm Suns' Robinson was drunk
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. (AP) - Lab tests show that Phoenix Suns forward
Clifford Robinson was legally intoxicated when he was pulled over
and arrested and had a small amount of marijuana in his
possession. Robinson had a blood-alcohol level of 0.146, said
Scottsdale police spokesman Scott Reed. Arizona's DUI limit is
0.10. Tests also confirmed a foil packet found in Robinson's
Porsche contained a small amount of marijuana, less than a gram,
Reed said. Traces of marijuana were found in the car's ash tray
and in a pipe discovered in the car as well. Robinson was
arrested for investigation of DUI and possession of marijuana
Monday. Police said they stopped Robinson because he was speeding
and weaving on the road. A police report the next day said
Robinson told police he had smoked marijuana on the evening he
was arrested and acknowledged having a couple of beers.
*** ALL-STAR NOTEBOOK: No-show Kobe gets a fine
WASHINGTON (AP) - Reluctant All-Star Kobe Bryant was fined
$10,000 by the NBA for missing Friday's media day. Bryant and Los
Angeles Lakers teammate Shaquille O'Neal were the only no-shows
for the annual mass gathering with reporters. Bryant said
Wednesday he wanted to skip Sunday's All-Star game because of a
sore right shoulder, but said he'll play because he doesn't want
to risk being suspended. He was schedule to arrive in Washington
late Friday. O'Neal has already pulled out with a strained right
foot, but he is in town this weekend making public appearances. A
decision on whether to fine O'Neal for missing media day was
"under review," according to an NBA spokesman.
CLIPPERS BEAT LAKERS! What's this? An NBA All-Star weekend with
more Clippers than Lakers? That's right. There are four Los
Angeles Clippers taking part, while Bryant is the only
representative of the Los Angeles Lakers -- and he didn't really
want to come. True, none of the Clippers will be playing in the
big game Sunday, but Lamar Odom, Darius Miles and Quentin
Richardson are in Saturday's rookie-sophomore game, while Corey
Maggette is in the slam dunk contest. "We're proud. That's the
reason I wore my Clippers T-shirt today," said Odom, who might
have been ridiculed for such attire in the past. "Hopefully we
can make this a tradition." Maggette said he hoped the big
Clippers contingent will make for good advertising. "We're just
trying to get our name out there," Maggette said. "Maybe we'll
get some free agents."
WHO NEEDS PRACTICE? The top prize for 2ball, the shooting contest
that pairs an NBA player with a WNBA player, is $25,000.
Apparently that's not enough to send the participants scurrying
to the gym to practice. Natalie Williams of the Utah Starzz said
she and partner Byron Russell of the Utah Jazz have developed a
strategy, but they haven't tested it much. "We practiced one
day," said Williams, who won the event with now-retired Utah
guard Jeff Hornacek last year. "But we've been mentally
practicing, which is more important." Washington Mystics guard
Nikki McCray, teamed with Wizards guard Richard Hamilton for the
Saturday event, found a similar way to downplay practice. "We
haven't practiced," McCray said. "It's not about practice. It's
about strategy and getting into rhythm."
In 2ball, the players take turns shooting for 60 seconds from any
of seven designated spots on the floor. Eight teams are
participating, and the two teams with the most points face each
other in the final round.
A SPREE MAN: Latrell Sprewell was expecting bad news when he
heard Jeff Van Gundy was at the door. "At first I thought it was
a trade or something going on," said Sprewell, recalling a recent
visit by his New York Knicks coach. Actually, Van Gundy was
dropping by to tell Sprewell he'd made the All-Star game as an
injury replacement. It was a surprise to Sprewell, who still has
a lawsuit pending against the league over his suspension for
choking P.J. Carlesimo when the two were with the Golden State
Warriors four years ago. "Once he told me I made the team,"
Sprewell said, "I had some relief."
TEAMMATE VS. TEAMMATE: One of the unique features of Saturday's
rookies-vs.-sophomores game is that it turns teammates into foes.
Chicago forward Elton Brand, for example, is on the team of
second-year players, while Bulls guard Khalid El-Amin will line
up with the rookies. "I've been talking to him a lot," Brand
said. "I told him, 'Don't come in that lane.' He's coming down
like everybody else." Ditto for sophomore Odom of the Los Angeles
Clippers, who has been trash-talking this week with rookie
teammates Miles and Richardson. "They got me feeling cocky right
now," Odom said, "because that's the way I've got to feel playing
against those guys. That's the way they feel. I'm going to go
after them as much as I can."
NO RESPECT: Charlotte's David Wesley, competing in Saturday's
2ball competition, said his Hornets team doesn't get the respect
it deserves. "Charlotte wins -- no highlights. One highlight,"
Wesley said. "You get Baron (Davis) dunking the ball, that's it."
Wesley said teammate Jamal Mashburn should've been added to the
team to replace one of the injured players, such as Alonzo
Mourning. "Mash has been putting up numbers like crazy for us,"
Wesley said. "Even when 'Zo does go down, he doesn't get
mentioned. If we were on TV more, they could see Mash was putting
up the numbers."
AH, PARIS!: The international press corps shows up in force for
All-Star weekend, with players fielding all sorts of unusual
questions from reporters representing every place from Thailand
to Toronto. At Friday's media day, one French crew asked players
to name the first thing they did after getting up in the morning.
Elton Brand and Steve Francis had the same answer: Turn on the
TV.
*** All-Stars: Good players from good teams in good weather
WASHINGTON (AP) - Michael Jordan is the host. Shaquille O'Neal
isn't playing. Alonzo Mourning and Grant Hill haven't been on the
court in months.
So much for the biggest star of the last generation and three of
the biggest names of the current one.
As for what remains, the NBA hopes there's still enough to make
the 50th All-Star game intriguing to a public that seems to have
lost interest.
Will people tune in at 6:36 p.m. ET Sunday to see the best of the
rest of the new generation of stars? Or will they tune out the
likes of Kobe Bryant, Kevin Garnett, Allen Iverson and Latrell
Sprewell because they haven't really connected with the NBA since
Jordan hung up his sneakers almost three years ago?
In a way, it'll be another barometer All-Star game for a league
still working its way through the middle stages of a post-Jordan,
post-dynasty comedown.
The bad news is that O'Neal and Theo Ratliff won't play because
of injuries. Nor will Hill and Mourning, who were voted in as
starters by fans despite being out for the season.
The good news is that Bryant and Vince Carter will play, their
nagging injuries notwithstanding. Bryant really didn't want to
come and was threatened with a five-game suspension if he tried
to weasel his way out.
Full article at: http://www.infobeat.com/fullArticle?article=406124874
*** Young dunkers go to rim in All-Star contest
WASHINGTON (AP) - Baron Davis might do a backflip before
ascending to the rim. Then again he might just use a blindfold or
hurdle another player on his way to the basket.
Corey Maggette is brushing up on the "Super Maggette." Stay
tuned.
DeShawn Stevenson won a high school dunk contest just a year ago
and now at 19, he's got some new material. He just won't reveal
the name of his special dunk -- unless he wins.
The neophytes have taken over the NBA All-Star dunk contest.
Vince Carter's knee is too sore to defend the title he won a year
ago with some spectacular air-defying moves that even had the
judges jumping out of their seats.
Forgive Carter, but he's a little like everyone else as far as
this year's field.
"I don't even know who is in it. I don't want to know," Carter
said Friday.
"Of course I'll be watching, why wouldn't I? Just like if I was
in it, I'd we watching. I'm still a fan of it."
Full article at: http://www.infobeat.com/fullArticle?article=406125126