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Unclear if Celtics will make moves before trade deadline

Here’s ESPN Boston reporting on the Celtics:

Celtics could make moves before trade deadline

The Celtics will reconvene for practice on Wednesday evening in Sacramento. The biggest question is whether the same group on the court that day will be on the floor for a second offday workout after the trade deadline passes on Thursday.

After Boston traded away Rajon Rondo and Jeff Green earlier in the season, many expected Danny Ainge to move the rest of the team’s veterans before the deadline. But with Stevens and his players making a public pitch for continuity, it makes you wonder if Ainge might take the cautious approach. Now, if a team comes along offering a first-round pick for Brandon Bass or Marcus Thornton, Ainge should run not walk to the checkout line. But there seems little reason at this point to settle for a mid-to-late second-round pick when the Celtics are likely to have to take back salary to complete a swap.

With a couple of potential lingering logjams, it could benefit Boston to move one of their veterans. And it’ll be interesting to see what happens with Tayshaun Prince, who has acknowledged from the time he arrived here that all options remain in play with his future.

NYPD beats FDNY in New York Heroes basketball game

Here’s the New York Daily News reporting on a fun New York police vs fire department basketball game that took place during All-Star weekend:

Boomer Esiason, head coach of the FDNY’s basketball team, let it be known that he was concerned about his rivals offering Police Benevolent Association cards to the officials prior to tipoff of the game against the NYPD at the Barclay’s Center Sunday.

As it turned out, it was the police officers’ quick hands that proved more problematic.

New York’s Finest downed the Bravest, 40-33, in the New York Heroes Game. Guard Kenyatta Brown from the Housing Authority Police Service Area 3 led the cops with 11 points, and guard Joseph Alohan, from the 70th Precinct, employed aggressive defense to limit Muggsy Bogues, a hydrant-size former NBA guard, as he probed the police’s defense.

Kevin Durant is getting sick of reporters

Here’s the Oklahoman reporting on Thunder star Kevin Durant, who appears to be getting annoyed by a bunch of reporters these days (he’s perfectly friendly to InsideHoops.com, though. Just saying.)

Kevin Durant is making his feelings about the media clear at All-Star Weekend.

On Friday morning, Durant made national headlines when he expressed his opinion about the media having too much power in selecting postseason NBA awards.

On Saturday, he took things a step further when asked about rampant speculation surrounding Thunder coach Scott Brooks’ job security.

“You guys really don’t know (expletive),” Durant told reporters in his final interview session before Sunday’s All-Star Game.

Durant was later asked what stories he would like the media to focus on more.

“To be honest, man, I’m only here talking to y’all because I have to,” Durant said. “So I really don’t care. Y’all not my friends. You’re going to write what you want to write. You’re going to love us one day and hate us the next. That’s a part of it. So I just learn how to deal with y’all.”

Victor Oladipo scores 22 in Rising Stars loss

Here’s the Orlando Sentinel reporting on Magic guard Victor Oladipo, who shot just 8-of-21 for 22 points in a losing effort on All-Star Friday:

The last thing Victor Oladipo expected when he elevated for a layup just four minutes into the Rising Stars Challenge exhibition Friday night was for an opposing player to challenge the shot and commit a hard foul.

But Rudy Gobert jumped for a block attempt, and Gobert’s right arm hit Oladipo so hard that Oladipo lost his balance in midair and — in a split second that had to frighten the Orlando Magic executives inside Barclays Center — fell directly onto his rear end.

“Crazy!” Oladipo exclaimed after Gobert and Giannis Antetokounmpo lifted him off the court.

Oladipo wasn’t hurt, but the moment still jarred him. It jolted him so much that he went on to score 22 points as his U.S. team lost to the World squad 121-112.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope unleashes brickfest in Rising Stars game

Here’s Michigan Live reporting on All-Star Friday night:

Detroit Pistons guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had a tough shooting night and his USA team lost 121-112 to the World team in Friday’s BBVA Rising Stars Challenge.

The game for the NBA’s top rookies and second-year players was played at Barclays Center in New York as part of the All-Star festivities.

Caldwell-Pope, a second-year guard from Georgia, scored eight points on 3-of-15 shooting.

Chandler Parsons says Mavs need to start beating elite teams

The Dallas Mavericks are 36-19, which is the 7th best record in the NBA this season. But they’re just 4-6 in their division, and a modest 18-14 against other Western conference teams. In other words, the Eastern conference has provided a nice assist to their win-loss record. Here’s the Dallas Morning News reporting:

Key numbers for the Mavericks at the All-Star break include 3-12, their record against the other seven playoff teams in the Western Conference.

For those who don’t think that’s important because the Mavericks went 3-10 after Jan. 1 in 2011 against the other West playoff teams, then marched through the postseason to the NBA title, remember that lightning has a difficult time striking twice in the same place.

So as the Mavericks look at their state of the union, they know the reality of their situation. They can’t assume that things will change against the best teams in the West when the stakes rise.

They need to prove it.

“You’d probably take it, but we’re not happy with it, which I think is a good sign,” Chandler Parsons said of the Mavericks’ 36-19 record at the break. “We’re not content with where we are right now. We want to be better. We want to be a top-tier team, and to do that, we have to start beating these elite teams.”

Carmelo Anthony finds himself in a tough situation

Here’s the New York Post reporting on the banged-up and possibly soon to be shut down star of the 10-43 Knicks, Carmelo Anthony:

In his latest flip-flop, Anthony backtracked slightly on his impending shutdown, saying he’s not “100 percent’’ sure he is finished after Sunday, and still has to talk to Knicks officials on whether he will play against Miami Friday at the Garden. Eventually, Anthony will need surgery on tendon damage in his left knee.

Anthony said it was “important” to represent the Knicks Sunday for the team’s fans.

“It’s like a damned-if-you-do, damned-if-you-don’t situation,” Anthony said. “Because if I would have said I’m not participating, I’d have gotten backlash about it. I’m saying I’m participating, I get backlash. I’m happy. I’m here participating. It’s here in New York. The fans voted me in and I’m going to play in the game.’’

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook doing big off-court things

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook doing big off-court things

Here’s the Oklahoman reporting on Thunder stars Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, who are stars on the court but also in the world of marketing and sponsorship opportunities:

In addition to his NBA responsibilities, Durant served as host of an outdoor concert with Kanye West as the headliner Thursday night, was the guest of honor at a Manhattan shoe store Friday afternoon as part of his partnership with Nike and had Good Morning America Weekend host Paula Faris riding along with him nearly every step of the way for a feature that is scheduled to air Sunday. Westbrook, meanwhile, took part in a Wall Street Journal subscriber event, made an appearance at Barneys New York, home to his clothing line and filmed a promotional spot for an upcoming major motion picture.

Westbrook is quickly shooting up the list of the NBA’s most sought after players. In addition to his clothing line, Westbrook XO, and his signature eyewear, Westbrook Frames, he also has a signature Jordan Brand shoe set to release in June. Westbrook also has partnered with Subway, U.S. Cellular, Mountain Dew, Zenith Watches, True Religion, Six Star Pro Nutrition and King and Jaxs, a designer underwear company. He’s also endorsed Ozarka Water and BancFirst.

When entering league, LeBron James did expect to participate in NBA Dunk contest

Here’s NBA.com’s Blog reporting on long-running debate about LeBron James and top NBA stars in general tending to avoid entering the league’s Slam Dunk contest:

The list of accomplishments a dozen seasons into his career is longer than LeBron James’ arm — two NBA championships, five trips to The Finals, four MVP awards.

But not one time in the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest.

“When I first came into the league, I expected that I would do it,” James said at Friday’s All-Star Weekend media day. “I did. I did for sure. But it just never happened. I don’t know why. There was times when I wanted to do it and didn’t do it and there was times when I just didn’t really care about it too much. But it definitely would have been pretty cool to do.”

Two-time Slam Dunk champion (1985 and ’90) Dominique Wilkins, who squared off against Michael Jordan and every other big name of his day, doesn’t criticize today’s marquee stars. But Wilkins does admit that he doesn’t understand their reluctance to participate in the event.

LeBron James elected VP of Players Union

LeBron James elected VP of Players Union

Here’s Yahoo Sports reporting that LeBron James has accepted much more responsibility in a league-wide role working on behalf of all players:

LeBron James was elected first vice president of the National Basketball Players Association on Friday, moving him into the union’s second-most powerful leadership position beneath president Chris Paul, league sources told Yahoo Sports.

Paul had been pushing James to join him in a senior position on the NBPA’s executive committee for several months, and James made himself a candidate for Friday’s union meeting in New York, sources said. The NBPA’s player representatives voted on the new executive committee members in a meeting on Friday afternoon, sources said.