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Russell Westbrook wins 2015 All-Star MVP

Russell Westbrook wins 2015 All-Star MVP

Here’s the New York Daily News reporting on Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, who went nuts in the 2015 NBA All-Star exhibition and won the game’s MVP award:

The Thunder point guard scored 41 points in the Western Conference’s 163-158 victory at the Garden, highlighted by an alley-oop dunk that left Westbrook rubbing his head because he knocked it on the bottom of the backboard. With his final free throw just before the buzzer, Westbrook surpassed Michael Jordan’s 40-point performance in the 1988 game. He couldn’t quite catch Wilt Chamberlain’s 42-point record from 1962.

But clearly, he’s in elite company. The upstaged LeBron James was impressed.

“He’s unbelievable. He’s an unbelievable talent in our league. His motor, his athleticism, his demeanor about how he approaches the game, it’s all great,” said James, who led the East with 30 points. “And it’s great for our league. And he showed that tonight, showcased it on the big stage.”

Knicks, Amare Stoudemire agree to buyout

Report: Knicks, Amare Stoudemire agree to buyout

Here’s the New York Daily News reporting that the Knicks and Amar’e Stoudemire have agreed to go their separate ways:

Amar’e Stoudemire’s days in New York are over but he could find a new home by the end of the week.

A league source told the Daily News that Stoudemire and the Knicks formally reached a buyout prior to Sunday’s All Star Game and that the six-time All Star, who should clear waivers by Wednesday, could be in a new uniform by the time the league resume on Thursday.

Several teams in the Western Conference are expected to pursue Stoudemire, who would be a solid addition to a playoff team as a reserve. The Dallas Mavericks have already been mentioned as a possible destination. Two others clubs in the West that could be in the running are San Antonio and Golden State.

Jimmy Butler plays limited minutes in 2015 All-Star game

Jimmy Butler plays limited minutes in 2015 All-Star game

Here’s ESPN Chicago reporting on Jimmy Butler (Bulls), who played in the 2015 All-Star game but only got limited court time as he’s dealing with an injury:

Butler played only nine minutes and scored six points as he continued to be limited by a right shoulder strain that kept him out of Thursday night’s game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Butler said he spoke to Eastern Conference head coach Mike Budenholzer before the game about limiting his minutes and acknowledged that his shoulder felt “all right” after playing for the first time in almost a week.

“I wish I was 100 percent healthy so I could do a lot more,” Butler said. “But it was fun.”

For a player whose career has been defined in large part by his defensive accomplishments, Butler admitted that it was tough to be in a game in which defense was looked down upon.

“A few of my guys was like, ‘Yo, chill. Don’t do all of that,'” Butler said. “So I couldn’t be the player that I am.”

Stephen Curry very happy to win 3-point contest

Stephen Curry very happy to win 3-point contest

The NBA’s three-point contest at All-Star weekend may just be an exhibition that exists purely for fun, but Warriors guard Stephen Curry wanted that championship and was pumped to finally claim it. Here’s the San Francisco Chronicle reporting:

Stephen Curry was so salty about losing in the three-point competition the first three times he participated that he actually reviewed game tape of past winners before entering Saturday night’s competition at the Barclays Center.

After seeing that the majority of those who won before him had approached the ball racks with the right sides of their bodies, the Warriors’ point guard made the adjustment for an epic Three-Point Contest and set an NBA record by putting up 27 points in the championship round.

“I’m very happy right now,” Curry said. “I wanted to win it and get it done. Thankfully, I was able to accomplish that.

“It was a crazy, competitive and high-class field of eight shooters. I think this is the best field that’s ever been in a three-point shootout, so it’s a pretty cool moment for me.”

John Wall shows understanding of media

John Wall shows understanding of media

Here’s CSN Washington reporting on Wizards guard John Wall, who continues to rise as a star on the court while saying the right things when no game-clock is running:

The surliness rising to the surface with Kevin Durant, particularly when it comes to his comments about the media this weekend, isn’t as much of a surprise as some think. He’s just finally being honest. That’s good for him, but he’d benefit by taking a page from Wizards point guard John Wall, who has dealt with far more criticism and ridicule during his five-year career and doesn’t pout and rant about it.

“I think they do a great job. Sometimes media have to make their stories. Sometimes they’re going to have to say bad things, they’re going to say negative things but that’s part of their job,” Wall explained during Friday’s session. “It’s like us on the basketball court, sometimes you’re going to have good games, sometimes you’re going to have bad games.”

A reporter had just asked Wall if media criticism causes trust issues: “No, some players don’t trust other players neither. It’s all about you. You can build a friendship with them but understand it’s a business they have to do so if they make a bad story you can’t get mad at those guys for doing their job.”

Adam Silver likes plan for new Warriors arena in San Francisco

Here’s the San Francisco Chronicle reporting on the Warrior and their plans for a future new arena in San Francisco:

Fresh off his trip to the Bay Area this month, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said Saturday that the Warriors are “on track” to build a new arena for the 2018-19 season and praised the franchise’s latest plans for the state-of-the-art facility in San Francisco.

“In San Francisco, I’ve seen the plans, and I’ve sat with the ownership there,” said Silver, who attended the Warriors’ 128-114 victory over Dallas on Feb. 4. “I think it looks fantastic. It’s an incredible undertaking to build a new arena in San Francisco. They intend to privately finance it. I think that’s an incredible contribution on the part of these owners.

“It always amazes me in this day and age when there aren’t great, state-of-the-art arenas in any major city, because these are multiuse facilities. Basketball is, of course, 41 regular-season dates and some preseason. Hopefully, in the case of the Golden State Warriors this year, there will be a lot of playoff dates. But the majority of the dates are used for other programming in the community, whether it’s the circus, ice shows, graduations, concerts, you name it.”

Paul Millsap still plays with chip on shoulder

Here’s the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporting on a two-time NBA All-Star who knows that he’s got to stay focused and keep that edge to build upon his success. Or, to put it another way, Millsap knows people still doubt his stardom and he wants to shut those fools up:

Paul Millsap is now a two-time NBA All-Star. Yet, he admits there is still a chip on his shoulder.

No amount of success, personal or team-related, is about to knock it off.

“Let’s be honest. There are a lot of doubters still out there,” Millsap said. “But within yourself, you have to find different ways to motivate yourself. I will never be satisfied. I will always strive to get better.”

Millsap has made gigantic strides improving on an already steady career. He has made the All-Star team in both of his seasons with the Hawks. He never made it in his first seven seasons with the Jazz. Millsap credits the Hawks’ offensive system that has allowed him to pull back the curtain and expose his full game.

Gasol vs Gasol in All-Star game tonight

Here’s ESPN Chicago with a look at one of the most interesting storylines heading into tonight’s 2015 All-Star game, that Pau Gasol starts for the East while his brother Marc Gasol starts for the West:

The basketball world is caught up in the Gasol vs. Gasol storyline heading into Sunday night’s All-Star Game.

Even the king.

“I think it’s amazing,” Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star LeBron James said, in regard to the fact that both Pau and Marc Gasol will be starting in Sunday’s game.

“I think it’s so awesome. I think it’s so cool, for the first time in our history, we see two brothers face off against each other in the All-Star Game. They’re great, both of them, Pau and Marc. They’re unbelievable, and I’m happy to be a part of it.”

That seems to be the sentiment around the league. As the Gasol brothers continue to answer questions about their accomplishments from journalists all over the world, especially a crush from Spain that has chronicled their every move, it’s been interesting to listen to other All-Stars’ reactions about what the Gasols have accomplished.

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.