All-Star weekend music acts announced

Three-time Grammy™ Award-winning multi-platinum singer and pianist Harry Connick Jr. will join Grammy Award-winning jazz and classical saxophonist Branford Marsalis to headline an extraordinary lineup of New Orleans-themed musical performances featuring some of the biggest names in the Bayou including Jonathan Batiste, Marc Broussard, Davell Crawford, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Jonathan Dubose, Dr. John, Stephanie Jordan, Ellis Marsalis, Art Neville, Ivan Neville, Rebirth Brass Band, Kermit Ruffins, Amanda Shaw, Trombone Shorty and Allen Toussaint at NBA All-Star 2008 in New Orleans.

On Sunday, Feb. 17, Connick and Marsalis will take to the court for the 57th NBA All-Star Game at the New Orleans Arena. The Louisiana-born musicians collaborated on the evening’s performance lineup creating a unique musical set that will not only give fans a taste of New Orleans jazz, funk and blues, but will also celebrate the rebirth of their beloved hometown in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. The performances will air live on TNT, Score Canada, ESPN Radio, and in 215 countries and territories beginning at 7:30 p.m. CT/8:30 p.m. ET.

Connick will serve as musical director for an unparalleled halftime show featuring four original compositions performed by four pairs of pianists who span the spectrum of New Orleans jazz including Dr. John, Allen Toussaint, Davell Crawford, Art Neville, Ivan Neville, Jonathan Batiste, Ellis Marsalis, and Harry Connick Jr. and his Big Band.

Marsalis will serve as musical director for the highly-anticipated All-Star Player introductions featuring a set of high energy big band melodies composed by Marsalis and performed by the acclaimed Rebirth Brass Band. The performance will also feature the dynamic musical stylings of award-winning trumpeter Kermit Ruffins and Offbeat Magazine’s 2007 Performer of the Year Trombone Shorty who will introduce the Western and Eastern Conference All-Star teams. Marsalis will also direct the U.S. national anthem performance featuring vocals by Stephanie Jordan accompanied by internationally acclaimed guitarist Jonathan Dubose. Canadian R&B singer, songwriter, and actress Deborah Cox, whose 1998 hit single “Nobody’s Supposed to Be Here” held the record for the longest-running No.1 single on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip Hop chart, will perform the Canadian anthem.

“New Orleans is a vibrant music Mecca and I’m proud to call this great city my home,” said Harry Connick Jr. “Branford and I are truly grateful to the NBA for its commitment to put New Orleans and our extraordinary musicians on a global stage for the whole world to see.”

On Saturday, Feb. 16, prior to the start of All-Star Saturday Night, Louisiana-born singer songwriter Marc Broussard, who released his 2007 album S.O.S.: Save Our Soul to rave reviews, will open the night to perform his smash hit “Home” along with his band. Following this performance, the Dirty Dozen Brass Band will play during player introductions for the All-Stars. All performances will air before a nationwide audience, live on TNT at 8 p.m. ET. Following 22-year-old New Orleans trumpeter Christian Scott, whose 2007 album Anthem was inspired by Hurricane Katrina’s effect on the region, will perform the U.S. national anthem, while crooner Lamont Hiebert will perform the Canadian anthem.

That same night, legendary multi-instrumentalist Dr. John will pay tribute to NBA Cares, the league’s social responsibility initiative, with a special performance of the Louis Armstrong original hit “What a Wonderful World.” Footage from some of the hundreds of NBA Cares events, featuring current and former NBA players working in communities around the world will be thread into the performance.

On Friday, Feb. 15, 17-year-old Cajun fiddler, singer, and actress Amanda Shaw, who narrated the 2006 documentary “Hurricane on the Bayou” about the erosion of Louisiana’s wetlands, will perform the U.S. and Canadian anthems prior to the T-Mobile Rookie & Youth Jam at the New Orleans Arena. Continuing the NBA’s tradition of having “American Idol” winners perform at All-Star, 2007 winner Jordin Sparks will perform her Billboard Top 100 single “Tattoo” during halftime of the game. Both performances will air before a live audience televised on TNT at 8 p.m. CT/9 p.m. ET.

Ricky Rubio named FIBA Europe Young Men’s Player of Year

The votes are in and Spain and DKV Joventut star Ricky Rubio has been named the FIBA Europe Young Men’s Player of the Year.

Rubio won handily in a vote of both fans and an expert panel of basketball journalists, players and coaches. Milos Teodosic of Serbia and Olympiacos finished second while Marco Belinelli of Italy and the NBA’s Golden State Warriors won a close battle for third with fellow Italian Danilo Gallinari and Konstantinos Koufos of Greece.

Rubio led Spain to a fifth place finish at the Under-18 European Championship Men in August, where he averaged 19.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 4.8 assists per contest while shooting nearly 50% from behind the three-point line.

He has been playing a bigger part for club side DKV Joventut as well, averaging 12.5 points per contest, second only to last year’s Young Men’s Player of the Year Rudy Fernandez, while dishing out 3.5 assists per game.

“It’s been clear in the last few seasons that Ricard Rubio is one of the most exciting young players in Europe or any part of the world for that matter.” Said FIBA Europe President George Vassilakopoulos.

“His exploits for both country and club make him a very deserving winner.”

“I still remember his performance at the Under-16 European Championship Men two years ago (51 points, 24 rebounds and 12 assists),” commented FIBA Europe Secretary General Nar Zanolin. “I think we all knew then and there that we were watching someone special.”

The second place finisher Teodosic also had an impressive year leading Serbia to gold at the Under-20 European Championship Men and playing a significant role in the senior team’s efforts at EuroBasket 2007 in Spain.

EXACT ORDER OF FINISH:

1. Ricky Rubio, Spain
2. Milos Teodosic, Serbia
3. Marco Belinelli, Italy
4. Konstantinos Koufos, Greece
5. Danilo Gallinari, Italy
6. Milan Macvan, Serbia
7. Nicolas Batum, France
8. Alexey Shved, Russia
9. Vladimir Dasic, Montenegro
10. Mladen Jeremic, Serbia

Three-point Shootout participants

The Toronto Raptors’ Jason Kapono will defend his title in this year’s Three-Point Shootout, which will be held on Saturday, Feb. 16, at New Orleans Arena as part of NBA All-Star Saturday Night.

Kapono will attempt to become the first back-to-back winner of the Three-Point Shootout since Peja Stojakovic won the 2002 and 2003 titles.  Stojakovic will return to the competition representing the hometown New Orleans Hornets for the first time since finishing as runner-up in the 2004 competition. Stojakovic and Kapono will be joined by Western Conference starter and 10-time All-Star Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, Daniel Gibson of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Richard Hamilton of the Detroit Pistons and two-time MVP Steve Nash of the Phoenix Suns.

The players will compete in the two-round competition with the top three finishers from the first round advancing to the finals. Five shooting stations will be set up around the three-point line, with four Official Spalding NBA game balls worth one point each and one Spalding NBA All-Star 2008 commemorative teal and gold colored “money ball” worth two points at each location. Each player will have one minute to shoot as many balls as he can. In the final round, players will shoot in ascending order of first-round scores. At the discretion of the referee, television instant replay may be consulted for clarification of rules compliance.

The Three-Point Shootout will be televised live nationally as part of the NBA All-Star Saturday Night, which will also feature the Shooting Stars, Slam Dunk and Skills Challenge. TNT and ESPN Radio’s national coverage will begin at 8 p.m. ET from New Orleans Arena. The NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 17, will air live on TNT, ESPN Radio and in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.

Shaq to Suns is ‘done deal’ reports ESPN

ESPN.com reports: Diesel will be chugging out West. In one of the most improbable trades in NBA history, the Miami Heat traded Shaquille O’Neal to the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks, sources close to the situation told ESPN.com. O’Neal had traveled to Phoenix Wednesday morning to take a physical, which he presumably passed. The Miami Herald first reported on its Web site Tuesday night that the Heat informed O’Neal that they were shopping him and that talks with the Suns were serious.

Turner Sports signs Marv Albert to new multi-year deal

Basketball Hall of Fame announcer Marv Albert has re-signed with Turner Sports as their lead play-by-play voice on their TNT telecasts through the 2015-16 NBA season, coinciding with the network’s current NBA television agreement. Albert will continue to work one of TNT’s two weekly, exclusive Thursday night games, the NBA All-Star Game and Conference Finals games. In addition, beginning with the start of the 2008-09 NBA season Albert will call additional games on NBA TV, as part of Turner’s recently announced partnership with the NBA.

“Marv’s is a legendary voice in sports broadcasting and synonymous with NBA basketball, and we’re very pleased to continue our relationship with him,” said David Levy, president, Turner Sports & Turner Broadcasting Sales Inc. “Fans have identified TNT as a home for NBA coverage for 23 years, and we are happy that Marv will continue to be a signature voice for TNT, as well as extend his talents to NBA TV.”

“I’m thrilled to be calling NBA action on TNT for eight more years,” said Albert. “I have enjoyed a terrific relationship with them since 1999 and I look forward to continuing to call their marquee NBA regular season and postseason events, as well as being a part of the growth of NBA TV.”

Albert, who will call the 2008 NBA All-Star Game on TNT on Sunday, Feb. 17, joined Turner in April 1999 and has handled play-by-play for TNT’s Wimbledon coverage as well as basketball coverage at the 2001 Goodwill Games in Brisbane, Australia.

He has called nine NBA Finals series on NBC and twelve overall, calling three NBA Finals for Madison Square Garden (MSG) radio, and currently serves as the play-by-play voice of the New Jersey Nets regionally on YES Network. Albert has been the radio play-by-play voice of Monday Night Football for Westwood One since 2002. He worked for NBC Sports from 1977-1997, serving as the primary play-by-play voice for the NBA, college basketball, boxing, NFL football, NHL All-Star games and baseball studio and pre-game shows, and he rejoined NBC in 2000 for NBA coverage. He has served as the voice of the NY Knicks on MSG Network for the past 32 years, as well as radio voice of the NY Rangers for 27 years.

A 20-time “New York State Sportscaster of the Year,” he has also won six CableAce Awards as “Outstanding Play-by-Play Announcer” and was awarded the “Curt Gowdy Media Award” in 1997 by the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. Albert is also a frequent guest on The Late Show with David Letterman.

Yet another report says Suns, Heat talking trade

The Arizona Republic (Paul Coro) responds to report that Heat may trade Shaq, possibly to Suns: The Miami Herald reported tonight that the Suns are in “serious,” “ongoing” discussions to send center Shaquille O’Neal to Phoenix in exchange for forward Shawn Marion and guard Marcus Banks. Two league sources close to the situation were unaware of the report and remained skeptical of the news but another league source said the Suns have been in trade talks with Miami for the past two days. The Herald reported that O’Neal’s representatives were told to be prepared for the possibility of a trade and that Phoenix was a possibility. Dallas was also mentioned.

Report: Shaq thinks he’ll be traded

The Ap reports: Shaquille O’Neal is prepared for the Miami Heat to trade him, a confidant of the 14-time All-Star center told The Associated Press on Tuesday night. O’Neal’s associate, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to reveal anything publicly, indicated a move could be imminent. “Shaq thinks something will happen,” the associate said.

Sam Cassell talks Knicks

NY Newsday (Ken Berger) reports Sam Cassell discussing the Knicks: “New York fans are far from fair-weather fans, but if you don’t play hard for them …” Cassell said at his locker after the Clippers wasted the listless Knicks, 103-94. Cassell didn’t finish the sentence. Didn’t have to.
“They want effort,” he said. “They want guys diving on the floor for loose balls like the early ‘90s. They want guys getting at it, making it a tough basketball game. That’s what New York is all about – battling, like the Giants in the playoffs. But when they don’t see that, they tend to get discouraged. Tickets are very expensive in New York. If you’re paying $1,000 a seat, you want to see effort every night.” “They’ve got Isiah over there, their best three guys played, it pays well,” Cassell said. “Damn, what more you want? You’re playing in New York City. Damn, I wish was like eight years younger and had the opportunity to come to New York to play. Shoot, every night to play in the Garden? Damn, there’s no place like it.”

Rumor: Heat, Suns talking Shaq trade

The Miami Herald (Barry Jackson) reports: The Heat has told center Shaquille O’Neal’s representation that it is talking about trading him and he should be prepared for the possibility of a deal, according to two officials close to the situation. Phoenix has discussed sending forward Shawn Marion and point guard Marcus Banks to the Heat in return for O’Neal. Asked for confirmation, one of O’Neal’s representatives said O’Neal has been made aware that discussions with Phoenix are serious and ongoing, but that a deal was not definite. Dallas also has been mentioned as a potential destination, though the Heat had not immediately informed O’Neal of that possibility. O’Neal, 35, was shocked by the turn of events, an associate said.

The East Valley Tribune (Scott Burdow) writes: The Miami Herald is reporting that the Suns are trying to acquire center Shaquille O’Neal from the Miami Heat for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. I know this is the time for rumors, what with the NBA trading deadline on Feb. 21, but I can’t believe this is true. O’Neal is old and broken down. He would fit into Mike D’Antoni’s system about as well as  a tank on the Autobahn. Plus, he’s owed $40 million over the next two years, which would put owner Robert Sarver into luxury tax territory.

D-League All-Star team rosters

Thirteen players with NBA experience highlight the rosters for the second annual D-League All-Star Game. The game will be held Feb. 16, on Center Court at NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas and will tip off at 2 p.m. CST and will be shown live on NBA TV.

The two 10-man rosters were selected by a combination of fan balloting on D-LEAGUE.com and voting of the league’s 14 head coaches.  The Red Team will be the home team, while the Blue Team will be the visitors.

Call-Ups Eddie Gill and Billy Thomas highlight the Red Team roster.  Gill, selected first in the 2007 D-League draft by the Colorado 14ers, earned the season’s first call-up Nov. 15, when he signed with the New Jersey Nets.  He ranks among D-League leaders with 7.9 assists per game and 2.5 steals per game.  Thomas, Gill’s teammate in Colorado, earned a Dec. 24 call-up by the Nets and is among league leaders with 2.5 steals per game.

Reigning D-League Most Valuable Player Randy Livingston joins the Red Team, as does Dallas Mavericks assignee Nick Fazekas.  Fazekas is averaging 18.9 points for the Tulsa 66ers while Livingston sits atop the league’s leader board with 11.3 assists per game for the Idaho Stampede.

NBA-assigned players Morris Almond, Kyrylo Fesenko and Ian Mahinmi headline the Blue Team.  Almond and Fesenko, teammates on the Utah Jazz and their D-League affiliate Utah Flash, have both seen multiple assignments during the season.  Almond most recently joined the squad on Jan. 25, while Fesenko headed to Orem on Dec. 13.   Mahinmi is in his second stint with the Austin Toros from the Spurs.  Almond is second in the league with 26.4 points per game, while Fesenko is averaging 10.5 points and 7.0 rebounds per game.  Mahinmi ranks among the league’s best, shooting .639 (163-255).

Los Angeles D-Fenders center Jelani McCoy, Austin Toros guard Keith Langford and Fort Wayne Mad Ants guard Jeremy Richardson, all Call-Ups this season, round out the Blue Team’s roster.  McCoy, who earned a call-up from the Denver Nuggets on Nov. 29, is averaging 2.2 blocks, ranking him among the league’s best defenders, while Langford, who earned a call-up from the Spurs on Dec. 28, is averaging 24.1 points, ranking him among the league’s top five scorers.  Richardson has twice been called up this season, first by the Memphis Grizzlies on Dec. 20, and then by the San Antonio Spurs on Jan. 10.  Richardson is averaging a league-high 28.2 points to go with 6.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists, 1.4 steals and 40.8 minutes in nine games for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants.

C.J. Watson, the 100th Call-Up in league history, and member of the Golden State Warriors, was selected to the Blue Team by the fans and coaches. Since he is with the Warriors, he will be replaced on the D-League All-Star roster by NBA veteran and Bakersfield Jam guard Andre Barrett.  Watson, who played 16 games for the Rio Grande Valley Vipers before earning a call-up from the Warriors on Jan. 8, had his NBA contract renewed through the end of the 2007-08 season.

Nine additional D-League standouts will compete in the All-Star Game, including three D-League Player of the Month and D-League.com Performer of the Week honorees.  The Red Team will include Lance Allred (Idaho), Elton Brown (Colorado), Kaniel Dickens (Colorado), Dwayne Mitchell (Iowa), Kasib Powell (Sioux Falls), and Cory Violette (Idaho). The Blue Team will include Sean Banks (Los Angeles), Rod Benson (Dakota) and Carlos Powell (Dakota).

The Red Team will be coached by Idaho Stampede (22-5, .814) head coach Bryan Gates and his assistant Ray Lopes, while the Blue Team will be helmed by Los Angeles D-Fenders (18-8, .692) head coach Dan Panaggio and his assistant Chucky Brown.  Both coaches were selected based on their teams having the highest winning percentage by Jan. 31.  Prior to the game, Gates and Panaggio will choose starting lineups for their respective teams.

RED TEAM ALL-STAR ROSTER

Pos. Player (Team) Ht. Wt. Birthdate College

G Eddie Gill (Colorado) 6-1 180 08/16/1978 Weber State
G Randy Livingston (Idaho) 6-4 210 04/02/1975 Louisiana State
G Dwayne Mitchell (Iowa) 6-5 210 08/24/1982 Louisiana-Lafayette
G Billy Thomas (Colorado) 6-5 220 12/23/1975 Kansas
F Kaniel Dickens (Colorado) 6-8 235 07/21/1978 Idaho
F Elton Brown (Colorado) 6-9 250 09/09/1983 Virginia
F Nick Fazekas (Tulsa) 6-11 211 06/17/1985 Nevada
F Kasib Powell (Sioux Falls) 6-7 215 03/18/1981 Texas Tech
F Cory Violette (Idaho) 6-9 255 03/13/1982 Gonzaga
C Lance Allred (Idaho) 6-11 250 02/02/1981 Weber State

Head Coach: Bryan Gates (Idaho)
Assistant Coach: Ray Lopes (Idaho)
Athletic Trainer: Kevin Taylor (Idaho)
Honorary Captain: Rick Barry

BLUE TEAM ALL-STAR ROSTER

Pos. Player (Team) Ht. Wt. Birthdate College
G Morris Almond (Utah) 6-6 225 02/02/1985 Rice
G Andre Barrett (Bakersfield) 5-10 173 02/21/1982 Seton Hall
G Keith Langford (Austin) 6-4 215 09/15/1983 Kansas
G CJ Watson (Rio Grande Valley) * 6-2 180 04/17/1984 Tennessee
F  Sean Banks (Los Angeles) 6-8 210 01/20/1985 Memphis
F Rod Benson (Dakota) 6-10 225 10/10/1984 California
F Carlos Powell (Dakota) 6-7 220 08/29/1983 South Carolina
F Jeremy Richardson (Ft. Wayne) 6-7 190 02/11/1983 Delta State
C Kyrylo Fesenko (Utah) 7-1 288 12/24/1986 Ukraine
C Ian Mahinmi (Austin) 6-11 230 11/05/1986 France
C Jelani McCoy (Los Angeles) 6-10 245 12/06/1977 UCLA

Head Coach: Dan Panaggio (Los Angeles)
Assistant Coach: Chucky Brown (Los Angeles
Athletic Trainer: Marco Nunez (Los Angeles)
Honorary Captain: Lenny Wilkens

* Watson will be replaced by Andre Barrett due to his active status with the Golden State Warriors.