Changes to All-Star Game: Captains will pick teams
NEW YORK» The NBA is scrapping the East vs. West format for its All-Star Game and will have captains pick teams this season.
The league said Tuesday the two starters with the highest fan vote totals from each conference will choose teams from the pool of players who were voted as starters and reserves.
The change will begin with this season’s game in Los Angeles on Feb. 18.
Players and league officials have been eager to inject new interest in the often defense-absent game, and they decided to act after another dull affair last February in New Orleans.
“I’m thrilled with what the players and the league have done to improve the All-Star Game, which has been a priority for all of us,” National Basketball Players Association president Chris Paul of the Houston Rockets said in a statement. “We’re looking forward to putting on an entertaining show in LA.”
The sides worked closely — with Charlotte owner Michael Jordan, chairman of the league’s Labor Relations Committee, heavily involved in the conversations — and chose a format that has been used by the NFL and NHL for what will be the first NBA All-Star Game that doesn’t pit the Eastern Conference against the Western Conference.
The 10 starters will continue to be chosen by a combination of fan, player and media balloting, with the coaches from each conference then selecting the 14 reserves. The captains will then draft their teams at an undetermined time — making certain that those chosen starters are split up so they remain starters.
The teams will play for charity. They will select either a Los Angeles-area or national organization for donations to go.
Morris twins acquitted.
A Phoenix jury acquitted NBA players Marcus and Markieff Morris in their aggravated assault trial .
The twin brothers were accused of helping three other people beat 36-yearold Erik Hood in January 2015 outside a high school basketball game in Phoenix.
At that time, the brothers played for the Phoenix Suns. Marcus now plays for the Boston Celtics and Markieff is with the Washington Wizards.
Ball, Ingram injured.
CALI F.» Lonzo Ball (mild ankle sprain) and Brandon Ingram (head) did not practice on Tuesday and their statuses will be updated on Wednesday before the Lakers play the Nuggets.
Ball landed on Denver point guard Emmanuel Mudiay’s foot near the end of the first half on Monday and started the second half but came away with a mild left ankle sprain. Ingram bumped his head during the Nuggets’ 113-107 victory over the Lakers late Monday night and was scheduled to meet with a physician on Tuesday to be examined further.
Garry Harris led the Nuggets with 25 points.