Pelicans’ Davis ready to play and ‘coach’ for Team LeBron
New Orleans Pelicans center Anthony Davis corrected questions presuming his absence from today’s All-Star Game.
Davis, who was sidelined by a shoulder contusion this week, said he might do a little bit of coaching but plans to be in uniform and play today for Team LeBron.
Davis also clarified Saturday that the Boston Celtics are on his list of preferred destinations. Multiple reports indicated there was a short list of teams to which Davis would accept a trade. Davis said there are “29” teams on his list — every team but the Pelicans.
“I never said they weren’t on my list,” Davis said of the Celtics.
JAMES, DURANT CHEER KAEPERNICK >> LeBron James and Kevin Durant applauded former 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick for resolving a standoff with the league over collusion claims in a settlement announced on Friday.
“It’s important to stick up for what you believe in. I stand with Kaep. I kneel with Kaep,” James said. “I feel what he was talking about, nobody wanted to listen to. Nobody ever wanted to really actually understand where he was coming from. Anybody that would sacrifice their livelihood for the better of all of us, I could respect that. He’s done that. You got a guy that basically lost his job because he wanted to stand for something that was more than just him.
Durant said he wants all players to be able to voice their opinions without fear of media and fan backlash.
“A lot of people don’t agree with what Kaep is doing, but I do, and I’m going to stand behind him,” Durant said.
DURANT FIELDS MORE QUESTIONS >> Hordes of reporters surrounded Durant’s interview table, mostly because they wanted to ask questions on topics he would rather avoid discussing.
What does he make of the speculation that he will leave the Warriors following this summer as a free agent?
“I don’t know, that’s on them,” Durant said. “I’ll figure it out once we’re done playing.”
What does Durant think of the Knicks trading Kristaps Porzingis to the Dallas Mavericks presumably to clear cap space for him this summer?
“I play basketball for the Warriors,” Durant said. “My main concern is to be the best basketball player I can be. I have no concerns about trade moves or transactions throughout the season with other teams. That does not concern me at all.” BOSTON’S TATUM HAS SKILLS >> Celtics forward Jayson Tatum has two wins this weekend. Tatum won the skills challenge with a game-winning shot two strides over halfcourt, taking down Hawks rookie point guard Trae Young.
On Friday night, Tatum scored 30 points and finished as runner-up in the MVP voting to the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kyle Kuzma in the Rising Stars game. ROOKIE WINS DUNK CONTEST >> Rookie Hamidou Diallo showed off his imagination and 44-inch vertical leap to claim the slam dunk contest. The Oklahoma City Thunder guard needed a 43 to win on his second and last dunk of the finals to beat New York Knicks guard Dennis Smith Jr. for the crown. Diallo called on rapper Quavo to hold the ball just above his head, sprinted from the right corner of the court and crammed a walk-off, two-hand jam. The dunk received a 45.
IRVING ENJOYING WEEKEND >> The sprained right knee that has sidelined Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving hasn’t kept him from enjoying his time for All-Star weekend.
And it appears it won’t keep him from playing in today’s main event.
In announcing his intention to play in the game, Irving said he wouldn’t if he had any doubts about his rehab.
“There’s not too many chances you get to be around Kawhi Leonard, being around KD (Kevin Durant) and have a starting lineup like we do. That was on my mind, but it didn’t factor going in to taking care of my health and making sure I’m good to play,” Irving said.
Celtics general manager Danny Ainge said recently that Irving is close to returning and that if the star guard deems himself well enough to play today, then Ainge doesn’t have a problem with it.
“I totally trust Kyrie that he will not play if he’s not healthy,” Ainge told reporters. “I have all the trust in him in his decisions.”