NBA All-Star Game format is changed; captains will pick teams
NEW YORK » The NBA is scrapping the East vs. West format for its AllStar 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.
Powell Jobs to buy stake in Wizards, Capitals
WASHINGTON » Billionaire executive Laurene Powell Jobs has agreed to buy a 20 percent stake in Ted Leonsis’ Monumental & Entertainment.
A spokeswoman for Monumental confirmed to The Associated Press that there is an agreement in place with Powell Jobs pending approval from the NBA and NHL. Monumental owns the Washington Wizards, Capitals, Mystics and the Arena Football League’s Washington Valor and Baltimore Brigade.
Powell Jobs, widow of former Apple co-founder and CEO Steve Jobs, is a philanthropist and entrepreneur and president of the Emerson Collective. A spokeswoman for Powell Jobs declined comment. Sports
Lakers’ Ball misses practice with sprained ankle
EL SEGUNDO » Los Angeles Lakers rookie Lonzo Ball has missed practice after mildly spraining his left ankle in a preseason game.
Ball sat out of Tuesday’s workout along with Brandon Ingram, who bumped his head during the same preseason game Monday against Denver.
Coach Luke Walton said Ball will be re-evaluated Wednesday before the Lakers determine whether the No. 2 overall pick will play against the Nuggets in Ontario, California, that night.
Marcus and Markieff Morris acquitted
PHOENIX » A Phoenix jury acquitted NBA players Marcus and Markieff Morris in their aggravated assault trial Tuesday.
The Morris brothers have been on trial for the past two weeks on charges that they helped three other people beat 36-year-old Erik Hood in January 2015 outside a high school basketball game in Phoenix.
At that time, the 28-year-old brothers played for the Phoenix Suns. Marcus now plays for the Boston Celtics and Markieff is with the Washington Wizards.