FOX Sports West and Prime Ticket will have the best local coverage of NBA All-Star Weekend!

No Break For All-Star Blake Griffin

In the midst of the NBA's longest road trip of the season - 11 straight road games - and having just completed a span of eight games in 13 days, the All-Star break could not come fast enough for many on the Clippers roster. 


There's not much of a break, however, for Clippers rookie Blake Griffin. Griffin will have a jam-packed schedule of All-Star events waiting for him when he returns to STAPLES Center this week.

Between the Rookie/Sophomore Challenge, the Dunk ContestAll-Star Game itself, Griffin will become the first NBA player to ever appear in competitions Friday, Saturday and Sunday of All-Star weekend. And with that exciting, yet daunting assignment ahead of him, the runaway contender for Rookie of the Year made sure to get as much rest as possible on the road - something that's actually easier than being at home. 

foxsportswest.com: No Break For All-Star Blake Griffin

UNDER ARMOUR AND BRANDON JENNINGS GIVE ALL-STAR TREATMENT TO ROWLEY PARK BASKETBALL COURT

WHAT:            Under Armour and Brandon Jennings have teamed up to bring a state-of-the-art basketball court renovation to Rowley Park in Brandon’s hometown of Gardena, CA. Rowley Park is Brandon’s original “home court,” the place where as a young child he learned the love of the game that still drives him to succeed today. The updated outdoor court will be unveiled at a celebration kicking off NBA All-Star Week.

The updated court features a new Sport Court rubber surface with the Under Armour and Brandon Jennings “BJ3” logos and premium NBA regulation hoops. The celebration brings Brandon’s energy and excitement for his hometown back to the people he loves most, with festivities for kids including a H.O.R.S.E. competition against Brandon, pick-up games, a Mobile Barbershop providing free haircuts, Under Armour gear prizes, and the culmination of the celebration---a ribbon cutting with Brandon Jennings and the Mayor of Gardena. 

WHO:               Brandon Jennings, NBA point guard for the Milwaukee Bucks

                        Matt Mirchin, Under Armour SVP, Sports Marketing

                        Mayor Paul Tanaka, Mayor of Gardena, CA

WHEN:             Thursday, February 17, 2011

                        3:00PM- 5:00PM

WHERE:           Rowley Park

13220 S. Van Ness Ave

Gardena, CA 90247

Blake Griffin Should Be An All-Star, Period!

The NBA is set to announce the reserves for this year's All-Star Game live on TNT on Thursday and Blake Griffin should be named.

Ironically, Griffin and the Clippers will be en route to Atlanta - home of the TNT studios - when the announcement is made. The rest of the league could know if Griffin makes the All-Star Game before he even does, although there shouldn't even be an "if."

Griffin is having an All-Star season. What else does this kid have to do?


foxsportswest.com: Griffin Should Be an All-Star

Weaver Is A Hometown All-Star Snub

Even though the MLB All-Star game is nothing more than a glorified exhibition--despite World Series home-field advantaged being determined by the outcome--players take selection to the Midsummer's Classic very seriously.  In fact, most players probably care more about being selected to the team than the actual outcome of the game, especially those not likely to make the playoffs.

Besides just about every player having some sort of All-Star Game incentive in their contracts--Torii Hunter picked up an extra cool $100k for his 4th selection--the real reason guys want to make the team is to be recognized as one of the game's best.  Call it pride, ego or both, but every player wants to feel elite.

The problem, however, is that not every All-Star caliber player makes the All-Star Game roster.




foxsportswest.com: Weaver Is A Hometown All-Star Snub 

ALL-STAR GAME COACHING STAFFS APPOINTED

Charlie Manuel Names San Diego’s Bud Black, San Francisco’s Bruce Bochy to N.L. Staff;

Joe Girardi Appoints Host Angels Manager Mike Scioscia, A’s Skipper Bob Geren

NEW YORK -- National League All-Star manager Charlie Manuel of the Philadelphia Phillies and American League All-Star manager Joe Girardi of the New York Yankees have announced the managers who will serve as their coaches at the 81st All-Star Game, to be played on Tuesday, July 13th at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

Manuel has appointed San Diego Padres manager Bud Black and San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy as the N.L. coaches.  Black was an N.L. coach at the 2008 All-Star Game at Yankee Stadium, and he also participated in the 2003 All-Star Game while serving as the pitching coach of the Angels, a capacity in which he served from the 2000-2006 seasons.  Bochy, who managed the N.L. All-Stars in the 1999 Midsummer Classic at Fenway Park, will be an N.L. coach for the fourth time, having also done so at the 1997 All-Star Game in Cleveland, the 2001 Midsummer Classic in Seattle and the 2007 All-Star Game at his home ballpark, AT&T Park.  Manuel’s Phillies coaches – bullpen coach Mick Billmeyer, pitching coach Rich Dubee, first base coach Davey Lopes, bench coach Pete Mackanin, third base coach Sam Perlozzo and hitting coach Milt Thompson – will assist with batting practice and other field duties.  Sean Cunningham, head athletic trainer of the Florida Marlins, and Keith Dugger, head athletic trainer of the Colorado Rockies, will round out the N.L. staff.

Girardi has named Angels manager Mike Scioscia and Oakland Athletics skipper Bob Geren as the A.L. coaches.  Scioscia, a two-time All-Star as a player, managed the A.L. All-Stars in 2003 and served as an A.L. coach in 2002.  Geren, a San Diego native, has led the A’s since 2007 and will be in the A.L. dugout for the Midsummer Classic for the first time.  Girardi’s Yankees coaches – pitching coach Dave Eiland, bullpen coach Mike Harkey, first base coach Mick Kelleher, hitting coach Kevin Long, bench coach Tony Peña and third base coach Rob Thomson – will comprise his staff along with Angels head certified athletic trainer Ned Bergert and Seattle Mariners head athletic trainer Rick Griffin.

The 81st Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and Sportsnet HD and Le Reseau des Sports, and around the world by Major League Baseball International, with pregame ceremonies beginning at 8:00 p.m. (EDT)/5:00 p.m. (PDT).  ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage.  MLB Network, MLB.com and Sirius XM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Game coverage.

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Chris Kaman Named To All-Star Team

Los Angeles Clippers center Chris Kaman has been named by NBA Commissioner David Stern to the Western Conference Team for the 2010 NBA All-Star Game. Kaman will replace injured West all-star guard Brandon Roy (right hamstring strain) of the Portland Trailblazers in the game on Feb. 14 in Dallas and be making his first All-Star appearance. 

Kaman, 27, is enjoying his strongest season, averaging a career-high 20.2 points and 9.0 rebounds while shooting 49.7 percent from the field (370-745). Kaman is just one of three players in the NBA currently averaging at least 20 points and nine rebounds per game, and ranks 16th in the NBA in scoring and 19th in rebounding. 


Clippers.com:  Kaman Named All-Star

Shannon Brown: NBA Dunk Contest or Bust!

The campaign to get Shannon Brown an invite to the NBA All-Star Weekend Dunk Contest is officially underway.  From the fans to the media, just about anyone who has seen the Lakers play this season are in agreement.  Brown is one of the most dynamic leapers in the game today.  Leaving him out of the annual dunk fest would be a crime.



The one question regarding Brown's potential invite to the NBA dunk contest is whether he can be unique with his dunks. It's a valid question when you consider that Brown's best aerobatics this season have been more explosive than creative. But check out this clip from the year he played in the McDonald's All-American game, when he competed in the dunk contest against the likes of LeBron James and other future NBA ballers.

So obviously, Brown has shown the ability to get a little funky with his dunks. And just think how more special his jams could be once he gets some tutoring from his biggest supporter, Kobe Bryant, who won the 1997 NBA Dunk Contest as a rookie.

By the way, we've heard some good nickname suggestions for Brown this season as well.  What's your favorite?  Which one fits him the best?  Be sure to vote on the poll posted at the top of the page, and look for my interview with Brown on Tuesday night's edition of Lakers Live on FS West HD beginning at 6:45pm.

Chris Kaman Left Off NBA All-Star Ballot

The NBA unveiled its official ballot for this year's NBA All-Star game Tuesday, and I know exactly what some Clippers fans are thinking: Where's Chris Kaman?

I mean, you've seen him play and you've seen his stats, both of which, are definitely All-Star caliber this season. How could he be left off the ballot?

I can just hear Clipper Nation asking all the obvious questions.

The reigning Western Conference Player of the Week is not listed on the official All-Star ballot, but Spencer Hawes is?

A player ranked in the top 15 in scoring, the top 20 in minutes played and the top 25 in rebounds, is not worthy of being listed among the leading candidates for the All-Star game, but Andrew Bogut is?

Trust me, all your questions are valid. However, you need to understand the process before getting yourself all worked up.

The NBA All-Star ballot lists 120 players – 60 each from the Eastern and Western conferences – with 24 guards, 24 forwards, and 12 centers from each conference comprising the list. Voters select two guards, two forwards and one center from each conference. The 120 players on the ballot were selected by a panel of media who regularly cover the NBA: Mike Breen (ABC/ESPN), Eddie Sefko (Dallas Morning News), Doug Smith (The Toronto Star and President, Pro Basketball Writers Association) Marc Spears (Yahoo! Sports), Marc Stein (ESPN.com) and Ian Thomsen (Sports Illustrated).

After I first saw the ballot this morning, I called my good friend Marc Spears and asked him how Kaman could be left off the list of viable candidates. Marc informed me of two very interesting aspects of the process: 1) Every team must have at least three players represented on the official ballot. 2) The media panel must submit its selections during the first week of the preseason.

So based on that criteria, you can see why players such as Hawes and Lopez are listed as All-Star candidates and Kaman is not. And with the Clippers having four players on the official ballot (Baron Davis, Al Thornton, Marcus Camby, and Blake Griffin--the only rookie listed), it would be hard to include a fifth considering the season not only the Clippers had last season, but also, Kaman himself.

Spears readily admitted that if the ballots would have not been due until a few weeks into the regular season, then Kaman would undoubtedly be listed on the official ballot.

So if you want to point any of your displeasure with Kaman being left off the ballot, don't direct it at those responsible for selecting the candidates, but rather the NBA, itself, for demanding that the ballots come out so soon.

But even though Kaman (and Eric Gordon, for that matter) isn't listed on the official ballot, Clippers fans can still vote him into the All-Star game. Write-in votes are always accepted and tabulated.

There are several ways fans can cast their votes, including: at each NBA arena; in 20 languages on NBA.com; and through mobile phones by texting the player’s last name to 6-9-6-2-2 (“MYNBA”), via Web2Go® on T-Mobile phones or wap.nba.com for any wireless carrier. A T-Mobile-branded All-Star Balloting widget will also be available on NBA.com so that fans can “grab” the widget and place it on their blogs, social network pages, or personal Web sites allowing others to vote directly from the widget. Paper balloting will continue through Jan. 10, while wireless balloting and voting on NBA.com will conclude Jan. 18. Starters will be announced live on TNT on Thursday, January 21, 2010.

The 2010 NBA All-Star Game will be played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas, before an expected crowd of more than 80,000 – the largest group ever to witness a live basketball game, on Sunday, Feb. 14, 2010.

LAKERS FORWARD PAU GASOL NAMED WESTERN CONFERENCE ALL-STAR

EL SEGUNDO – Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol was selected to represent the Western Conference in the 2009 NBA All-Star Game to be played February 15 at US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona, it was announced today.

“It’s an honor to be selected to the All-Star team, and I’d like to thank all the coaches who voted for me,” said Gasol. “This is also a reflection on my teammates, who helped me play to an All-Star level and receive this recognition. I look forward to playing in the game, and I will represent the Lakers with pride.”

Gasol, who will join teammate Kobe Bryant and head coach Phil Jackson in Phoenix, is averaging 17.3 points on 54.9 percent shooting, 9.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists while ranking 34th league-wide in scoring, 12th in rebounds, 9th in field goal percentage and 19th in double-doubles (15) on the season.

Becoming the fourth player in league history to go straight from Europe to the NBA and score 10,000 career points earlier this season, Gasol will be making his second career All-Star appearance (2006) and is now the 27th Laker in franchise history to be named to an All-Star team.

In selecting the reserves, each of the 30 NBA head coaches must vote for seven players within their conference, including two guards, two forwards, a center and two players regardless of position. Coaches are not permitted to vote for players on their team. If a player is unable to participate in the All-Star Game, NBA Commissioner David Stern will select a replacement.

THORNTON AND GORDON TO REPRESENT CLIPPERS AT ALL-STAR WEEKEND

Second Year Forward Al Thornton And Rookie Guard Eric Gordon Selected To Play In 2009 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge And Youth Jam At NBA All-Star 2009

Los Angeles Clippers' second year forward Al Thornton and rookie guard Eric Gordon lead a list of 18 players selected for the 2009 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam to be held on Friday, February 13th in Phoenix during NBA All-Star 2009, the NBA announced today.

Averaging 17.4 points and 5.3 rebounds per game, Thornton currently ranks second in the NBA amongst second year players in scoring. Gordon is currently ranked fourth among all rookies in scoring, averaging 13.7 points per game, however in 13 games played in January, Gordon has averaged a rookie high 21.5 points in 41.2 minutes played per game.

The participants in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam were selected by the NBA's assistant coaches, with each team submitting one ballot. For the first time in the game's history, two current NBA players, All-Star starters Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic and Dwyane Wade of the Miami Heat --veterans of the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge and part of T-Mobile's "All-Star Faves" -- will serve on the coaching staffs, Howard for the Sophomores and Wade for the Rookies. The head coaches for the Rookie and Sophomore teams will be the lead assistants from the 2009 NBA All-Star Game coaching staffs.

Guard Kevin Durant and forward Jeff Green of the Oklahoma City Thunder join Thornton on the Sophomore team, which also includes Atlanta Hawks forward/center Al Horford, Philadelphia 76ers forward Thaddeus Young, New York Knicks forward Wilson Chandler, Detroit Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey and a pair of teammates from the Houston Rockets' guard Aaron Brooks and forward Luis Scola.

Joining Gordon on the Rookie team are Chicago Bulls guard Derrick Rose, guard O.J. Mayo and center Marc Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies and center Greg Oden and guard Rudy Fernandez from the Portland Trail Blazers. Thunder guard Russell Westbrook, Heat forward Michael Beasley and New Jersey Nets center Brook Lopez round out the Rookie team.

The T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam will be televised live nationally on TNT at 9 p.m. ET and also will be broadcast live on ESPN Radio, while NBA.com will make live audio available to fans in multiple languages. Fans tuning in to TNT will also get a special treat, as NBA All-Star starter LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers, a participant in the 2004 and 2005 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge, will join Kevin Harlan, Kenny Smith and Craig Sager as part of TNT's broadcast as an analyst.

As title partner of the Rookie Challenge and overall NBA Rookie Program, T-Mobile has teamed up with the NBA and NBA Cares to create the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Phoenix students to experience NBA All-Star 2009. By successfully completing fitness, nutrition, and community service requirements, more than 3,500 "T-Mobile Stick Together All-Stars," ages 11-15, from participating school districts in Phoenix will watch the game from the best seats in the house at US Airways Arena.

As a new element to the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam, fans had the unique opportunity to design the official jerseys worn by the Rookie and Sophomore teams. Thousands of fans registered for the NBA LIVE Jersey Creator Contest hosted by EA SPORTS for the chance to win a trip for two to Phoenix, AZ for NBA All-Star 2009. The winning jersey is being produced by adidas, the official uniform and apparel provider for the NBA, and will be worn by all participating Rookie and Sophomore players, marking the first time that a fan designed jersey has ever been worn during an NBA game or event. In past years, Rookies and Sophomores wore their regular team jerseys during the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam. The winning design was created by 18-year-old Tim Ahmed from East Meadow, Long Island. Ahmed attended East Meadow High School and is currently a first-year student at Baruch College in Manhattan.

In last year's T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam, Cavaliers guard Daniel Gibson earned Most Valuable Player honors, making 11 three-pointers en route to a game-high 33 points, as the Sophomores cruised to a 136-109 victory. Grizzlies forward Rudy Gay added 22 points and Los Angeles Lakers guard Jordan Farmar tallied 17 points and 11 assists. Durant, then of the Seattle SuperSonics, led the Rookies with 23 points.

The contest began its current format pitting the Rookies against the Sophomores in 2000 and the Sophomores hold a 7-2 advantage over the first-year players. The game will be played in two 20-minute halves. Individual foul totals will be kept, but a player cannot foul out. A team will be in the penalty situation after 10 team fouls or after the second foul in the final two minutes of each half. In the event of a tie game, there will be a two-minute overtime to determine the winner. The clock will stop after each successful field goal in the last minute of each half.

T-Mobile will provide basketball fans with the opportunity to have their vote count toward selecting the MVP of the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam by voting on NBA.com or via SMS on mobile phones during the second half of the game.

The NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 15, will air live on TNT and ESPN Radio beginning at 8 p.m. EST. The game will also be telecast in over 200 countries and territories in more than 40 languages and broadcast on NBA.com.

NBA All-Star brings together the top NBA players and performers for a week of competition, community service and world-class entertainment. Among the many other exciting All-Star events are Sprite Slam Dunk, Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout, PlayStation Skills Challenge, Haier Shooting Stars and NBA All-Star Jam Session presented by adidas.

Building upon its already strong appeal to the nation's youth and as Official Partner of the NBA, T-Mobile is showcasing the NBA's youngest players -- the Rookies -- through the T-Mobile Rookie Program. Highlights include the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam, an All-Star competition between NBA rookies and second-year players, and rookie awards presentations including the T-Mobile Rookie of the Month and T-Mobile Rookie of the Year. To learn more about T-Mobile's partnership with the NBA, visit www.t-mobile.com/nba.