All-Star Notebook
Who Gets Last Shot? Hibachi!
Washington Post Staff Writers
Saturday, February 17, 2007; Page E04
LAS VEGAS, Feb. 16 -- Wizards Coach Eddie Jordan said his main goal for Sunday's game is to make sure that the East all-stars "play the right" way by sharing the basketball and keeping everyone involved.
"I'm just hoping that it's not a close game so I'll be scrutinized over who takes the last shot," Jordan said. "I hope it's a blowout either way."
TRACKING THE WIZARDS Andray Blatche will attend 'John School,' a day-long seminar on the ills of solicitation. The Wizards re-sign forward Andray Blatche to a multiyear deal. After a delay, the Wizards finalize a trade of guard Juan Carlos Navarro to Memphis for a draft pick. Wizards Insider Ivan Carter and Michael Lee with exclusive coverage and analysis on the Washington Wizards. NBA Basics |
The East squad is stocked with go-to scorers such as Cleveland's LeBron James and Miami's Dwyane Wade. But if Sunday's game comes down to the final possession, Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas left little doubt about who he thinks would get the ball.
"Hibachi, c'mon," Arenas said. "They know who's taking that last shot. I mean, who is coaching? You know the play."
Dirk Hasselhoff
Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki, who will become the first European player to start in an all-star game on Sunday, laughed Friday when someone asked him if he would be able to catch David Hasselhoff while he is town this weekend. Hasselhoff is starring in the hit musical "The Producers" at Paris Las Vegas.
"I don't think so," Nowitzki said, chuckling. "There are a lot of things going on. We're practicing tomorrow and the game is Sunday, so I don't think I'll have a lot of time."
Arenas on Amaechi
Several players were asked about the controversy surrounding former player Tim Hardaway's homophobic statements about John Amaechi, a former player who recently revealed that he is gay.
Arenas had the following take: "You are teammates, and teammates should accept one another for who they are," he said. "That's how I look at it."
Pippen Comeback?
Former star and six-time NBA champion Scottie Pippen created some buzz when he announced his intention to come out of retirement for the final 2 1/2 months of the season. Pippen, 41, who last played during the 2003-04 season with Chicago, said he would like to join a team like the Miami Heat or San Antonio Spurs for a run at another championship.
Lee Is Perfect
Knicks forward David Lee was 14 for 14 from the field and scored 30 points, leading the sophomores to a 155-114 victory over the rookies in the rookie challenge. The sophomores shot 74.7 percent (68 of 91) in winning for the fifth straight time.
