Last week, the All-star reserves were announced for both the East and Western Conference. For the New York Knicks, of course Forward Carmelo Anthony got the nod as a starter in this year’s All-Star game, which will take place in Houston, Texas. For Melo, it is his 6th selection to an All-Star game (all with him being a starter). It should not have been a surprise that he made the team this year. He has played like an MVP after a down year last year. He is second in the league in scoring at 29.4 points per game and is still considered one of the best, if not the best, finisher in the NBA today. Last Sunday, he proved to the voters that selecting him as a starter was the right choice as he and the Knicks stormed back to beat the Atlanta Hawks. Anthony had 42 points including the game winning 3-point play.
Another player that made it for the Knicks was Tyson Chandler. Chandler has had some fine moments the past 3 years, winning a championship with Dallas, coming to New York and winning the Defensive Player of the Year award in his 1st season, also he won Olympic gold with Team USA this past summer. This year, so far he’s at it again, leading the NBA in field goal percentage (.677). This year marks Chandler’s 1st All-Star selection.
For the Brooklyn Nets, 2 of their players made it as well. Point Guard Deron Williams made it as a reserve this year behind the Celtics’ Rajon Rondo. It marks his 3rd All-Star selection. The other All-Star for the Nets, Brook Lopez for the was an interesting one. At first, he didn’t make it at all despite averaging 18.6 points per game (which leads all NBA centers) and 7.4 rebounds. Due to Rondo’s season-ending ACL injury, Lopez will make the trip to Houston. At first Lopez not making the team, became a big topic in TNT’s broadcast with Chris Webber. “He’s holds down the paint. He’s busting everybody up this yearn I was surprised”. Lopez definitely earned the right to be in Houston this year.
Two All-Stars for each New York team. Not bad at all. It’s good to see both The Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks having great season so far. However, there is still the 1st half of the season to finish and both teams must stay focused and hope their role players can stay healthy and continue to be productive.
Sports Notes: (Baseball) Strike 3 for A-Rod!!! The New York Yankees were completely caught off-guard in the latest news about third basemen Alex Rodriguez. In a source by the Miami New Times, it was reported that Rodriguez purchased performance-enhancing drugs in 2009 and in 2012 from a South Florida wellness clinic, Biogenesis which is owned and operated by Anthony Bosch. Major League Baseball plans to summon Rodriguez to it’s New York offices as soon as the Drug Enforcement Agency receives the paperwork.
If suspended by MLB, A-Rod could lose up to $ 9 million dollars in salary. Also, if he gets suspended, it has already been reported that Yankee management will take steps in voiding the rest of Rodriguez’s remaining contract which stands at 5-years/ $114 million. Alex Rodriguez might well played his last game as a Yankee. (Football): The Super Bowl will be this Sunday, February 3, just after 6:30 pm. Baltimore Ravens vs. San Francisco 49ers.