NEW ORLEANS — Nuggets coach George Karl believes an all-star should be a star on a winning team.
Hornets coach Byron Scott believes an all-star should be a star.
Such is an example of NBA coaches’ differences of opinions when choosing the all-star reserves (announced tonight).
“I don’t buy into the theory that just because the guy’s on a losing team that he shouldn’t make it,” Scott said Wednesday. “I think that’s kind of crazy. So I just pick the seven guys I think are playing great basketball.”
Scott said he voted for Minnesota forward Al Jefferson (22.6 points and 10.6 rebounds), even though the Timberwolves are under .500. It’s possible a player like Jefferson could take votes from Denver forward Carmelo Anthony, who Karl said is the best small forward in the game, although Scott voted for Melo — and Chauncey Billups, too.
Homecoming.
Former Hornet Chris Andersen played at New Orleans Arena for the first time since 2005. He was with the Hornets last season, joining them in March after his two-year suspension from the NBA. But he played in just five games, all on the road.
Andersen joined the Hornets in 2004-05, his breakout season in the NBA. He was with the Hornets the following season, as well, but the Hornets were in Oklahoma City that season, displaced after Hurricane Katrina. The Hornets did play three games back in New Orleans that season, but all happened after Andersen’s suspension.
Footnotes.
The Feb. 18 Nuggets game at Philadelphia will no longer be televised on ESPN. The start of the game has been moved from 6 p.m. MST to 5 p.m. and will be televised on Altitude. . . . Mavericks owner Mark Cuban asked J.R. Smith to which charity Cuban should donate his $25,000 NBA fine, following Cuban’s penalty for yelling at Smith at a Mavericks-Nuggets game. On Wednesday, the Nuggets officially sent word to have the money donated to the Louisiana Disaster Relief Foundation, which helps Katrina victims. Smith previously played for New Orleans. . . . Famed film director Spike Lee, who directed the HBO Katrina series “When The Levees Broke,” was in attendance.
Benjamin Hochman, The Denver Post
