Opener:
Today’s crew/guests:
First time All-Star, Ben Simmons of the Sixers!
WNBA champion/All-Star, Sue Bird of the Seattle Storm!
Dunk contest participant, rookie Miles Bridges of the Charlotte Hornets!
Clippers big man, Montrezl Harrell!
First Half
Agree with Pelicans decision to fire Dell Demps?
Has held the position since 2010
“His dismissal was inevitable in this offseason. It was coming. My sense was that this was going to wait until after the all-star break. I do think the events of last night sped it up” – Woj
“This Anthony Davis trade will be the most important decision going forward. It’s going to impact them for a decade to come. They’re going to be willing to spend” – Woj
“The decisions that Dell Demps has made to try and surround Anthony Davis with a supporting cast that was sustainable long-term, they’ve missed on a lot of draft picks, free agent signings (Omer Asik, Solomon Hill), they’ve overpaid for players who haven’t performed and then go back to the DeMarcus Cousins trade. They have really nothing to show for it and they traded a young player in Buddy Hield” – Woj
“Personally, it’s that relationship between the GM and the players. The GM has to be part of the players, especially when you’re talking about an all-star like Anthony Davis” – Wallace
“This was inevitable for him to get fired. They never had the team around Anthony Davis to make him want to stay. And just because David Stern says it, doesn’t mean it’s true. Dell was put in a tough situation” – Jackson
How should AD & Pelicans move forward?
“He’s wanted to honor his contract and play out the season” – Woj
“There’s going to be another conversation with the league on how to go forward. The league cannot have this becoming a daily saga and an embarrassment. It’s not fair to the fans in New Orleans and it is not good for the league to have a player of Anthony Davis’ stature in the news everyday for something as dysfunctional as what this has turned into” – Woj
“At the end of the day, we have a job to do and we have to be professionals. Either you’re with us or you’re not. Not knowing can cause a lot of confusion and can get worse” – Jackson
“If he does come back, play and keep your rhythm. Stay in that shape to go into next season” – Wallace
1991 – Dunk contest champion, Dee Brown of the Boston Celtics with the high toss, the lob and the reverse jam in Charlotte!
Expectations for 1st All-Star Game?
“I’m just excited to get out there. Just being around so many talented players that I’m going to be able to learn a lot of things” – Simmons
“I feel like I do deserve it” – Simmons
Confident Sixers can figure out chemistry before playoffs?
“It just takes time” – Simmons
“He’s kind of like a silent assassin” – Simmons on Tobias Harris
Biggest competition in Eastern Conference?
“Who ever is in front of us. Boston and Toronto” – Simmons
“It was exciting. I’m happy with the moves [we made at the deadline] – Simmons
Second Half
Distance; Charles Barkley joining PTI with Michael Wilbon. Do they look like Statler and Waldorf from the Muppets?
Ability; Should we just call this dunk ‘The Kobe’?
Last Night:
Caring; Where does this rank among Russ’ outfits?
Last night:
Indecision; Good news for all the bandwagoners?
Commissioner, Adam Silver demonstrating the ability for fans to change the name and number on the jerseys they buy!
Tanking; The Knicks got a win last night!
Had lost 18 straight games
Moving on…
Any advice from MJ for dunk contest?
“He gave me a few pointers. He just told me to be creative, put a lot of power in my dunks” – Bridges
“There’s definitely a lot of pressure, but I don’t really feel it” – Bridges
“I haven’t seen this many people in a long time” – Bridges on the atmosphere in Charlotte for All-Star Weekend
1991 – Michael Jordan with the finishing with the monster one-handed dunk in the All-Star Game!
Clippers: 32-27 this season (8th in West); They have an 82 percent of making the playoffs, per ESPN’s BPI
Montrezl Harrell: 15.9ppg, 6.7rpg
“Most definitely [making the playoffs] because it was a big shock to us with the trade. It hit everybody” – Harrell on the Tobias Harris trade
“Were not going to back down from anybody. I feel like with the trade that happened, we got tougher” – Harrell
What’s changed for you with Clippers?
“Basically, confidence. I always work on my game. I never stopping playing basketball” – Harrell on his improvement offensively
“When he comes on the floor, everything elevates. Everything becomes a battle” – Elhassan
“When he got the opportunity, he took advantage of it. That’s what a lot kids don’t do” – Jackson
“Hands down, one of the best owners in the game. He’s really homegrown to the city of LA” – Harrell on Clippers owner, Steve Ballmer
Rachel Nichols’ 1-on-1 with Mavs rookie, Luka Doncic
Highlights from the interview:
“I always looked up to LeBron. He’s my idol” – Doncic
On his flare:
“I’ve always played that way” – Doncic
On wanting the pressure for the last shot:
“I just feel confident. I have the confidence from my team. I love taking those shots. I get motivated” – Doncic
On playing with Dirk:
“He’s an all-time great player. He makes jokes. He’s funny” – Doncic
On his new teammate, Kristaps Porzingis:
“I knew him from before. Now, we hang out more. This is going to be something special for sure” – Doncic
Hops
Who wins dunk contest?
Pippen: Dennis Smith Jr.
Jackson: Dennis Smith Jr.
Wallace: Miles Bridges
Range
Who wins 3-point shootout?
Jackson: “Who ever name is Curry”
Pippen: “It’s definitely going to be a Curry”
Wallace: Kemba Walker
MVP
All-Star MVP Pick?
Wallace: Kemba Walker
“It’s here at home. It’d be great for the organization”
Jackson: Paul George
“He’s not a stacked team, he’s having a great year, an MVP candidate”
Pippen: Stephen Curry
“There’s going to be some home cooking”
Pelicans fire GM Dell Demps (Per Adrian Wojnarowski)
“It’s bad blood there somewhere. Somewhere along the line with AD and his people and the GM and ownership. They just need to clear the air” – Wallace
“AD has to have that conversation with the team” – Jackson
“We all knew this was in the making. It’s all in black-and-white. There’s some things going on in the organization. They had to make a change. The fact that Anthony Davis wanted to leave and they held him against his will, it shows that GM lost out on that free agent. He doesn’t have any more value to that organization” – Pippen
“It’s obvious that he couldn’t keep a star player” – Jackson
What would change if more former players were team owners? (Via Joe Vardon/The Athletic)
Click here to read more about this topic from earlier this week by Brian Windhorst
“I don’t see a whole lot changing. Michael Jordan’s impact, popularity and his brand has been able to grow the game. I don’t see any other player bigger than Michael that can help the NBA out in any way. Everyone has to work under the CBA. There’s no one more popular than Michael Jordan” – Pippen
“We need more players to be owners. I definitely think LeBron can do it” – Jackson
“If guys are thinking about becoming owners, why don’t you ask Michael first. Ask a lot of the things he went through” – Wallace
