SB Nation Los Angeles - NBA All-Star Game 2012: Los Angeles Has Four Western Conference Startershttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48949/la-fave.png2012-02-16T16:29:36-08:00http://losangeles.sbnation.com/rss/stream/24668932012-02-16T16:29:36-08:002012-02-16T16:29:36-08:002012 NBA Rising Stars Challenge: Blake Griffin, Jeremy Lin On Team Shaq
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<p>The NBA changed its format for what used to be known as the Rookie Challenge for NBA All-Star weekend in 2012 in Orlando. Rather than first-year players battling second-year players, the new Rising Stars Challenge will feature teams picked from a pool by general managers Charles Barkley and <span>Shaquille O`Neal</span>.</p>
<p>The duo picked their teams on Thursday on TNT on 'Inside the NBA,' and <span>Blake Griffin</span> of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> was picked first by Team Shaq, followed by <span>Kyrie Irving</span> to Team Barkley. The newest NBA sensation <span>Jeremy Lin</span> was a wild card addition to the pool by Kenny Smith, and added to Team Shaq is the third pick.</p>
<p>Griffin and <span>John Wall</span> were on the same team <a target="_blank" href="http://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-clippers/2011/2/18/2001108/nba-all-star-weekend-blake-griffin-t-mobile-rookie-challenge-tnt-clippers">last year in the Rookie-Sophomore Challenge</a>, and produced this gem:</p>
<p align="center"><iframe src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/2sD4lxS5H2U" frameborder="0" height="225" width="400"></iframe></p>
<p>Griffin scored 14 points in the Rookie Challenge in 2011 in the most efficient way possible, on seven slam dunks.</p>
<p><i><b>To talk about Griffin and the Clippers,<a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com/"> head on over to Clips Nation</a>.</b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-lakers/2012/2/16/2803455/2012-nba-rising-stars-challenge-blake-griffin-jeremy-lin-picked-first-team-shaq-all-star-weekendEric Stephen2012-02-16T15:47:17-08:002012-02-16T15:47:17-08:002012 NBA All-Star Weekend: Charles Barkley, Shaquille O'Neal To Pick Rising Stars Teams Thursday On NBA TV
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<p><span>Blake Griffin</span> of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> was one of the darlings of NBA All-Star Weekend in 2011 at Staples Center, as he was a reserve in the big game, shined in the Rising Stars Game, and won the dunk contest by jumping over a car. He will be one of the coveted players on Thursday night when 2012 Rising Stars general managers Charles Barkley and <span>Shaquille O`Neal</span> draft their respective teams.</p>
<p>Griffin and <span>John Wall</span> headline the 2012 Rising Stars pool of players, who will be picked on NBA TV at 4 p.m. PST on Thursday night. Here is the full list of available players:</p>
<ul>
<li>
<span>Marshon Brooks</span>, New Jersey G-F</li>
<li>
<span>DeMarcus Cousins</span>, Sacramento C</li>
<li>
<span>Landry Fields</span>, New York G</li>
<li>
<span>Paul George</span>, Indiana G-F</li>
<li>Blake Griffin, L.A. Clippers F<br>
</li>
<li>
<span>Gordon Hayward</span>, Utah F<br>
</li>
<li>
<span>Kyrie Irving</span>, Cleveland G </li>
<li>
<span>Brandon Knight</span>, Detroit G</li>
<li>
<span>Kawhi Leonard</span>, San Antonio G-F</li>
<li>
<span>Greg Monroe</span>, Detroit C</li>
<li>
<span>Markieff Morris</span>, Phoenix F</li>
<li>
<span>Ricky Rubio</span>, Minnesota G</li>
<li>
<span>Tiago Splitter</span>, San Antonio F-C</li>
<li>
<span>Tristan Thompson</span>, Cleveland F</li>
<li>
<span>Evan Turner</span>, Philadelphia G-F</li>
<li>John Wall, Washington G</li>
<li>
<span>Kemba Walker</span>, Charlotte G</li>
<li>
<span>Derrick Williams</span>, Minnesota F<br>
</li>
</ul>
<p><i><b>To talk about Griffin and the Clippers,<a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com/"> head on over to Clips Nation</a>.</b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-lakers/2012/2/16/2803425/2012-nba-all-star-weekend-charles-barkley-shaquille-oneal-rising-stars-game-tntEric Stephen2012-02-16T09:42:20-08:002012-02-16T09:42:20-08:00Slam Dunk Contest 2012: Clippers' DeAndre Jordan Not Interested In NBA All-Star Weekend
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<p><a target="_blank" href="http://clippers.ocregister.com/2012/02/16/deandre-jordan-wont-dunk-at-all-star-weekend/">According to the Orange County Register</a> <a href="https://www.clipsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Los Angeles Clippers</a> big man DeAndre jordan decided it best not to take part in the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest during NBA All-Star weekend in Orlando this year, despite being pressured by teammate and last year's dunk champion <span>Blake Griffin</span> to partake in the event.</p>
<p>Jordan told the register that th league had been in contact with his agent about taking part in the dunk contest this year, but he was not interested.</p>
<blockquote>
<p>"Maybe if I was playing in the game," he said.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>As for Griffin, he had no interest in defending his title this year as the league announced that New york <a href="https://www.postingandtoasting.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Knicks</a> rookie <span>Iman Shumpert</span>, <a href="https://www.thedreamshake.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Rockets</a> <span>Chase Budinger</span>, <a href="https://www.indycornrows.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Indiana Pacers</a> <span>Paul George</span>, and <a href="https://www.canishoopus.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Minnesota Timberwolves</a> <span>Derrick Williams</span> (of La Mirada High School fame) will be the four contestants in this year's contest.</p>
<p>The contest will have a new format this year, consisting of only one round with each competitor executing three dunks. Fan voting will open after all four players have completed their first dunk. Previously, the Sprite Slam Dunk contest consisted of two rounds, with the first round scored by a panel of judges which determined two finalists.</p>
<p>Only fan voting will be used to determine the winner, and for the first time ever, fans will be able to cast votes on Twitter by posting a corresponding letter assigned to each dunker along with the hashtag #SpriteSlam.</p>
<p>The contest starts at 5 p.m. PT on February 25, with coverage on TNT.</p>
<p><b><i>For more on the Dunk Contest and All-Star weekend, head over to </i></b><b><i><a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba">SB Nation's dedicated NBA hub.</a></i></b></p>
<p><b><i> </i></b></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-lakers/2012/2/16/2802568/slam-dunk-contest-2012-deandre-jordan-not-interested-all-star-weekend-blake-griffinErnie Pomin2012-02-09T16:32:32-08:002012-02-09T16:32:32-08:002012 NBA All-Star Game: Pau Gasol Snubbed For Brother Marc
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a> already have two of their best players in the NBA All-Star Game in <span>Kobe Bryant</span> and <span>Andrew Bynum</span>. Power forward <span>Pau Gasol</span> was left out, making you wonder if they'll were going to be picked as an All-Star Reserve.</p>
<p>Turns out he wasn't. Pau was snubbed in favor of his brother Marc, who was announced a few minutes ago on the TNT All-Star Reserves selection show. Marc has been the lynchpin of a solid <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/">Memphis Grizzlies</a> team, and he's been arguably more valuable to Memphis's success than Pau to LA. Plus this season, it would've been hard to believe the Lakers were deserving of having three All-Stars considering their fairly average record.</p>
<p>The All-Star Game will take place in Orlando on Sunday, February 26th on TNT. Gasol has made four All-Star games in his NBA career.</p>
<p><i><b>To talk about Pau and the Lakers, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com">head on over to Silver Screen and Roll</a>. </b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-lakers/2012/2/9/2788132/pau-gasol-2012-nba-all-star-gameAvinash Kunnath2012-02-09T09:15:01-08:002012-02-09T09:15:01-08:00NBA All-Star Game 2012: Reserves Announced Thursday On TNT
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<p>With the <span class="caps">NBA</span> All-Star game right around the corner, Thursday will mark the day that the reserves for both the Eastern and Western conference All-Stars will be released. There is a lot of buzz about just who is going to make the team, especially out L.A., where the Lakers and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Clippers</a> have viable chances at adding more All-Stars.</p>
<p>Speculation of four L.A. players as Western Conference starters seems likely in <span>Blake Griffin</span>, <span>Chris Paul</span>, <span>Kobe Bryant</span>, and <span>Andrew Bynum</span>. That leaves <span>Pau Gasol</span> on the possible reserves list, though he brother Marc has been having a bit better of a year and would likely be more deserving to go. Should be an interesting choice to be made.</p>
<p>The announcement will be made at 1 p.m. PT (4 p.m. ET) on the <span class="caps">TNT</span> Network.</p>
<p><em><strong>For more in depth discussion and analysis of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a>, make sure you check out <a target="new" href="http://www.silverscreenandroll.com">Silver Screen and Roll</a>. For the Clippers side of things, make sure you check out <a target="new" href="http://www.clipsnation.com">Clips Nation</a>. For everything else <span class="caps">NBA</span>, including the 2012 <span class="caps">NBA</span> All-Star game, make sure you check out <a target="new" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nba">SB Nation’s dedicated <span class="caps">NBA</span> hub</a>. </strong></em></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-lakers/2012/2/9/2787189/2012-nba-all-star-game-reserves-tv-tnt-pau-gasol-lakersErnie Pomin2012-02-08T12:10:33-08:002012-02-08T12:10:33-08:002012 NBA All-Star Weekend: Blake Griffin Selected For Rising Stars Challenge
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> will be sending their young star to All-Star weekend not only as a Western All-Star, but <a target="_blank" href="http://www.nba.com/allstar/2012/rising-stars-12/index.html">possibly also as a member of the Rising Stars Challenge</a>. <span>Blake Griffin</span> looks like he'll participate in two events this weekend, one being the main event, the first being a small appetizer.</p>
<p>Will Griffin decline? It seems possible, since it doesn't make much sense for Griffin to play in two games. This is a short season with a compressed schedule and the less Griffin has to run the better.</p>
<p>That being said,</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p>I'm being told that Blake Griffin will play in Rising Stars Game even though he's an All-Star Starter. That should rule the dunk contest out</p>
— Dan Woike (@DanWoikeSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/DanWoikeSports/status/167335606983213058" data-datetime="2012-02-08T19:54:52+00:00">February 8, 2012</a>
</blockquote>
<p>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</p>
<p>Well, Griffin knows his body best! It's a bummer that he decided not to participate in the dunk contest, since I'm pretty sure many more people would be interested what he could jump over rather than dropping a 40-20 on Friday night against teams not seen playing defense.</p>
<p>Here's a roster of other players.</p>
<table class="cnnTM" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="1" width="600px">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtL" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #acc3d1;"><b>Player</b></td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #acc3d1;"><b>Team</b></td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #acc3d1;"><b>Pos.</b></td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #acc3d1;"><b>Ht.</b></td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #acc3d1;"><b>Wt.</b></td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #acc3d1;"><b>Home Country</b></td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR" style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% #acc3d1;"><b>Exp</b></td>
</tr>
<tr class="cnnIERowAltBG">
<td class="cnnIEColTxtL">MarShon Brooks</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">New Jersey</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">G-F</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">6-5</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">200</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Providence/USA</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">R</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtL">DeMarcus Cousins</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Sacramento</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">C</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">6-11</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">270</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Kentucky/USA</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="cnnIERowAltBG">
<td class="cnnIEColTxtL">Landry Fields</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">New York</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">G</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">6-7</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">210</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Stanford/USA</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtL">Paul George</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Indiana</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">G-F</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">6-8</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">215</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Fresno State/USA</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="cnnIERowAltBG">
<td class="cnnIEColTxtL">Blake Griffin</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">L.A. Clippers</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">F</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">6-10</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">251</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Oklahoma/USA</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtL">Gordon Hayward</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Utah</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">F</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">6-8</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">210</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Butler/USA</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="cnnIERowAltBG">
<td class="cnnIEColTxtL">Kyrie Irving</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Cleveland</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">G</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">6-3</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">191</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Duke/USA</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">R</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtL">Brandon Knight</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Detroit</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">G</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">6-3</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">189</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Kentucky/USA</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">R</td>
</tr>
<tr class="cnnIERowAltBG">
<td class="cnnIEColTxtL">Kawhi Leonard</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">San Antonio</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">G-F</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">6-7</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">225</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">San Diego State/USA</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">R</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtL">Greg Monroe</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Detroit</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">C</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">6-11</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">250</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Georgetown/USA</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="cnnIERowAltBG">
<td class="cnnIEColTxtL">Markieff Morris</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Phoenix</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">F</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">6-10</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">245</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Kansas/USA</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">R</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtL">Ricky Rubio</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Minnesota</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">G</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">6-4</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">180</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">FC Barcelona/Spain</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">R</td>
</tr>
<tr class="cnnIERowAltBG">
<td class="cnnIEColTxtL">Tiago Splitter</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">San Antonio</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">F-C</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">6-11</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">240</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Saski Baskonia/Brazil</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtL">Tristan Thompson</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Cleveland</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">F</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">6-9</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">227</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Texas/USA</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">R</td>
</tr>
<tr class="cnnIERowAltBG">
<td class="cnnIEColTxtL">Evan Turner</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Philadelphia</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">G-F</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">6-7</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">205</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Ohio State/USA</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">1</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtL">John Wall</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Washington</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">G</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">6-4</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">195</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Kentucky/USA</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">1</td>
</tr>
<tr class="cnnIERowAltBG">
<td class="cnnIEColTxtL">Kemba Walker</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Charlotte</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">G</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">6-1</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">172</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Connecticut/USA</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">R</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtL">Derrick Williams</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Minnesota</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">F</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">6-8</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">241</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">Arizona/USA</td>
<td class="cnnIEColTxtR">R</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p> </p>
<p><i><b>To talk about Griffin and the Clippers,<a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com"> head on over to Clips Nation</a>.</b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-lakers/2012/2/8/2785156/blake-griffin-rising-stars-challenge-2012-nba-all-starAvinash Kunnath2012-02-02T23:16:35-08:002012-02-02T23:16:35-08:00NBA All-Star Weekend: No Slam Dunk Contest Repeat For Blake Griffin
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> made history on Thursday, as <span>Blake Griffin</span> and <span>Chris Paul</span> were named <a target="_blank" href="http://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-lakers/2012/2/2/2767156/nba-all-star-game-chris-paul-blake-griffin-starting-lineup-clippers-western-conference">starters for the 2012 NBA All-Star Game</a>. The top two residents of Lob City are the first Clippers ever to be elected to start an All-Star Game since the franchise moved to Los Angeles, and the first starter(s) since World B. Free started the 1980 All-Star Game when the franchise was in San Diego.</p>
<p>However, while Griffin will make his second All-Star appearance in two years in the league - he was a reserve last season - his All-Star weekend will not be as full this season in Orlando as it was in 2011 at Staples Center in Los Angeles. Dan Woike of the Orange County Register delivered the bad news after <a target="_blank" href="http://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-clippers/2012/2/2/2768035/clippers-vs-nuggets-final-score-nba-staples-center">the Clippers lost 112-91 Thursday night</a> to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.denverstiffs.com/">Denver Nuggets</a> at Staples Center:
</p>
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<p><span class="metadata"><span class="author"><a href="http://twitter.com/DanWoikeSports"> <img src="http://a3.twimg.com/profile_images/1771399720/Detlef_normal.jpg"></a> <b><a href="http://twitter.com/DanWoikeSports">@DanWoikeSports</a></b><br>Dan Woike</span></span> Blake Griffin said he would not participate in this years dunk contest<br><span class="embedly_timestamp"> <a title="Fri Feb 03 06:30:45 +0000 2012" href="http://twitter.com/DanWoikeSports/status/165321304512266240">Feb 03</a> via <a href="http://www.tweetdeck.com" rel="nofollow">TweetDeck</a></span> <span class="tweet-actions"> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/favorite?tweet_id=165321304512266240" class="favorite-action" title="Favorite"> <span><i></i><b>Favorite</b></span> </a> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/retweet?tweet_id=165321304512266240" class="retweet-action" title="Retweet"> <span><i></i><b>Retweet</b></span> </a> <a href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?in_reply_to=165321304512266240" class="reply-action" title="Reply"> <span><i></i><b>Reply</b></span> </a> </span></p>
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<p>No KIA automobiles will be harmed in this year's All-Star festivities.</p>
<p><i><b>For more news and information on the Clippers, be sure to read <a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com">Clips Nation</a>.</b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-clippers/2012/2/2/2768053/blake-griffin-no-slam-dunk-contest-nba-all-star-weekendEric Stephen2012-02-02T16:45:33-08:002012-02-02T16:45:33-08:00NBA All-Star Game: Chris Paul, Blake Griffin First Clippers Starters Since 1980
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<p>The NBA on Thursday afternoon revealed the starters for the 2012 NBA All-Star Game, to be held at the Amway Center in Orlando on Sunday, February 26, and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.clipsnation.com/">Los Angeles Clippers</a> have made history. <span>Chris Paul</span> and <span>Blake Griffin</span> were both named starters for the Western Conference, the first All-Star starters for the franchise in 32 years.</p>
<p>The last Clippers player to start an All-Star Game was World B. Free in 1980, when the franchise was located in San Diego.</p>
<p>Paul was second among guards in the Western Conference. Paul will start alongside <span>Kobe Bryant</span> of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silverscreenandroll.com/">Los Angeles Lakers</a>, who led all Western Conference guards in votes. This is the fifth consecutive All-Star selection for Paul, who will be a starter for the fourth time in his career.</p>
<p>Griffin, who was an All-Star reserve in his rookie season last year, finished second among Western Conference forwards. He will start alongside <span>Kevin Durant</span> of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.welcometoloudcity.com/">Oklahoma City Thunder</a>, who garnered ... votes. Griffin beat out fellow forwards <span>Dirk Nowitzki</span> and <span>Pau Gasol</span> for his first All-Star start.</p>
<p><span>Andrew Bynum</span> of the Lakers will start at center for the Western Conference, giving Los Angeles four of the five starters.</p>
<p><i><b>For more news and analysis of Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, and the Clippers, be sure to read <a target="_blank" href="http://www.clipsnation.com/">Clips Nation</a>.</b></i></p>
https://losangeles.sbnation.com/los-angeles-lakers/2012/2/2/2767156/nba-all-star-game-chris-paul-blake-griffin-starting-lineup-clippers-western-conferenceEric Stephen