Griffin, Rubio Headline 2012 Rising Stars Challenge Participants
Feb 08, 2012 3:18 PM EST

The NBA has announced the 2012 Rising Stars Challenge participants on Wednesday.

Sophomores selected include DeMarcus Cousins (Sacramento Kings), Landry Fields (New York Knicks), Blake Griffin (Los Angeles Clippers), Gordon Hayward (Utah Jazz), Greg Monroe (Detroit Pistons), Tiago Splitter (San Antonio Spurs), Evan Turner (Philadelphia 76ers) Paul George (Indiana Pacers), and John Wall (Washington Wizards).

Freshmen selected include Kyrie Irving (Cleveland Cavaliers), Ricky Rubio (Minnesota Timberwolves), Brandon Knight (Detroit Pistons), Kawhi Leonard (San Antonio Spurs), Markieff Morris (Phoenix Suns), Marshon Brooks (New Jersey Nets), Tristan Thompson (Cleveland Cavaliers), Kemba Walker (Charlotte Bobcats) and Derrick Williams (Minnesota Timberwolves).

Read more: http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/218888/Griffin_Rubio_Headline_2012_Rising_Stars_Challenge_Participants#ixzz1lueAJSKg

Knicks' D’Antoni miffed by Shumpert slight
Knicks Blog
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By MARC BERMAN

Last Updated: 9:32 AM, February 9, 2012

Posted: 1:48 AM, February 9, 2012
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WASHINGTON — A livid Mike D’Antoni blasted the assistant coaches who didn’t vote for rookie Iman Shumpert for Feb. 24’s All-Star Rookie-Sophomore competition, saying he was “shocked.”

Shumpert, the 17th overall pick, was the Knicks’ starting point guard until Jeremy Lin came along last weekend.

“I was shocked he didn’t make it,’’ D’Antoni said before the Knicks' 107-93 victory over the Wizards last night. “Not taking anything away from other guys.’’

D’Antoni was informed assistant coaches are the ones who vote on the players.

“Could be a reason why they’re assistants,” D’Antoni said. “Because he plays as well as anybody. Iman deserved to be on it. It’s too bad.”

“I can guarantee there’s no rookie better defensively. That’s half the game. The other half he played well after being put in a spot where he had to be the point guard. And he’s not naturally a point guard. His best position is 2 and he can play 3. I’m shocked. That’s wild.’’

Landry Fields was voted as one of the sophomores. The format has changed, as the rookies and sophomores will be mixed together on teams. The rookies making it were Cleveland’s Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson, Minnesota’s Ricky Rubio and Derrick Williams, Nets’ MarShon Brooks, Detroit’s Brandon Knight, San Antonio’s Kawhi Leonard, Phoenix’s Markieff Morris, and Charlotte’s Kemba Walker. The Knicks bypassed Brooks for Shumpert.

Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/knicks/antoni_miffed_by_shumpert_slight_3M9AvCLnqJuIGvqGV4wFTP#ixzz1luewqMz9

WTF? Shumpert not in? They should add both Shumpert and Lin into that list.

rp wrote:I think someone mentioned Marshon is injured so there is a possibility Shump may go?

CrushAlot wrote:It is too bad Lin didn't get some run earlier in the year. It would be great seeing him in that game.

we'll have to settle for Lin vs Rubio on Saturday.

I think Shump didn't make it because of that Memphis game on TNT where he went 3-15. that's probably the only time a lot of assistants who haven't played the knicks yet saw shump. It was a bad game and barkley and reggie miller gleefully killed him the whole time. Que sera.

airchibundo507 wrote:

crzymdups wrote:

CrushAlot wrote:It is too bad Lin didn't get some run earlier in the year. It would be great seeing him in that game.

we'll have to settle for Lin vs Rubio on Saturday.

I think Shump didn't make it because of that Memphis game on TNT where he went 3-15. that's probably the only time a lot of assistants who haven't played the knicks yet saw shump. It was a bad game and barkley and reggie miller gleefully killed him the whole time. Que sera.

5-20

yeah, sorry, meant he started 3-15 in the first half. in that light, going 2-5 in the second half is actually pretty solid.

I know he can thread the needle!

MaTT4281 wrote:Shump got shafted, but congratulations to Landry! Really one hell of a turn around this season.

D’Antoni was informed assistant coaches are the ones who vote on the players.
“Could be a reason why they’re assistants,” D’Antoni said.

Go Mike!

Yeah he's really been sticking up for his guys this year. Too bad I can never understand what F he is saying unless it's in print.