HEADLINES
HOLLYWOOD STAR
Kornheiser: We just got done with one of the most dramatic All Star Games in recent memory, with the West needing a last second turnaround jumper from Chris Bosh to win 153-152. But the real stars of the All Star game where LA players Kobe Bryant, who scored 30, and rookie Kevin Durant, who put up 24/5/5 and took home the MVP trophy. Durant is 19 years old, Mike, and already he’s got hardware. Was this Durant’s coming out party?
Wilbon: This season has been his coming out party. I don’t know how people could ignore this kid. He is a rookie, can’t drink yet, and he’s averaging 24 points a game on 56% from the field and 91% from the line. NINETY ONE PERCENT! The Clippers have a great team around this kid, and it’s crazy to me that on a team with Dirk and Jalen Rose, this teenager may be the best player on the team. It almost makes you wonder why they aren’t better, Tony.
Kornheiser: That’s easy, defense and youth. But both of those things will change, and it’s got to be nice to be a Clippers fan for once. Durant looks like he’s everything we wanted LeBron to be, and that won’t be his only award this season.
BLAZED AND CONFUSED
Wilbon: The Portland Trailblazers have to be one of the strangest front offices in the league. After trading Raja Bell and Drew Gooden for Pau Gasol, they just shipped him off to Atlanta for a late first round pick and Luke Walton, he of 1.6ppg. The Blazers have made questionable decisions in the past based on fit concerns. Does this move take the cake?
Kornheiser: Let’s save the cake for now, Mike, and talk about Pau Gasol. Yes, the Blazers traded Dirk in a strange move before, but this one may actually make sense. Pau has bounced around. This is now his third team since leaving Memphis, and everywhere he’s gone it’s been the same complaint: Pau doesn’t fit in the front court. Maybe that will change in Atlanta, but maybe Pau is more trouble than he’s worth. We should consider that.
Wilbon: Okay, I’ll consider it…AND THEN IMMEDIATELY DISMISS IT. Come on, Tony! This is Pau Gasol we’re talking about! He’s a walking double double. One of the strongest players in the league. Just because some teams can’t figure out how to utilize him doesn’t mean he’s the problem. And even if he has a personality issue, GM Wig Nosy can invite him into his office and show him the 4 rings he’s won. This is a great move by Atlanta, and a headscratcher for Portland. A headscratcher!
BROKEN BARON
Kornheiser: The All Star game is supposed to be an exhibition with no real winner or loser, but there was a big loser this year: the 76ers and Baron Davis. After a routine pass in the first quarter, Baron planted his foot wrong and broke a bone in his leg. He’s out for the rest of the season, and we’ve seen this have effects on multiple players over the years. What do you think about Baron’s break, Wilbon?
Wilbon: I think it’s a tragedy, and I think we need to do something about the All Star game. I know it’s a fun event, Tony, but it’s just so unfair that a team can send the best point guard in the league to an exhibition name, and because of a freak accident he’s gone for the year and your season is essentially over. No one deserves that.
Kornheiser: So you want to get rid of the All Star game? What if Baron plants his foot wrong against the Bucks? Then it’s suddenly okay? Injuries happen, Wilbon.
Wilbon: Yes, they do, and someone like Carmelo Anthony stays home that weekend, not selected to the All Star game, and he benefits from it because that’s one less chance to hurt himself. I’m not saying anything about getting rid of the game, I’m just saying something needs to be done.
Kornheiser: You’re not saying anything, that much we can agree on. Okay, folks, we’re gonna take a quick break, then we’ll come back with mail time.
