For one weekend, the Celtics will take a break from trying to beat up on every team in the NBA, and join forces with some of their biggest rivals.
You’ll see a lot of love between these guys. But just how genuine is it?
“In the All-Star Game, I’ve always laughed. You see them laughing, joking,” C’s coach Doc Rivers said. “You know, they’re so freaking phony right now. That’s what you want to say.”
Rajon Rondo agreed. Playing in his first Game last season, he could sense a little tension among fellow All-Stars.
“I think it is [phony] too, if you ask me,” Rondo said. “I can’t call anybody out, but yeah. Everybody on the East [this year], I pretty much get along with.”
The Celtics will send four All-Stars to L.A., while the rival Heat will send three. Even coming off a physical game less than a week ago, Kevin Garnett said that there won’t be any issues between them.
“I think guys actually relax a little bit, play with one another, enjoy the weekend — and then after that it’s over,” Garnett said.
KG may be saying the right things, but Ray Allen admitted that while players can try to relax, it’s only to a certain extent.
“I don’t think you truly relax and say, ‘Hey we’re best buddies now because we play together on the All-Star team,’” the shooting star said.
“A couple years ago with Detroit, we won the All-Star Game in 2008, and Rasheed [Wallace] said, ‘Thank you for helping me make this extra money, but now we hate you guys again.’”
Skills Challenge
Field: Chris Paul, four of: Stephen Curry, Baron Davis, Tyreke Evans, Derek Fisher, Tony Parker, Derrick Rose, John Wall and Russell Westbrook
Our pick: There’s a reason this as touted as “Chris Paul vs. the World.” Gotta go with CP3 here, no matter who he matches up with.
3-Point Shootout
Field: Ray Allen, Kevin Durant, Daniel Gibson, James Jones, Paul Pierce, Dorell Wright
Our pick: We figure this will come down to Allen, the 2001 champ, and Pierce, who won it last year. Our heart says Allen, our head says Pierce — by a hair.
