Isaiah Thomas (East) y LaMarcus Aldridge (West) los Jugadores de la Semana en la NBA y otras notas más sobre el NBA All-Star Game 2016

BOSTON’S THOMAS AND SAN ANTONIO’S ALDRIDGE NAMED

NBA EASTERN AND WESTERN CONFERENCE PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

The Boston Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas and the San Antonio Spurs’ LaMarcus Aldridge today were named NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Feb. 1 through Sunday, Feb. 7.

Thomas led the Celtics to a 4-0 week, including a road victory against the Eastern Conference-leading Cleveland Cavaliers.  He averaged 20.3 points (12^th in the East), 7.0 assists (tied for fourth in the conference) and 4.5 rebounds.  On Feb. 7, the Celtics’ point guard capped his week by recording 22 points, nine assists, four rebounds, two steals and only one turnover as Boston defeated the Sacramento Kings 128-119 for its ninth victory in 10 games.  Thomas, a first-time NBA All-Star selection, will appear in the 65^th NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 14 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

Aldridge, who was also selected to the 2016 NBA All-Star Game, sparked the Spurs to a 4-0 week.  He averaged 26.0 points (tied for seventh in the NBA), 7.3 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots (tied for fourth in the West).  He shot 59.7 percent from the field and 90.9 percent from the free throw line.  Aldridge scored at least 26 points in three of four games, including a season-high 36-point performance to go with six rebounds and three blocks in a 110-97 victory against the New Orleans Pelicans on Feb. 3.

Here is a recap of the week for Thomas and Aldridge:

Isaiah Thomas, Boston Celtics

Feb. 2 @ New York: Scored 20 points and added eight assists and five rebounds during a 97-89 victory against the Knicks.

Feb. 3 vs. Detroit: Finished with 17 points, seven assists and five rebounds in a 102-95 win over the Pistons.      

Feb. 5 @ Cleveland: Recorded 22 points (11-of-11 on free throws), four assists and four rebounds in a 104-103 win over the Cavaliers.

Feb. 7 vs. Sacramento: Posted 22 points, nine assists, four rebounds and two steals in a 128-119 victory against the Kings.  

LaMarcus Aldridge, San Antonio Spurs

Feb. 1 vs. Orlando: Scored 28 points (9-of-13 from the field) and chipped in five blocks and four rebounds in a 107-92 win over the Magic. 

Feb. 3 vs. New Orleans: Scored 36 points and added six rebounds and three blocks during a 110-97 victory against the Pelicans.

Feb. 5 @ Dallas: Contributed 14 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, two blocks and two steals in a 116-90 win over the Mavericks. 

Feb. 6 vs. L.A. Lakers: Recorded 26 points and nine rebounds in a 106-102 victory against the Lakers. 

Other nominees for the NBA Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week were Atlanta’s Jeff Teague, Charlotte’s Marvin Williams, Golden State’s Stephen Curry, the Los Angeles Clippers’ DeAndre Jordan, the Los Angeles Lakers’ Kobe Bryant, Toronto’s DeMar DeRozan and Utah’s Gordon Hayward.

LISA BORDERS NAMED WNBA PRESIDENT

- Veteran Executive to Take Helm as League Celebrates its 20^th Season -

Lisa Borders, who brings more than 25 years of experience in operations, marketing, government relations and public service, has been appointed President of the WNBA, it was announced today by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.   
Borders, who served most recently as Chair of The Coca-Cola Foundation and Vice President, Global Community Affairs at The Coca-Cola Company, will lead the world’s premier women’s basketball league, which tips off its historic 20^th season on May 14.  She will join the WNBA on March 21. 
Borders was instrumental in bringing the WNBA to Atlanta in 2008, when she served as Vice Mayor of Atlanta and President of the City Council.  The Atlanta Dream has since become a mainstay of the Atlanta sports scene and part of the fabric of the local community.    

“As a proven executive with a passion for the WNBA and the game of basketball, Lisa is the right leader at a pivotal time in the league’s history,” said Silver.  “She will be responsible for spearheading our efforts to strengthen the WNBA and accelerate its growth.”

“The WNBA has reached a significant milestone, and I feel privileged to be joining the league at such an exciting time,” said Borders.  “I have always been a staunch supporter of this league and its tremendous athletes.  I am impressed by their talent and inspired by their passion.  The athleticism of the game and the sportsmanship exhibited between teams offers clear evidence of our ability to grow women’s basketball.”     
Borders has worked and delivered results in all three sectors: public, private and non-profit.  Prior to The Coca-Cola Company, Borders was President of the City Council and Vice Mayor of Atlanta, where her duties included managing the legislative branch of government and maintaining the relationship with the Mayor’s office during Mayor Shirley Franklin’s administration.  Among her community initiatives were increasing the availability of affordable housing, addressing the region’s traffic challenges, and promoting neighborhood safety and preservation.  She was also President of the Grady Health Foundation, the fundraising arm of Grady Health System, Georgia’s largest public hospital and metro-Atlanta’s premier level I trauma center. 

She also served as Senior Vice President of Marketing and External Affairs with Cousins Properties Incorporated, an Atlanta-based Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT), as well as President of the Cousins Properties Foundation.  Prior to joining Cousins, Borders worked for more than 15 years as a senior health care administrator and operations executive, where she formulated successful long-term operational strategies, financial plans and budget objectives to ensure the organizations met their goals and operated efficiently.  

Borders’ work in the community has focused primarily on family issues in the areas of education, healthcare and housing.  She serves as a trustee of Duke University and The Westminster Schools, and she is a board member of Atlanta Women's Foundation, Grady Health System, Woodruff Arts Center and Operation Hope.  As a co-founder of No Labels, Borders remains deeply engaged with public policy.  She has received numerous honors and consistent recognition for her corporate and civic work.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Duke University and a master’s of science in health administration from the University of Colorado.

About the WNBA

The WNBA, which features 12 teams, is a unique global sports property combining competition, sportsmanship, and entertainment with its status as an icon for social change, achievement, and diversity.  The league, which counts Verizon as its leaguewide marquee partner, will begin its 20^th season on May 14, 2016.

Through WNBA Cares, the WNBA is deeply committed to creating programs that improve the quality of life for all people, with a special emphasis on programs that promote a healthy lifestyle and positive body image, increase breast and women’s health awareness, support youth and family development, and focus on education.  For more information on the WNBA, log on to www.wnba.com.

STEVE NASH, YAO MING, ANDRE DRUMMOND, KARL-ANTHONY TOWNS, DEVIN BOOKER NAMED HONORARY COACHES FOR FIFTH ANNUAL NBA CARES SPECIAL OLYMPICS UNIFIED^® BASKETBALL GAME AT

NBA ALL-STAR 2016

– Stephen Curry and Dell Curry to Tip Off Game at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, Feb. 13 –

NEW YORK, Feb. 9, 2016 – The National Basketball Association (NBA) and Special Olympics today announced that two-time Kia NBA MVP Steve Nash, NBA Legend Yao Ming, NBA All-Star Andre Drummond and 2016 BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge participant Karl-Anthony Towns have been named Honorary Coaches for the fifth annual NBA Cares Special Olympics Unified^® Basketball Game at NBA All-Star 2016. They will join ESPN’s Sage Steele, 2016 Foot Locker Three-Point Contest participant Devin Booker, Milwaukee Bucks forward Khris Middleton and NBA Cares Ambassador Isaiah Austin to lead the East and West squads. 2015 NBA Champion Stephen Curry and his father, NBA Legend Dell Curry, will tip off the game at Toronto’s Enercare Centre at 2 p.m. ET on Saturday, Feb. 13.

This year’s 40-minute demonstration game will feature 12 Special Olympics athletes from around the world playing alongside NBA legends and WNBA legends/players, including Bruce Bowen, Jason Collins, Tamika Catchings and Ticha Penicheiro for the West, and Detlef Schrempf, Tracy McGrady, Special Olympics Global Ambassador Elena Delle Donne and WNBA Cares Ambassador and 2003 WNBA Finals MVP Ruth Riley for the East.  The majority of Special Olympics athletes competing in the game also competed at the 2015 Special Olympics World Games in Los Angeles.

First held at NBA All-Star 2012, the NBA Cares Special Olympics Unified^® Basketball Game will bring together athletes with and without intellectual disabilities as teammates to showcase the power of Special Olympics, which helps to unify communities and foster an environment of acceptance and inclusion.  Following the game, NBA Legend A.C. Green, Jeremy Lamb, Rodney Hood and Lindsay Whalen will host 75 youth athletes from local Special Olympics Programs for a basketball clinic on the NBA FIT Court presented by Kumho Tire at Enercare Centre.

“The NBA Cares Special Olympics Unified^® Basketball Game has become a highlight of our NBA Cares All-Star efforts,” said NBA Senior Vice President, Social Responsibility Todd Jacobson.  “We value the passion Special Olympics shares for basketball and inclusion and are looking forward to bringing together some of the best athletes from across the globe for this terrific game.”

West                                                                                 East

Bruce Bowen, NBA Legend

Jason Collins, NBA Cares Ambassador

Tamika Catchings, Indiana Fever

Ticha Penicheiro, WNBA Legend

Eliza Mills, Australia

Franck Cedric Koffi, Cote d’Ivoire

Milton Vieira, Italy

Natalie Branscombe, Canada (Nova Scotia)

Sarah Byrne, Ireland

Gohulan Rajalingam, Canada (Toronto)

Detlef Schrempf, NBA Legend

Tracy McGrady, 7-time NBA All-Star

Elena Delle Donne, Chicago Sky       

Ruth Riley, WNBA Cares Ambassador & 2003 WNBA Finals MVP

Duquan Walker, U.S. (Mississippi)

James Black, U.S. (Washington, D.C.)

Jose Rondon Zapata, Venezuela

Maria-Lamprini Dragkola, Greece

Matt Grimes, U.S. (Massachusetts)

Temitope Amodu, Nigeria

These 12 Special Olympics athletes will also enjoy a memorable NBA All-Star experience, including a meet-and-greet with members of the NBA family and tickets to marquee events throughout the week.  

“Giving our athletes the chance to compete alongside NBA and WNBA players on a world stage as part of NBA All-Star helps us continue to break down the barriers that exist for our population – a population that is marginalized and oftentimes ignored all over the world,” said Mary Davis, Acting CEO, Special Olympics.  “We are incredibly thankful to our longstanding partners at the NBA and their continued support of this fifth annual NBA Cares Special Olympics Unified^® Basketball Game.”

The NBA’s global partnership with Special Olympics began more than 30 years ago when the league helped introduce basketball as a new sport to the organization.  The NBA has since provided sponsorship to Special Olympics basketball tournaments, created public service announcements featuring NBA players and participated in major Special Olympics events.  Through NBA Cares, the NBA family has hosted international clinics for Special Olympics athletes in China, Turkey, Puerto Rico, Russia, France, Greece, Italy, Brazil, Spain, England, Mexico and, with this event, Canada.

  NBA CARES ALL-STAR EFFORTS

TIP OFF IN TORONTO THURSDAY, FEB. 11

– Inaugural Jr. NBA Day Highlights More Than 35 Events Impacting Tens of Thousands of

Local Youth and Families –

The NBA Cares All-Star efforts tip off Thursday, Feb. 11, when the NBA family will work with more than 250 schools and community organizations to give back to the city of Toronto.  More than 35 community events will take place over four days, impacting tens of thousands of local youth and families.

On Friday, Feb. 12, the Jr. NBA presented by Under Armour will host its first-ever Jr. NBA Day at Enercare Centre for more than 2,500 children from the Peel District School Board, Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, Halton District School Board, Halton Catholic District School Board, York Region District School Board, and York Catholic District School Board.  The 2016 NBA All-Stars will join current and former NBA, WNBA and NBA Development League players to lead Jr. NBA basketball clinics on more than 40 courts and baskets.  Each of the kids in attendance will be fully outfitted by Under Armour, including sneakers, T-shirts, shorts, and socks. 

The Jr. NBA, the league’s youth basketball participation program that teaches the fundamental skills as well as the core values of the game, launched its expanded efforts in October 2015 with the goal of reaching five million youth in the U.S. and Canada over a two-year period.  Earlier this season, the Jr. NBA “Rookie Division” launched in Canada to engage boys and girls ages five to seven with the support of BMO Financial Group, the Official Bank of NBA Canada and an official partner of the Jr. NBA program in Canada.  YMCA Canada, on behalf of its nationwide network of YMCAs, is partnering with the Jr. NBA and has registered to be part of its network.  YMCA Canada will also launch a new public service campaign featuring Canadian-born NBA players to promote opportunities for kids to forge new friendships and learn essential life skills through the game of basketball. 

Also on Friday, nearly 1,000 members of the NBA family and NBA All-Star guests will roll up their sleeves to sort and repack 110,000 pounds of food donations to benefit more than 30,000 Canadians in need.  The project, in partnership with Daily Bread Food Bank, will take place with the support of SAP and State Farm^® as part of the NBA Cares All-Star Day of Service.

The NBA Cares All-Star efforts get underway Thursday, Feb. 11, when current and former NBA, WNBA and NBA D-League players lead basketball and fitness clinics at 10 schools throughout Toronto as part of the NBA All-Star FIT Celebration.  With support from Kaiser Permanente, the NBA will work with the Toronto District School Board and the Toronto Catholic District School Board to host basketball clinics focusing on the importance of healthy living while teaching the fundamentals of the game. 

The fifth annual NBA Cares Special Olympics Unified Basketball Game & Clinic highlights the community events on Saturday, Feb. 13.  The Unified Basketball Game will feature NBA legends, WNBA players and legends, and 12 Special Olympics athletes from around the world competing in a 40-minute demonstration game at Enercare Centre as part of NBA Centre Court.  Also on Saturday, NBA Cares will partner with The Remix Project, a youth-led arts organization that helps level the playing field for young people from underserved communities, to host a leadership panel featuring prominent figures in sports and entertainment.

The NBA will partner with Make-A-Wish^® and The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada to grant wishes to five families at NBA All-Star 2016, including meet-and-greets with NBA All-Star participants and a host of other activities.  Current and former NBA, WNBA and NBA D-League players will also visit young patients at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto (SickKids).  

The community service efforts continue Sunday, Feb. 14, when members of the NBA family and Wheelchair Basketball Canada host an NBA Cares Wheelchair Basketball Clinic at Enercare Centre for 30 local youth with and without disabilities. 

NBA Cares is the league’s global social responsibility initiative that builds on the NBA’s mission of addressing important social issues.  This season, as part of the 10^th anniversary of its creation, NBA Cares is renewing its commitment to communities around the world by inspiring play and teaching basketball’s values to more than 15 million youth, providing an additional 3 million hours of hands-on service to others, and leaving a lasting legacy in communities by building 1,000 more safe places to live, learn or play by 2025. 

Moderator:  Josephine Mezzina

February 5, 2016

10:30 am ET

Operator:  Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for standing by and welcome to the Paul George International Media Call. As a reminder, if you would like to ask a question on today’s call, it’s the star followed by the 1 on your telephone keypad. I’ll turn the call over to Mike Perrelli. Please go ahead.

Mike Perrelli:  Good morning, good afternoon, good evening everybody. Mike Perrelli from NBA PR here along with Chase Kressel and Elliot Steinbaum. Just as a reminder, if you need to ask a question, please dial star, 1 on your keypad. We have Paul here now. Paul George who is appearing in his third career All Star Game in Toronto on Sunday, February 14 at 8:30 pm Eastern. Just as a reminder, this is the first NBA All Star Game to be held outside of the United States. With that, let’s open it up to questions.

Operator:  Okay. Our first question is from David Chinellato with NBA Italy. Please go ahead.

David Chinellato:  Hi Paul. Thank you for doing this. My question is about your unique journey from being seriously injured and then making it to the All Star Game. How tough was that for you to make it back and how good is it to be in an All Star Game?

Paul George: It’s amazing. This one is probably the one that touches the most ((inaudible)) and built my way back up because ((inaudible)) an All Star once more. I just feel like that everyone that followed me through the journey played a huge part and I’m very thankful for all the fans that have and voted me back and got me into my third All Star Game.

Operator:  Next question comes from (Shen Yang) with Tencent. Please go ahead.

(Shen Yang):  Hi Paul. ((inaudible)) Kobe challenged Jordan for the MVP title. Since this year it will be Kobe’s last All Star Game do you look to challenge Kobe ((inaudible)) Kobe stopped Jordan from winning the MVP title?

Paul George:  I’m more just looking forward to just giving a great performance for the fans that voted me in. I definitely wanting to play my best and just have fun out there. I’m definitely looking at to enjoy the moment so if me and Kobe play, go around the All Star Game just looking forward to and enjoying that moment.

Operator:  Next question is from Nira Khurana with Excelsior.

Nira Khurana:  Hi Paul. You’ve talked a lot about the injury that you had but I was wondering if you had seen the replay of your injury and if so, what are your thoughts on what happened?

Paul George:  No, I’ve only watched it once and I won’t watch it again. It’s a one-time thing. Just had to see what happened. I’ve put it behind me in the past. Passed that situation now.

Operator:  Thank you. Next question is from Martin Klotz with SPOX in Germany.

Martin Klotz:  Hi Paul. You had a fantastic start to the season but you’re in a little bit of a shooting slump right now. Is it the different kind of defense that’s bothering you or is it maybe you just simply doubting yourself a little bit too much lately?

Paul George:  It’s more so of just not being in competition for a little over a year. I think I’m still just getting adjusted to this. Trying to work my way through it, battling fatigue and legs tiring out. So just trying to build my legs back up and getting that endurance back up. But it’s something that I definitely ((inaudible)) just something for now and I’ll definitely turn it back up. ((inaudible)).

Operator:  Next question is from Julian Greenwood with Die Welt in Germany. Please go ahead.

Julian Greenwood:  Hi Paul. Thanks for your time. Really appreciate it. I’d just like to know after that great comeback you’ve got now after that terrible injury, and you’ve been to the All Star and to start immediately. Do you consider that as a sign of how much the people love you but also what they expect from you in the near future?

Paul George:  Yes, it definitely is a sign of both. That’s the reason why this to me is so special. It’s not just because the love for them to vote me back to being starter, it’s just the love. Then also, I expect a lot from myself. After the injury, going into the summer I expected to return to form. I expected to be my old self. I knew it was going to take some time to get back used to my legs, get back used to my body, get back top form on the court, but I did see myself being back to where I’m at now. I didn’t know I’d be here so soon. I was kind of just playing it by ear, going through the motion of this being the last step of rehab more or less be ((inaudible)) and work out whatever I needed to work out. But I am very happy to be at the point where I’m at right now.

Operator:  Thank you. The next question is from Brad Graham with Full Court Report in Australia. Please go ahead.

Brad Graham:  Paul, Brad from Full Court Report. Congratulations on a ((inaudible)) All Star selection. My question for you is at one point or another during the first half of this season you’ve played four of the NBA’s traditional positions. There seems to be this sort of growing importance on multi-faceted players, ((inaudible)) are moving away from the basket more, guards are sort of taking on sort of more rebounding responsibility. Do you feel like the old walls have come down and that we’re in the sort of era where there’s more positionless play in the NBA?

Paul George:  Yes. I mean certainly the game’s changed. It’s really the taller guys and stronger guys are really the ((inaudible)) the guard’s skill set nowadays. The game has definitely transitioned to where you’re playing it further and further away from the basket. It’s just a different game. It’s almost like having four guards now and one big man. It’s just a luxury to have a big guard that can play that forward spot and match up with a traditional big. The game is definitely changing. You know, it’s changing and it’s only going to I think at this rate and training I think it’s only going to transition to more and more bigger guards and more perimeter oriented game.

Operator:  Thank you. The next question is from Benny Bonsu with True Africa from the U.K. Please go ahead.

Benny Bonsu:  Hi Mr. George. How are you?

Paul George:  I’m good.

Benny Bonsu:  I just wanted to find out how excited are you to be doing the voice-over for the Cartoon Network’s Bare Bears ahead of the All Stars and what are you most looking forward to in Toronto?

Paul George:  I was very excited to be a part of the We Bare Bears little skit we did. First time doing something animated and doing a voice-over for it. It’s something I knew that’d be special ((inaudible)). But it was a lot of fun. I enjoyed it.

            What I’m looking forward to in Toronto is just being back in that moment, being back, hanging with the guys, being back playing in front of a lot of fans, playing in front of a great crowd and being in a great environment in Toronto. You just, you cherish those moments and just looking forward to being back to that.

Operator:  Thank you. The next question is from Vinay Sundar with Sportskeeda in India. Please go ahead.

Vinay Sundar:  Hi Paul. So my question is Indiana have now moved from a more defense-oriented style in the previous seasons to one where it’s a much more fluid style of basketball. As ((inaudible)) pointed out earlier, you moved from the small forward position to the power forward more and you’re also averaging your highest points per game in a season. Do you think the change in style has helped you become a more overall basketball player?

Paul George:  I think I have but I haven’t played forward since the beginning of the season. I moved back to the three-spot, but I have become a more complete player playing with a smaller group just because triple-drive game, understanding space and understanding where guys are at on the floor, playing a faster style. So it was a different adjustment that I think added on to me playing traditional big to now learning how to play with ((inaudible)). So I’ve definitely learned a lot.

Operator:  Thank you. The next question is from Akinbode Oguntuyi with Sportsvision Nigeria. Please go ahead.

Akinbode Oguntuyi:  Hello Paul. My colleagues have pointed out that you’re playing better, you’re scoring more points but if you look at Indiana, Indiana were one of the powerhouse teams in the East a couple of years back and then your injury happened. Nowadays, you’re playing better, you’re scoring more points. Do you think you need help in the (team)? Do you think there’s any chance that in their future Indiana will again be in a position to challenge for the title?

Paul George:  Can you ask that again? Can you ask that question again?

Akinbode Oguntuyi:  Okay Paul. I said that my colleagues have pointed out that you’re playing better, you’re scoring more points but Indiana, before your injury, they were one of the powerhouse teams in East. Now you’re number seven. Do you think you need more help and do you think - how soon do you think Indiana will be back challenging for the title?

Paul George:  I think we’re doing a well job. We all here at Indiana think we should be a lot better than what we are, but bigger picture we’ve lost a lot of close games that we possibly could have won. Just, you know, us being a new group and not understanding how to put it together yet and close games. But I don’t think we’re that bad off. Again, we’ve challenged every team. We’ve challenged the best teams. It’s a tough game, but again, it’s just our inexperience with us being together sort of our first year I think is - we took some growing pains and some learning pains but this is the type of group that if we continue to play well, we continue to learn each other, going into playoff time this is one of those teams that really ignites, come together at the right time and learn from our mistakes earlier in the season.

Operator:  Thank you. Next is Dario Vismara with NBA Official Magazine in Italy. Please go ahead.

Dario Vismara:  Hello Paul. You’re currently seventh in the standing with the Indiana Pacers, just two games behind the third place because this conference is conference crazy this year. Behind Cleveland, what’s your ranking of the teams in the playoffs that you’d like?

Paul George:  What’s our - the rankings?

Dario Vismara:  Yes.

Paul George:  Could you ask that question again?

Dario Vismara:  Yes. Behind Cleveland, what’s your ranking of the teams in the playoff race in the Eastern Conference right now?

Paul George:  I mean the rankings is what it is. The East is very ((inaudible)) this year. I think we definitely should be one of the top echelon teams in the East. We would have been had we learned how to close games out sufficient where we wanted to be. But the East is competitive this year and every team ends up slotted where they are right now is deserving of that position.

Operator:  Thank you. The next question is from David Chinellato with NBA Italy. Please go ahead.

David Chinellato:  Paul, what about your team? What do you think it can do ((inaudible))?

Paul George:  Ask that again.

David Chinellato:  What about your Pacers? What do you think you can do in the East and in the playoffs this season? You kind of - it seems like you have finally found a starting five you like and you can go on the whole season with.

Paul George:  Yes. Yes, we have a group that’s playing well. Our starting lineup is playing really well right now and it’s good that we’re getting some experience of chemistry with one another. But again, this team can really make a push late in the season if we continue to grow together. We started out hot and we kind of peaked, we kind of peaked early while the rest of the teams, or the rest of the league just gets better and improving ((inaudible)). For us, it’s just continue to improve, continue the chemistry and, again, we’ll be pretty happy and satisfied at the end of the year.

Mike Perrelli:  Guys, we have time for two more questions. Thank you.

Operator: Thank you. Our next question is from (Jan Sude) with L’Equipe in France. Please go ahead.

(Jan Sude):  Hello Paul. Ian Mahinmi is having his best season and the first one as a starter. How important is he for the team on and off the court?

Paul George:  Ian has been real important for us, especially losing Roy. Ian is the next best thing in terms of ((inaudible)) and protecting the (run) for us. He’s also been great for our young guy Myles Turner to learn from and to set examples for. But this year he’s definitely picked up his play and I think one of the things that makes the game easier for us as far as not just playing a small-ball style and have four guards playing around that can facilitate setting him up with the easy baskets. He’s definitely had a big year for us. He’s definitely a huge piece for us and we’re very happy to have him here.

Operator:  Thank you. The next question is from Naveen Ganglani with Rappler.com in the Philippines. Please go ahead.

Naveen Ganglani:  Hey Paul, based on the season you’ve had so far do you feel like your name should be mentioned in the MVP conversation more than it is?

Paul George:  I mean if we won the games that we should have and we were where we’re supposed to be then yes. But right now I’m not doing a good enough job of finishing games for this team, and you look at the top guys that are performing well and in the MVP conversation, they’re doing an amazing job with their respective teams and that’s the point I’m trying to get to right now. I wouldn’t even be satisfied if I was in the conversations right now.

Mike Perrelli:  Awesome. Paul, thank you so much for joining us today. We really appreciate it.

Paul George:  Yes, no problem. Thanks you guys for asking.

Mike Perrelli:  You got it. We’ll see you in Toronto.

Paul George:  Okay. Sounds good.

Mike Perrelli:  All right. Folks on the line, just a reminder that this is Paul George’s third All Star Game. The game is scheduled for Sunday, February 14 at 8:30 pm Eastern, and that this is the first All Star Game to be held outside of the United States.

            We’ll have a full transcript and audio file available on Media Central, probably within the next two hours or so. If you have any questions you could reach out to me via email at mperrelli - M-P-E-R-R-E-L-L-I at NBA.com. Thanks a lot for joining us today and we’ll talk to you all soon. Bye-bye.

Operator:  Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your participation. You may now disconnect.

END

BULLS’ GASOL TO REPLACE BUTLER IN 2016 NBA ALL-STAR GAME

Chicago Bulls center Pau Gasol has been named by NBA Commissioner Adam Silver to replace his teammate, injured Eastern Conference All-Star reserve Jimmy Butler (strained left knee), in the 2016 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 14 at Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

This marks the sixth NBA All-Star Game selection for Gasol, who is averaging 17.0 points, 10.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.0 blocks for the Bulls (27-24). 

The 65^th NBA All-Star Game, the first NBA All-Star Game held outside the United States, will be televised by TNT at 8 p.m. ET and broadcast by ESPN Radio.  TNT will air the All-Star Game in the U.S. for the 14^th straight year, marking Turner Sports’ 31^st year of NBA All-Star coverage.  Sportsnet ONE and TSN will simulcast the All-Star Game in Canada.  The game will be seen by fans in 215 countries and territories and will be heard in 49 languages. 

NBA ALL-STAR 2016 BY THE NUMBERS

- Toronto to Host First NBA All-Star Game Outside the United States -

TORONTO, Feb. 10, 2016 – NBA All-Star 2016 in Toronto marks the first time that the league’s midseason classic will be held outside the United States.  The 65^th NBA All-Star Game, televised by TNT and broadcast by ESPN Radio in the United States on Sunday, Feb. 14 at 8 p.m. ET from Air Canada Centre, will reach fans in 215 countries and territories in 49 languages.  Sportsnet ONE and TSN will simulcast the game in Canada. 

In honor of this being the Toronto Raptors’ 21^st NBA season, here are 21 facts and figures pertaining to NBA All-Star 2016:

NBA All-Star in Toronto

·      1 – The first NBA game was played in Maple Leaf Gardens in Toronto on Nov. 1, 1946, and featured the New York Knicks and the Toronto Huskies.

·      12 – A record-tying 12 Canadians are playing in the NBA this season, more than any other country outside the United States. Canadians Trey Lyles, Dwight Powell and Andrew Wiggins will be playing on the World Team in the BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge.

·      40 – NBA Centre Court at Enercare Centre will offer fans the opportunity to participate in a variety of basketball competitions and challenges on more than 40 courts and baskets.

·      52 – Fifty-two of the top high school boys and girls from 27 countries will travel to Toronto for the second annual Basketball without Borders Global Camp.

·      216 – NBA All-Star 2016 will feature 216 current NBA players and legends participating in events, including 41 members of the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

NBA Cares

·      35 / 250 – Highlighted by the inaugural Jr. NBA Day on Feb. 12, the league will host 35 events with more than 250 schools and community organizations in Toronto.

·      1,800 – For every assist made during the NBA All-Star Game, State Farm and NBA Cares will donate $1,800 to Boys & Girls Clubs.

·      110,000 – As part of the NBA Cares All-Star Day of Service, nearly 1,000 members of the NBA family and NBA All-Star guests will roll up their sleeves to sort and repack 110,000 pounds of food donations to benefit more than 30,000 Canadians in need.

NBA on TNT

·      14 / 31 – TNT will televise the All-Star Game in the U.S. for the 14^th consecutive year, marking Turner Sports’ 31^st year of NBA All-Star coverage.

·      27 / 21 – TNT sideline reporter Craig Sager returns to All-Star, marking the 27^th time he has covered the midseason celebration, while play-by-play announcer Marv Albert will be calling his 21^st All-Star Game.

NBA on ESPN Radio

·      20 – ESPN Radio will broadcast its 20^th NBA All-Star Game, having aired its first in 1996.

NBA on NBA TV

·       4 – NBA TV’s The Starters, a collective of four fan-focused voices – J.E. Skeets, Tas Melas, Trey Kerby and Leigh Ellis – return to their hometown of Toronto with a special weeklong All-Star series.

NBA All-Star Players

·      18 – Kobe Bryant has been named to 18 straight All-Star Games, a record for consecutive selections. His 18 all-time selections are one shy of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s record.

·      280 – Kobe Bryant has scored 280 points in the All-Star Game, the most all time. LeBron James is two points behind with 278.

·      3 – First-time All-Star selection Kawhi Leonard is one of three players in NBA history to be named an All-Star, Finals MVP and Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year. The others are Michael Jordan and Hakeem Olajuwon.

·      8 – Eight players in All-Star events have NBA D-League experience:

o   Will Barton (Verizon Slam Dunk); Khris Middleton (Foot Locker Three-Point Contest); Patrick Beverley (Taco Bell^® Skills Challenge); CJ McCollum (Skills); Jordan Clarkson (BBVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge); Marcus Smart (Stars); Clint Capela (Stars); and Dwight Powell (Stars).

·      10 – Ten 2016 NBA All-Stars are part of State Farm^® All-Star Saturday Night:  

o   Chris Bosh (Three-Point); DeMarcus Cousins (Skills); Stephen Curry (Three-Point); Anthony Davis (Skills); Andre Drummond (Dunk); Draymond Green (Skills); James Harden (Three-Point); Kyle Lowry (Three-Point); Isaiah Thomas (Skills); and Klay Thompson (Three-Point).

·      26 – Kevin Durant’s All-Star Game scoring average of 26.0 points is the highest of all time.

·      40 – Stephen Curry, Draymond Green and Klay Thompson give the Golden State Warriors three players in an All-Star Game for the first time in 40 years. Rick Barry, Phil Smith and Jamaal Wilkes represented the Warriors in the 1976 All-Star Game.

·      44 – Toronto’s Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan give the host city two guards in the All-Star Game for the first time in 44 years. Gail Goodrich and Jerry West represented the Lakers at the 1972 All-Star Game in Los Angeles.

·      60 – First-time All-Star selection Isaiah Thomas was the 60^th and final pick in NBA Draft 2011.