Carmelo Anthony took advantage of his only on-court appearance of All-Star weekend, scoring 31 points last night in Denver to lead the sophomores to a 133-106 victory over the rookies in an exhibition between the top stars from the two classes.
Teaming with LeBron James for the first time since the Olympics, Anthony fell just three points short of his season high with the Nuggets, winding up with five dunks, including three straight early in the second half while the game was still competitive.
"I know he can play the game of basketball," James said of Anthony. "Things haven't gone his way so far this year, but . . . I'm so happy for him that he got the MVP tonight."
James had 20 points. Dwyane Wade finished with 12 points and nine assists.
They'll both be playing in the All-Star Game tomorrow, but Anthony won't. A struggle during the first half of the season left him off the roster.
James won't dunk
James ended days of speculation by deciding to sit out today's All-Star dunk contest because of a sore left ankle and a lingering flu.
"I'm still a little sick and my ankle's still a little tender," James said. "I'm not getting as much lift as I know I can get off this ankle. I'll be there in attendance, but I won't be participating in it."
Union head hopeful
The president of the NBA players union emerged from a collective bargaining session and said he's optimistic a new labor agreement will be reached by the end of the regular season.
"It's almost impossible to get one done come playoff time, so I'm optimistic that it's going to get done before the end of the (season)," union President Michael Curry said.
The 90-minute meeting included eight players and six owners, along with Commissioner David Stern, union director Billy Hunter and attorneys for both sides.
Lakers update
Interim coach Frank Hamblen will remain in charge of the Lakers for the rest of the season, General Manager Mitch Kupchak told reporters in Los Angeles, and he'll have fresh help on the bench after the All-Star break.
Brian Shaw and Kurt Rambis were added as assistants. Kupchak did not mention the futures of assistants Larry Smith, Mike Wells, Melvin Hunt and Chris Bodaken for the rest of the season.
