NOTEBOOK
DENVER – Rumor has it Michael Jordan is in Denver for All-Star weekend, renting the top two floors of a luxury hotel. Perhaps this weekend Jordan and LeBron James will finally meet. To date, incredibly, they have never spoke. Jordan has never given him a talk on how to be the new caretaker of pro basketball.
“I’ve heard him give some advice [in the papers] but I never sat down and talked to him,” said James during All-Star festivities yesterday.
Would he like to? “He’s the greatest player to ever play the game of basketball. Of course you can get advice from Michael Jordan. If you can’t get advice from him, I don’t know where you can get advice from.”
At age 20, James is on the cusp of winning the MVP Award. Jordan, at age 20, was still at North Carolina. With his maturity, great body, selflessness, ability to make teammates better, James is destined to become the greatest ever.
“I’m myself,” James said. “No next Jordan for me. Jordan is gone. I’m happy that I’m able to control my own destiny right now.”
And he believes commissioner David Stern’s push to have an age limit of 20 to stop high school kids from jumping to the NBA is wrong. “Guys that are doing well right now . . . they’re the top guys in the NBA,” James said. “So I don’t understand why people still want to [force] you to go to college.”
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Especially if the Spurs win another title, New Jersey native P.J. Carlesimo, who coached the rookie team in last night’s exhibition, could emerge on Isiah Thomas’ long list to coach the Knicks. Greg Popovich’s trusted aide is long overdue for consideration.
Asked if he still plans to return to head coaching, Carlesimo said: “I hope so. But this a job that’s better than some head coaching jobs. . . . I’m not going to leave . . . unless it’s a very good situation and a very dumb owner somewhere.” . . . The Nets’ Vince Carter, the lone local representative, spoke a lot about being thrilled to be out of Toronto. As far as the Nets making the playoffs, Carter said, “I don’t know. I think we have the ability to.”
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Carmelo Anthony didn’t make the All-Star team, but took advantage of his only on-court appearance this weekend, scoring 31 points last night night to lead the sophomores to a 133-106 victory over the rookies in an exhibition game.
Recuperating from an injured ankle and a bout with the flu, James had 20 points. With Associated Press
Slam-dunk competitors
Player Team
Chris Andersen Hornets
J.R. Smith Hornets
Josh Smith Hawks
Amare Stoudemire Suns
