ASS News » a broken knee. Davis is averaging 20.5 point

NEW YORK, N.Y. - New Orleans forward Anthony Davis was chosen Friday to replace the injured Kobe Bryant in the NBA All-Star game that will be played in his home city. "Its a great opportunity for me. Im excited to play in the game," said Davis, who was informed hed been added to the Western Conference roster by Pelicans coach Monty Williams. "When coach said it. I was speechless. I didnt know what to say. Im glad they chose me. Ill try to go out and represent New Orleans and the Pelicans." Davis was nearly chosen as a reserve, but missed by one spot in voting by Western Conference head coaches, a person with knowledge of the details told The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because vote totals were not released. Speaking before the Pelicans hosted the Minnesota Timberwolves, Davis acknowledged he was disappointed when he was initially left off the roster. "I was down, but I moved on. I understand that I have a lot more opportunities to try to get in the game," Davis recalled. "Today, it was great." The 2012 U.S. Olympian ended up getting into the Feb. 16 game at Smoothie King Center when NBA Commissioner Adam Silver chose him to replace Bryant, who was voted by fans to start but is still recovering from a broken knee. Davis is averaging 20.5 points, 10.5 rebounds and a league-leading 3.3 blocks for the Pelicans. Davis, the No. 1 pick in the 2012 draft, is also scheduled to play in the Rising Stars Challenge for rookies and second-year players next Friday. Davis confirmed he still intended to play in that game as well, but Williams was gratified he got into the main event as well. Williams said he thought Davis had worked so hard and was having such a stellar season that he had taken the unusual step of lobbying the coaches he knows best to vote for Davis as a reserve. "I cant tell you how happy I was to be able to tell him the news after having to tell him the first time that he didnt make it. It was a cool moment. I cant express that enough, how happy I am for him," Williams said. "He thought I was joking. He said, Not a game, coach? And I was like, No, not a game. You made it. And he was speechless and laughing. You know, hes 20. I didnt expect a poem or anything. "I thought he deserved it the first time," Williams added. Minnesota coach Rick Adelman agreed. "He certainly deserves it. Hes the leading shot-blocker in the league," Adelman said. "I had a feeling hed be the one they would chose and rightfully so, getting a representative from New Orleans in the game. Hes certainly worth it." Western Conference coach Scott Brooks of Oklahoma City will decide who replaces Bryant in the starting lineup. Georges-Kevin NKoudou Hotspur Jersey . Viewers in the Jets region can watch the game on TSN Jets at 6:30pm ct/7:30pm et. The game is also avialable on TSN Radio 1290 in Winnipeg at 7pm ct. Fernando Llorente Hotspur Jersey . Juventus announced details of the deal Saturday, saying that Morata signed a five-year contract with the club. The deal also includes an option for Madrid to buy Morata back for up to (euro)30 million ($40. http://www.footballhotspurstore.com/Women-Victor-Wanyama-Tottenham-Hotspur-Jersey/ . Former San Francisco Giants slugger Barry Bonds made his longshot request of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. A three-judge panel of the 9th Circuit upheld Bonds conviction in September. Toby Alderweireld Hotspur Jersey . His big 2-minute outburst in the fourth quarter Tuesday night is all that really mattered for the Dallas Mavericks. Georges-Kevin NKoudou Jersey . Speaking on Leafs Lunch with Bryan Hayes and Jamie McLennan on Thursday, Bernier said it was "very hard" at times being entrenched behind Jonathan Quick and is now excited at the prospect of getting an opportunity to compete with Reimer for the top spot with the Leafs.Every night of the Stanley Cup playoffs, TSN hockey analyst and former NHL goaltender Jamie McLennan breaks down each goalies performance. Jamies number grades given are out of five, with five being the best mark. Tuukka Rask, Boston (4) - Outstanding in first period, gave Boston chance to settle in, big saves on Datsyuk and Tatar in second period to keep it close at 2-1. Robbed Abdelkader in OT, cant stress enough how poised he is in the net, makes it look easy, and rarely out of position. Jonas Gustavsson, Detroit (4) - Surprise start, responded well, especially not busy early but showed great poise, no chance on first goal as it was tipped in front. Not overly challenged but got better and more confident as the game went on, Big saves on Soderberg and Eriksson in OT, no chance on the game winner as it was deflected twice. Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles (4) - Locked in early on, with big saves on Burns and Pavelski, explosive saves on Marleau and Vlasic in the third to preserve the lead. He better managed his crease, not as erratic and out of control as we have seen last few games. Antti Niemi, San Jose (2) - Big saves onn King and Richards early in game, second goal was stoppable based on a tough angle shot that he is unable to corral, had rebound issues all night long that cost him, not as sharp as he has been in past games.dddddddddddd Semyon Varlamov, Colorado (4) - Putting a show on again, the only reason the Avs were in the game after the first period. His crease work is so fast and explosive, very tough to beat him low as well as in tight. Parise, Koivu, McCormick, Spurgeon, Brodziak, Granlund, Moulson (three times) and Pominville for starters had great chances, not much chance on both goals on a one-timer from slot and bad bounce off the back board. He is the only reason this series has been close. Darcy Kuemper, Minnesota (4) - Tough mentally to watch the goalie at the other end standing on his head and face all the shots. He was not busy whatsoever, the goal looked to hit his own man in front and go five-hole, but showed poise when needed to get the win and saved his best work for the last few minutes with big saves on Benoit and OReilly. Had a few puck handling issues that almost cost him, but kept it on the rails, solid again. ' ' '