National Basketball Association

The Latest: LeBron amused by fuss over Lue coaching

Published Feb. 12, 2016 4:07 p.m. ET

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TORONTO (AP) The Latest on Friday's events at the NBA's All-Star Weekend in Toronto (all times local):

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3:55 p.m.

LeBron James is amused over all the fuss that accompanied Tyronn Lue getting the chance to coach the Eastern Conference in Sunday's All-Star Game.

The honor typically goes to the coaching staff of the team leading their respective conference at the break, provided that staff didn't also coach in the game the year before. So when the Cleveland Cavaliers fired David Blatt and promoted Lue from his assistant spot to being the coach in charge, that meant Lue also got the All-Star duty.

And while it might seem strange to some, James was quick to point out Friday at the All-Star media day that Lue ''would have been here anyways, even if coach Blatt was still our coach.''

James has been criticized for what many presume to be his role in Blatt's dismissal, and the four-time MVP says he isn't letting that perception bother him. He also didn't take the bait when asked to describe differences between Blatt and Lue.

James' answer: ''Their height.''

For the record, Blatt (6-foot-3) is listed to be about three inches taller than Lue.

- Tim Reynolds

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2:15 p.m.

Shaquille O'Neal and Allen Iverson are finalists for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame.

College coaches Tom Izzo, Eddie Sutton, Lefty Driesell, Bo Ryan and Muffet McGraw, and women's star Sheryl Swoopes were also among the finalists announced Friday.

They could be voted as Hall of Famers when the full class is announced in April.

So could Yao Ming, who is already a finalist and could be directly elected from the International Committee.

- Brian Mahoney

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1:58 p.m.

New York Knicks star Carmelo Anthony says he hopes the owners and the players union can come to a new labor agreement without a work stoppage.

Anthony was speaking on Friday as part of the kickoff to All-Star weekend festivities. Either side can choose to opt out of the current collective bargaining agreement until Dec. 15.

Last time the two sides could not come to an agreement, the owners locked out the players that shortened the 2011-12 season by 16 games.

''I hope we can come to an agreement sooner rather than later,'' said Anthony, who fully endorse NBPA executive director Michele Roberts. ''We don't want another lockout. We just have to sit down at the table. Now, it's talking about more important issues than we talked about in the past and being transparent with each other.''

- Jon Krawczynski

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1:25 p.m.

Kobe Bryant has gone through an All-Star media day for the final time.

The retiring star of the Los Angeles Lakers took questions for about 30 minutes, laughed and smiled throughout, accepted some gifts from international reporters - including a photo that said ''thank you'' - and spoke in English, Italian and a little Spanish at times. He even asked a reporter from Taiwan to teach him a phrase in his language.

Topics ranged from his love of storytelling (which he intends to make his next passion after basketball), what he would tell his 8-year-old self (enjoy the moment) and how long he wants to play in the All-Star Game on Sunday night.

Bryant says he would be fine playing just 10 minutes. Fans, however, are probably hoping for far more than that.

- Tim Reynolds

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11:45 a.m.

Chris Paul looked at a teammate, then glared at an opponent. Dwyane Wade made what he thought was a great play, then yelled in disbelief when it didn't work out to his liking.

The games have started at All-Star weekend - and no, not of the basketball variety.

Wade and the sock company Stance hosted a Spades tournament on Thursday night and the card game was attended by plenty of current and former players, including Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson.

It was the second annual tournament, and much like last year's debut in New York, the players took the game very - very - seriously.

Before he sat down to play with his teammate (and wife) Gabrielle Union, Wade says players don't turn off the competitive fires that fuel them on the court, explaining that ''competitive people like winning, no matter what we do.''

- Tim Reynolds

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10:20 a.m.

NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has opened All-Star weekend by paying homage to the league's history in Toronto.

Silver spoke Friday morning at the NBA All-Star Technology Summit, and began his remarks by reminding attendees that the league's enormous success globally stems in part from what happened in Toronto on Nov. 1, 1946 - when the first game in what was then called the Basketball Association of America was played.

Silver is calling this weekend ''a very special one for us in the NBA, a homecoming.''

It was in Toronto on that night nearly 70 years ago when the New York Knicks visited and beat the Toronto Huskies 68-66. The game was played at Maple Leaf Gardens - ''which, if you're curious, is now a grocery store,'' Silver says

- Tim Reynolds