Stars align in Los Angeles

Kevin Garnett kept a steady crowd of reporters, even towards the end of his near-45-minute session. That meant a lot of repeat questions about his reputation as a "dirty" player, a word he dismissed despite far-ranging criticism recently from the likes of Phoenix coach Alvin Gentry and Knicks superfan Spike Lee.

"Listen, I don't play for the Phoenix Suns," said Garnett. "I could care less about what Spike or whoever else has something to say about me. My organization is happy with what I'm doing, so I could care less.

"I'm a competitor and play hard, but don't call me dirty. Just like, if you dislike me, dislike me. 'Hate' is a strong word, just like 'dirty' is a strong word. It is a different league. It's a more offensive league. I'm sure the league likes to promote offense and it's cool. Don't call me or make me out to be something I'm not."

Asked if his high-intensity style of play might be working against him, Garnett simply shrugged.

"I don't know what it is," said Garnett. " Just came out of the blue. Came out of the blue from nowhere, the situation, whatever it was. I'm not going to speak about it. Just, if you don't like my play, don't watch it. I'm out here trying to win, period.

"It's competitive. If you and I were doing something that caused me to be competitive, I would be competitive. But I don't know anybody in this room that wants to lose, and, if so, that's them. I go out there a certain way, always have, always will. I don't make any more about that or any excuses about that.

"I respect the game and I respect the players in it, damn not trying to hurt anybody. I don't want to be hurt."

(...)

Ray Allen on being an All-Star at age 35: "Well, obviously to be in this building in this room is always a lot of excitement. Being one of the top 24 players in the league, the first half of the season, is a great accomplishment, not only for me, but we are able to highlight and showcase our city, our fans that are here for us and my family. That's probably one of most important things: [My family is] riding on the journey with us, and they get the chance to be an All-Star themselves. They wear jerseys and they get to meet celebrities, so I think for the first time, really they get a chance to see what it's like. It's a great time."