Thunder’s Kevin Durant: “I’m not an all-star.” Kevin Durant said Monday he shouldn’t be in this year’s All-Star game despite ranking sixth in the league in scoring with a 23.8-point average. “No, I don’t think so,” Durant said when asked if he feels he should be an all-star. “Because one of the requirements is that the team’s got to win. That’s a big part of being an all-star, leading your team to victories. Hopefully, before I’m done in this league I can be one of those, but right now I’m just trying to help this team turn it around and get better.” — Oklahoman
Trail Blazers Eyeing Knicks Curry. One team that may go after Eddy Curry, now that the Knick center appears ready to resume playing, is the Blazers. Portland president Kevin Pritchard, who’s been after David Lee for years, quietly scouted a Knick preseason game. “They’ll do anything for a big man,” a league source said. Obviously, Curry is trade bait because his contract runs past 2010. His removal could allow the Knicks to sign two players to maximum contracts that summer. — NY Post
Don Nelson’s job safe with Warriors (for now). Despite the dismal start and consecutives losses to the two worst teams in the NBA this week, Warriors President Robert Rowell reiterated Monday that coach Don Nelson’s job in not in jeopardy. “No, I’ve not given it an ounce of thought,” Rowell said before the game at Utah. “Nellie’s a great coach. I think he’s done his job as a coach. I think Nellie has done everything he’s done his last 30 years in the business. … — SF Chronicle
Lakers’ Walton out at least 2 weeks with foot injury. The news was mixed for Luke Walton on Monday. On one hand, he learned he won’t need surgery on his injured right foot after visiting with specialist Ken Jung. On the other, he will be sidelined for at least two weeks because of sesamoiditis, an injury to the ball of the foot more commonly found in long-distance runners and dancers. As an added bonus, he was fitted with a fashionable black boot that will protect his foot while allowing him to walk without the aid of crutches. He also began rehabilitation exercises in a pool Monday. — LA Daily News
