If circumstances arise that are anything like the last time Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Garnett got together, the NBA All-Star Game may see teammates being separated at the opening tip.
Or not.
Anthony and Garnett officially were named yesterday as Eastern starters for the Feb. 17 All-Star Game in Houston, and Garnett, before the starting teams were announced, said all is well on the Anthony front and he doesn’t anticipate a renewal of hostilities.
“From my understanding, me and Melo are fine. I don’t anticipate any friction,” Garnett told reporters yesterday at the Celtics’ practice facility in Waltham, Mass. “You know, I’m a man. He’s a man. I don’t think that situation will boil over into this and spoil the All-Star weekend. I think we’re much more professional than that.
“But you never know. I’m just speaking from my perspective, but I don’t anticipate that. We’re both going there to enjoy the game. That’s pretty much what it is,” Garnett said.
Anthony twice tried to confront Garnett following the Celtics-Knicks game at the Garden Jan. 7. Both players were assessed technical fouls for on-court antics, and there have been reports Anthony was infuriated by comments Garnett was alleged to have said about his wife, La La.
Anthony and Garnett will face each other again Thursday in Boston, with two more meetings scheduled in March ( 26 in Boston, 31 at the Garden) following the All-Star break.
Anthony and Garnett were voted in by fans as players in the front court where they are joined by Miami’s LeBron James, the top vote getter in the East. Eastern starting guards are James’ Miami teammate Dwyane Wade and Garnett’s Celtic running mate, Rajon Rondo.
The West starters are guards Kobe Bryant of the Lakers, the leading vote-getter overall, and Chris Paul of the Clippers. In the frontcourt, fans selected the Thunders’ Kevin Durant, Lakers’ Dwight Howard and Clippers’ Blake Griffin.
Garnett and Bryant were selected for the 15th time each. The reserve stars, as voted by the coaches, will be revealed Thursday.