HoopsHype.com Rumors

Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert wants to bring the NBA All-Star game back to Cleveland. Gilbert, who opened his new downtown casino Monday, said he plans to approach the league about hosting a future All-Star weekend. He hopes Cleveland would be able to get one “in the next few years.” The city last hosted the mid-season event in 1997, when the league celebrated its 50th anniversary. Gilbert said Cleveland is again poised to hold such an event because of his casino as well as a downtown convention center under construction. Akron Beacon Journal

Cleveland Cavaliers, Dan Gilbert, All-Star 

Kobe Bryant was fined $40,000 for missing an interview session and community event during the All-Star Weekend because he was sick. Yet, he managed to quell whatever queasy stomach he had to attend an event later in the day. So what was so important that the Lakers star could pull himself out of bed for that afternoon? A Sprite-sponsored event. Bryant is teaming up with LeBron James, Andrea Bargnani, Al Horford, Omri Casspi and Serge Ibaka to discover 24 amateur ballers who will compete for either “Team Sudden” or “Team Intense” in the Sprite Uncontainable Game at NBA All-Star 2013 in Houston. Orange County Register

Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, All-Star 

Orlando Magic Chief Executive Officer Alex Martins said the franchise will bid to host the 2016 NBA All-Star Game at Amway Center if, as expected, city and county government officials support bringing the exhibition back to Central Florida for the second time in four years. Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, Alex Martins, All-Star 

Griffin hadn't yet heard of LeBron James' idea, how the Miami star said he'd reconsider participating if there was a $1 million reward involved. And while he already said he'd like to take part again, he admitted the extra incentive wouldn't hurt. "I'm not opposed to doing it again ... but [the $1 million] makes it a little bit more competitive," Griffin said. "Like I said, I think a lot of guys want to rest for All-Star weekend. That's two or three days you don't normally get. That's just one more thing to do. It's just one of those things." SI.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Miami Heat, LeBron James, Blake Griffin, All-Star 

Jerry Zgoda: NBA names Utah's Derrick Favors as injury replacement for Tiago Splitter in Friday's All-Star Rising Stars Challenge. Twitter

San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz, Tiago Splitter, Derrick Favors, All-Star 

Jody Genessy: According to Jeremy Evans on this video http://on.nba.com/wnoEOb, the Jazz forward will be in the NBA Slam Dunk Contest. (h/t @ReaganHackett) Twitter

Utah Jazz, Jeremy Evans, All-Star 

Jody Genessy: Still no word from Jazz or NBA on rumor that Jeremy Evans has been or will be added to dunk contest. Twitter

Utah Jazz, Jeremy Evans, All-Star 

For those asking how Dwyane Wade can host an All-Star party Thursday night in Orlando when the Heat host the Knicks on Thursday night, the promoter says the party runs through 4 a.m. Good to know the guys will be getting their rest during the break. Sulia

Miami Heat, Dwyane Wade, All-Star 

Orlando officials have been given the green light to build a security fence around the arena that will host this weekend's NBA All-Star game. A Florida judge on Tuesday denied a motion for a temporary injunction that would have stopped the erection of the fence. Some owners of nearby businesses filed the motion, claiming the fence would put them outside the All-Star festivities. Oregonian

All-Star 

Steve Luhm: John Wall surprised he was taken 12th in the Rising Stars Challenge draft and will use it as motivation. Not a huge deal, though. Twitter

Washington Wizards, John Wall, All-Star 

Star Tribune basketball writer Jerry Zgoda has tweeted that Ricky Rubio will not participate in the NBA All-Star Game skills competition next weekend. "Ricky says he won't participate in the All Star skills challenge. Didn't say why, just said he decided not to," Zgoda tweeted from this morning's practice. Minneapolis Star-Tribune

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, All-Star 

Jerry Zgoda: Ricky also said he's willing to help DWill in slam-dunk contest, but didn't think he'll be needed, think DWill has his own tricks ready Twitter

Minnesota Timberwolves, Ricky Rubio, All-Star, Derrick Williams 

The NBA has not announced who the contestants will be in the three-point contest, but Sixers guard Jodie Meeks has his hand raised, if they’re looking for people. “I’ve never really practiced (shooting) off the rack, so I’d have to practice that,” he said. “I’m used to watching them go in. It’s a little different.” Philadelphia Inquirer

Philadelphia 76ers, All-Star, Jodie Meeks 

Jeff Zillgitt: Stern said Lin will not receive a special invite to play in the Rising Stars game featuring rookies & second-year players All-Star weekend. Twitter

New York Knicks, Jeremy Lin, All-Star 

Jason Jackson: Brandan Jennings says he is playing "with a chip on my shoulder" since not being named an all star reserve last week ... and it shows Twitter

Milwaukee Bucks, Brandon Jennings, All-Star 

J.J. Redick said he has not received an invitation to participate in the 3-point shootout on the Saturday of All-Star weekend. Orlando Sentinel

Orlando Magic, JJ Redick, All-Star 

Nowitzki was asked after today's practice whether he thinks he can make a case for himself for being included in this month's All Star game in Orlando. "Not really," he said. "I mean, averaging whatever, 15, 16 points, I don't think you should be an All-Star. "But we'll just have to wait and see. I think there's a lot of great young talent in this league that deserves to go. I think LaMarcus Aldridge has been stiffed the last couple of years. He's a great young player, fun to watch. You know Blake (Griffin); and (Kevin) Love is playing great, so there's a lot of talent at my position. We'll just have to wait and see what happens." Dallas Morning News

Dallas Mavericks, Dirk Nowitzki, All-Star 

Josh Robbins: Dwight Howard still says he won't compete in the dunk contest. "I'm too old for that," he said. Twitter

Orlando Magic, Dwight Howard, All-Star 

Chris Palmer: League source tells me All-Star weekend in Orlando will happen as scheduled. Twitter

Lockout, All-Star 

Although Boston may be the most storied city in league history, it has not hosted an NBA All-Star Game since 1964. As soon as the lockout concludes, Houston is expected to be officially announced as the host city - for the second time in seven years - for the 2013 game. It is believed that ownership squabbles between the Celtics and the Bruins, as well as disagreements with the mayor over the past several years, have grounded any plans for the February classic to return to Boston. But Mayor Thomas Menino said the days of infighting within Boston’s sports and political infrastructure are over. “We haven’t had it since ’64 and I think we’re ready for it,’’ Menino said. “We have new ownership, new enthusiasm, the fan base out here for it, and I just think we have the facility and everything ready to go. “I hope that the NBA makes the decision in the near future to bring the All-Star Game to our city.’’ Boston Globe

Boston Celtics, All-Star