HoopsHype.com Rumors

The NBA announced the official lineup of the 2013 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, which will take place at the Sprint Arena on Friday, Feb. 15, during NBA All-Star Jam Session at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. NBA All-Stars James Harden of the host Houston Rockets and Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder will serve as the West and East team coaches, respectively. For the ninth straight year, ESPN will televise the game beginning at 7 p.m. ET. Fans can also view the game through NBA GameTime from Sprint application, available on Android and iOS, as well as via WatchESPN on computers, tablets, and phones. NBA.com

Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Clyde Drexler, Dikembe Mutombo, Bruce Bowen, Sean Elliott, All Star Game 

While Howard had no interest in going to Houston last season, sources say he is aware the Rockets have become a more attractive destination since acquiring Harden. ESPN.com

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Free Agency, Dwight Howard, James Harden 

James Harden: Thanks to my family, friends, coaches, teammates and everyone for the support. It's a honor and blessing to be named an All-Star! Twitter @JHarden13

Houston Rockets, James Harden, All Star Game 

Hearing @JHarden13 and @aldridge_12 have indeed made West All-Star team. Official annoucements in minutes Twitter @ESPNSteinLine

Houston Rockets, Portland Trail Blazers, James Harden, LaMarcus Aldridge, All Star Game 

Kevin Durant: Congrats to @Russell Westbrook and @James Harden for being NBA All stars!! Yesssiiirr Twitter @KDTrey5

Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, All Star Game 

There would be seven new All-Stars next month in Houston if the 16 NBA players polled by HoopsHype had their say. Cavs guard Kyrie Irving, Knicks center Tyson Chandler, Warriors guard Stephen Curry, Pacers forward Paul George and Rockets guard James Harden received tremendous support in the voting while Sixers guard Jrue Holiday and Bulls center Joakim Noah squeaked in for the last spots. All-Star veterans like Tim Duncan, Chris Bosh or Paul Pierce also made the list while the usual snubees - Atlanta's Josh Smith, Milwaukee's Monta Ellis, Memphis' Rudy Gay - were left out. HoopsHype

Paul Pierce, Rudy Gay, Chris Bosh, Monta Ellis, Paul George, Tyson Chandler, Josh Smith, James Harden, Joakim Noah, Stephen Curry, Tim Duncan, Kyrie Irving, Jrue Holiday, All Star Game 

Chris Vernon: Grizzlies source on ZBo to Houston trade rumor: "Hilarious. For who, James Harden?" Twitter @ChrisVernonShow

Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Trade, James Harden 

James Harden: New commercial with Foot Locker. Guarantee this will be epic. #approved Twitter @JHarden13

Houston Rockets, James Harden, Showbusiness 

Jonathan Feigen: Kobe on Harden: "I love him. He's been 1 of my favorite players since he came out of Ariz St. He has really developed and expanded his gm.” Twitter @Jonathan_Feigen

Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Lakers, Kobe Bryant, James Harden 

The New York Knicks' Carmelo Anthony and the Houston Rockets' James Harden today were named Eastern and Western Conference Players of the Week, respectively, for games played Monday, Dec. 31 through Sunday, Jan. 6. Anthony, who topped the league in scoring at 36.0 ppg, led New York to a 2-1 week, including a home victory over the San Antonio Spurs. He bookended the week with a pair of 40-point performances against the Portland Trail Blazers on Jan. 1 and the Orlando Magic on Dec. 5. His 45 points against the Blazers tied this season's single-game high (accomplished three times, twice by Anthony and once by Harden). USA Today

Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, Carmelo Anthony, James Harden 

Darren Wolfson: Twolves called OKC a few times trying to get Harden. Couldn't. Twitter @DarrenWolfson

Houston Rockets, Minnesota Timberwolves, Oklahoma City Thunder, Trade, James Harden 

Jason Friedman: Lin on chemistry w/ Harden tonight: "we complemented each other really well. Important for both of us to be aggressive & pick our spots." Twitter @JasonCFriedman

Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, James Harden, Jeremy Lin 

One of Lin's teammates, James Harden, who recently faced his former team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, on the road, cautioned not to make too much out of his return. "I don't think Jeremy's really caught up in going back and trying to make an individual performance," Harden said. "It's good to see old teammates and coaches and fans, but to be honest, you guys, the media, really hypes it up to be bigger than what it is." USA Today

Houston Rockets, James Harden, Jeremy Lin 

By and large, the Knicks have moved on from Linsanity. They are off to their best start at home since 1991-92, and their focus is on this season. Said one player: "We don't really talk about him. Whenever someone talks about the Rockets, we usually talk about Harden." ESPN.com

Houston Rockets, New York Knicks, James Harden, Jeremy Lin 

Ted Leonsis: I would like to debunk though a statement and notion that originated in The Washington Post that a potential trade would have put our team in the luxury tax and thus we “turned down” a deal because we were “unwilling to commit” financially. That is simply not true. First, we would not have gone into the luxury tax – that is simple math. Second, economics were not a factor. Ted Leonsis

Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Trade, James Harden, Ted Leonsis 

Ted Leonsis: I am not shy about making financial investments in our teams. Simply look at the history of the Capitals and see the progression of our payroll. Additionally, the Wizards used the amnesty provision this past offseason as a financial tool to reconfigure our team. It is public knowledge that we have taken on some of the most significant contracts in the NBA and NHL. We have a track record, and these are concrete examples. Our fans know we will invest in our teams. Ted Leonsis

Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Trade, James Harden, Ted Leonsis 

Ted Leonsis: I hope this sets the record straight, and if the anonymous sources would like to debate the facts and what I know to be the truth, then I welcome them to come forward. Thank you. Ted Leonsis

Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Trade, James Harden, Ted Leonsis 

Backcourt: 1. Kobe Bryant (LAL) 639,419. 2. Chris Paul (LAC) 353,603. 3. Jeremy Lin (Hou) 298,319. 4. James Harden (Hou) 196,108. 5. Russell Westbrook (OKC) 143,437. NBCSports.com

Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, James Harden, Russell Westbrook, Jeremy Lin 

Jonathan Feigen: WashPost reported Wiz had chance to trade for Harden. Wittman postgame: "Anytime you add a player like that, he's going to make you better." Twitter @Jonathan_Feigen

Washington Wizards, Trade, James Harden, Randy Wittman 

As he walked toward the locker room, Harden was asked if he was aware that later that evening he was going to face a team that had passed on a chance to acquire him last summer. “I don’t know anything about that,” Harden said. Washington Post

Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, James Harden