TORONTO -- Chris Bosh is out of the All-Star Game and the three-point contest, although he is staying in Toronto for the remainder of the weekend.
Bosh said he has a strained right calf, which he didn't reveal during media sessions earlier Friday. The team made the announcement late Friday afternoon, and Bosh said he needs extra time "to try to heal and focus on the second half" of the season.
Al Horford will replace Bosh on the All-Star roster, and Portland's C.J. McCollum will take his spot in the three-point contest.
The Heat already will be without one of their big men when their schedule resumes. Hassan Whiteside won't play in Atlanta on Friday, suspended one game by the NBA for throwing an elbow during Miami's loss to San Antonio earlier this week. And with fellow Heat big man Chris Andersen still out with a bad knee, the prospects of not having Bosh for Miami's next real game likely weighed into the decision.
Curry: Ads coming
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver has said more than once that advertisements on jerseys is an inevitable development. Reigning MVP Stephen Curry said Friday at his All-Star news conference that "nothing is going to stop that train from coming."
"I don't want it to be too gimmicky where we're walking ads for just everything," Curry said. "I'm trying to keep the classic look of a basketball uniform that we all know and love.
"I've seen soccer uniforms where they mark all over the jerseys. Whether you like it or not, that's kind of been that way for a while. The transition will be a little weird for sure."
LeBron amused
LeBron James is amused over all the fuss that accompanied Tyronn Lue getting the chance to coach the Eastern Conference in Sunday's All-Star Game.
The honor typically goes to the coaching staff of the team leading its respective conference at the break, provided that staff didn't also coach in the game the year before. So when the Cleveland Cavaliers fired David Blatt and promoted Lue from his assistant spot to being the coach in charge, that meant Lue also got the All-Star duty.
And while it might seem strange to some, James was quick to point out Friday at the All-Star media day that Lue "would have been here anyways, even if coach Blatt was still our coach."
James has been criticized for what many presume to be his role in Blatt's dismissal, and the four-time MVP says he isn't letting that perception bother him. He also didn't take the bait when asked to describe differences between Blatt and Lue.
James' answer: "Their height."
For the record, Blatt (6-3) is listed to be about three inches taller than Lue.
Last time for Kobe
Kobe Bryant has gone through an All-Star media day for the final time.
The retiring star of the Los Angeles Lakers took questions for about 30 minutes, laughed and smiled throughout, accepted some gifts from international reporters -- including a photo that said "thank you" -- and spoke in English, Italian and a little Spanish at times. He even asked a reporter from Taiwan to teach him a phrase in his language.
Topics ranged from his love of storytelling (which he intends to make his next passion after basketball), what he would tell his 8-year-old self (enjoy the moment) and how long he wants to play in the All-Star Game on Sunday night.
Bryant said he would be fine playing just 10 minutes. Fans, however, are probably hoping for far more than that.
Sports on 02/13/2016