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NEW ORLEANS - When DeMar DeRozan made his All-Star debut on Sunday, checking in for the first time at the outset of the second quarter, he immediately looked like he belonged. It took 22 seconds for DeRozan to get on the board, taking a lob pass from Joakim Noah and converting the easy layup before knocking down his next two shots. For the Raptors fifth-year guard, this moment was one he had been dreaming about for a long time but to his credit, he never looked out of place. "Honestly, I wasnt nervous at all," he told TSN.ca after scoring eight points in 15 minutes of action for the victorious Eastern Conference squad. "I thought I was going to be nervous before the game but as soon as I went out there I wasnt nervous at all." "It didnt feel like there was any pressure, like you were playing in front of all these people. They just made it fun, honestly. I didnt have no jitters." After a lackluster slate of Saturday night events, the big show did not disappoint. Combined, 318 points were scored - an All-Star record - with the East defeating the West by a score of 163-155. The frenetic pace fit DeRozans game like a glove. "All we do is get out and run, wings get out and run, push it," he said. "Its an opportunity to get fast-break dunks, layups, sorts of things like that so it fits well for a player like me." The East overcame an 18-point deficit, closing out the night on a 10-0 run to win for the first time in four years. Their 163 points were the most scored in an All-Star Game. DeRozans All-Star experience has been surreal. From watching his young teammates Jonas Valanciunas and Terrence Ross compete in the Rising Stars Challenge and the Slam Dunk Contest - both events that he has participated in himself - to sharing the bench with former a teammate and nine-time All-Star Chris Bosh on Sunday, hes had to pinch himself on more than one occasion. It didnt hit him until Sunday evening, as he arrived at Smoothie King Center, walked in the locker room and saw a row of All-Star jerseys instead of his usual Raptors duds. "Theres only a select few that get to put on the All-Star jersey," he realizes. That experience of being among them and gaining the respect that accompanies the All-Star tag - which hell wear next to his name for the duration of his career and beyond - was far more valuable than the 15 minutes he logged in the game. "It was a great experience, man," he said. "Just going out there and having fun with the leagues best, to be in that same category is great." It may have been his first appearance in the leagues midseason classic, but the Raptors leading scorer is determined not to make it his last. "[I have to] work harder than I did this previous summer to be a better player," said DeRozan, who is averaging a career-best 22.4 points this season. "I cant slow down. Now Im a target. Players are going to go at me and understand that Ive got the All-Star next to my name. Just continue working, dont be complacent with anything and keep pushing." Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving - a controversial selection when he was voted in as a starter by the fans last month - took home game MVP honours after scoring 31 points to go along with 14 assists. He was a perfect 11-for-11 from inside the three-point arch, many of those field goals were layups. "How Kyrie makes his layups is amazing," DeRozan said of his Eastern Conference teammate. "You cant deny [him] when he gets to the basket; you cant play him a certain way because he can finish with either hand, off either leg and hes so creative with it. It was cool to see him go out and play." Sunday was a night of broken records for both sides. Carmelo Anthony, who had 30 points for the East, connected on eight three pointers, most in an All-Star Game. Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin had 38 points apiece for the West, coming just shy of Wilt Chamberlains mark of 42. 10 of Griffins All-Star Game record 19 field goals were dunks. Jamon Brown Game Jersey . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. Eric Dickerson Navy Blue Jersey . Now, correct me if Im wrong but I saw one official distinctly pointing at the net indicating a good goal but after an inconclusive review they overturned the goal. Shouldnt the ruling on the ice (good goal) stand after an inconclusive review? Why was this overturned? James Veaudry Pembroke, ON -- Hey Kerry, Youll get a lot of these, but why was the Montreal goal against Nashville Saturday night overturned? Eller puts the puck on net and the on ice ruling from the ref behind the net is a Montreal goal. http://www.theramsshoponline.com/Youth-Eric-Dicker...ms-Jers ey/ . -- Aldon Smith believes he is on the path to being sober for good. Custom Los Angeles Rams Jersey . -- Nate Robinson has played for seven teams, so beating one of them is no longer a rare occurrence. Eric Dickerson Limited Jersey . To the surprise of many, it isnt the Wolverines but their in-state rivals the Michigan State Spartans.TORONTO – Sixteen of the 20 players who dressed for the Leafs on the night of November 14, 2009 are now gone. That night, with the Calgary Flames in town, a little-known defender and seventh-round selection from Sweden made his NHL debut. Nearly four years later and only Carl Gunnarsson and the trio of Phil Kessel, Nik Kulemin and Colton Orr still remain in Toronto. "Weve been through a lot," Gunnarsson said of the remaining handful during a conversation with TSN.ca earlier this week. "Ups, mostly downs, but last year was a big change. It feels good." With a sense of ownership rivaling few in the room in terms of longevity, Gunnarsson believes the time is right for him to emerge as a leader. On the verge of his fifth season in Toronto, he wants the responsibility that comes with steering the ship. "And thats something I expect from myself," he said, "taking that next step and hopefully have just as good a season as last year." Leadership is imparted in many different forms. Gunnarsson just hopes to find his suited brand and help guide the Leafs up another rung on the ladder, following a long-awaited playoff appearance last year. "Some guys talk a lot, some guys dont," Gunnarsson said of leadership. "But if you can say something in the room thats good or if you can just help the new guys out with whatever it might be ... Ive been here for awhile, had Randy for a season and a half. Im one of those guys that kind of knows what its all about. And obviously I need to be reminded too, but if I can help some other guys get into it quicker thats part of it." Valued as a quiet and stable cog on defence, one upon whom the coaching staff can rely on for extended minutes in varied situations, the Leafs wisely chose to keep Gunnarsson in the fold, signing him to a three-year contract worth $9.45 million this past summer. "They put a lot of trust in me," he beamed proudly of the deal. "They, as I do too, have some high expectations. It feels good that they really want me on the team. Thats how I looked at it. Especially this year when a lot of guys dont havee contracts, cap is lower.dddddddddddd That was huge for me." While he struggled some in his sophomore season, the Leafs havent had to worry much about the reliable 6-foot-2 defender, who tends to go about his business quietly. Now with 224 games of NHL experience, Gunnarsson believes hes better prepared to hurdle past adversity at this stage in his career, wiser than when he first made the jump from Sweden. "Experience, thats knowledge too," he grinned. Suiting up for 37 games last season, Gunnarsson was bothered by a troublesome issue in his hip from the outset of training camp. The injury persisted all year – he missed 11 games – but with an off-season of rest and treatment there was an expectation that he would feel better in the fall. Early reports suggest that being the case, this after a series of two-a-day on-ice workouts just this past week. "Right now where I am from last year its a huge difference I think," Gunnarsson said. "Not saying that Im not going to have to get treatment or stay on top of it everyday because thats what its going to be. I think thats how it is for every injury. If you have a knee surgery or you strained your ACL or whatever it might be, youve got to stay on top of that. Some guys play with braces or whatever it might be. I feel way better from last year so thats a good feeling coming into this season. Hopefully its going to stay on this level and whenever we get a couple days off just treat it the way it needs to be treated." One of the few known commodities and a source of understated stability, the Swedish defenders ongoing health is quietly crucial to the makeup of the Toronto defence. While maybe not perfectly cast for the role Gunnarsson has nonetheless proven he can absorb difficult minutes on a first pairing with Dion Phaneuf. Chuckling as he describes himself as "old and wise" after a stuffed four years in the league, Gunnarsson knows he represents a rare symbol of longevity in Toronto and hes now ready to do his part and lead. -- [i] Tyler Bozak made his NHL debut on October 13 before returning to the Marlies until January. Cheap China Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap Jerseys From China China NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys China ' ' '
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