NBA news roundup: Kobe Bryant plans to sit out All-Star Game, LeBron James non-committal for 2016 Olympics

Kobe says he’s not deserving of an All-Star bid, while LeBron isn’t ready to commit to the 2016 Olympics. In injury news, Andrea Bargnani could miss three-to-six weeks with an elbow injury and DeMarcus Cousins is day-to-day with a sprained ankle.

by Jason Patt

Jan 24, 2014, 2:10 PM UTC

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Injured Los Angeles Lakers star Kobe Bryant was selected to his 16th straight All-Star Game, but he doesn't feel he's deserving of his bid and plans to sit out, according to Dave McMenamin of ESPN Los Angeles.

Bryant has played in just six games this year because of injury, and while he was appreciative of the support he got from his fans, he feels some of the younger players who have played all season should be rewarded:

“With all due respect to the fans that voted me in, I certainly appreciate that, they know how much I appreciate that, but you got to do the right thing as well. My fans know you got to reward these young guys for the work that they’ve been putting in.”

Although Bryant doesn’t plan on playing in the All-Star Game, he does plan on returning to the Lakers’ lineup from his knee injury before the All-Star festivities. Bryant is set to be re-evaluated next week, and the hope is he’ll be ready to go sometime in early February.

LeBron unsure about 2016 Olympics

LeBron James was one of 28 players named to the pool USA Basketball will choose from to determine who will represent the country during competition over the next three summers, but James was non-committal about participating in the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, according to Charlie McCarthy of Fox Sports Florida:

“I don’t know where I stand for 2016,” James said before Thursday night’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers. “Obviously, if I’m healthy in 2016 that summer, if I can get to leading our country by playing, then that would be great to be a part of that.
“But I can’t commit to it right now.”

James has won two consecutive Olympic gold medals, and one has to imagine he’d like to gun for a third if he’s healthy. But that has yet to be determined.

One event James will definitely not be participating in is the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup, which will take place this summer in Spain. It has been decided that James, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul will all skip the tournament.

Bargs out 3-6 weeks?

New York Knicks forward Andrea Bargnani was diagnosed with a torn ligament in his left elbow on Thursday, but the hope is Bargnani can return in three-to-six weeks, according to Marc Berman of the New York Post.

Bargnani was ruled out indefinitely, but elbow surgeon Dr. Matt Saltzman of Northwestern University told Berman the standard recovery time for this type of injury in basketball players is three-to-six weeks depending on the severity of the tear. In some sports, like baseball, surgery is required and a year of rehab time is needed, but that’s unlikely in this case.

Bargnani has had flashes of strong play for the Knicks this season, but his three-point shooting has been a major disappointment and his defense remains poor. On the year, Bargnani is shooting just 27.8 percent from long range.

Cousins day-to-day with ankle injury

Sacramento Kings big man DeMarcus Cousins has a sprained left ankle and is listed as day-to-day, the team announced.

Cousins, along with Rudy Gay, were injured in the first half of a loss to the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night. Cousins was injured on a hard foul by Patrick Beverley, who drew a technical on the play.

Earlier in the day, Cousins was named to the 28-player USA Basketball pool for the next three summers. The big man is enjoying a career season, with averages of 22.6 points, 11.6 rebounds and 3.0 assists.

Kings finalize deal to buy Downtown Plaza

The Kings have finalized a deal to purchase Downtown Plaza, the site of a proposed $448 million arena, according to Ryan Lillis and Dale Kasler of The Sacramento Bee.

Talks went on for several months, and although an exact purchase price wasn’t revealed, a deed of trust filed with the Sacramento County recorder’s office shows the Kings borrowed $35 million last week in connection with the transaction.

JMA, a San Francisco-based development firm and previous owner of the property, will continue to manage Downtown Plaza and partner with the Kings on the design and development of the new project on the site. In addition to a new arena, there are plans for office towers, a hotel, housing and retail.