Fun and a Game for Clippers

And now for a brand-new All-Star phenomenon, a multi-Clipper sighting on All-Star weekend!

Two of them, Quentin Richardson and Darius Miles in Saturday’s rookie game. One, Richardson, in the three-point contest. One, Elton Brand, in today’s real game.

For the Clippers, the weekend got off to a big start when Richardson scored 22 points with nine rebounds and Miles came off the bench to score 20, making nine of 11 shots, for the second-year players, who lost to the rookies, 103-97.

“I think we are very proud,” Richardson said. “In the past, there haven’t been a lot of guys from the Clippers in any of these events, besides the rookie game, because we make the lottery a lot....

“We thought Elton [Brand] was going to be here from the beginning, but we are glad he got put in to replace [Shaquille O’Neal]....

“I think for me, I don’t think it will really sink in until we’re through playing. This is our second year in a row being on the same team and being able to be here All-Star weekend, and we’re just happy to be here right now. We’ve seen the older players and we’re happy to get to hang with them and stuff like that. Even though we’re here playing, we’re still fans of everything else.”

Golden State’s Jason Richardson, who scored 26 points for the winning rookie team, was the game’s MVP. Sacramento’s Peja Stojakovic won the three-point contest in a 24-second shootout with Cleveland’s Wes Person, 9-6. Golden State’s Richardson won the dunk contest.

Commissioner David Stern insisted the league does not want to leave Charlotte, but because the franchise has not been able to secure a new arena, owners George Shinn and Ray Woolridge will be allowed to move to New Orleans.

Complicating the situation is the fact that there is no communication anymore between Charlotte officials and the Hornet owners.

“I think it’s fair to say that in any situation, where [a team] is moving and there’s been a problem, then I think ownership has to have a responsibility along with the league and some part of the city,” Stern said. “I think that we moved from Vancouver and I’m not going to point the finger only at Vancouver.”

If the Hornets move, it will be the second franchise shift in two seasons, after the NBA went 16 years without one, a feat Stern used to brag about.