Carmelo Anthony Replaces Kevin Love as 2017 NBA Eastern Conference All-Star

New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony will replace injured Cleveland Cavaliers forward Kevin Love on the Eastern Conference roster in Sunday's NBA All-Star Game, Marc Stein of ESPN reported Wednesday.Adam Schefter of ESPN confirmed the report.The Cavaliers announced Love underwent arthroscopic surgery on his knee and will miss about six weeks.This is not the first time this season Love and Anthony have made headlines together.Frank Isolaof theNew York Daily Newspreviously reported LeBron James was pushing Cleveland's front office to trade for Anthony and was resigned to moving Love in the hypothetical deal if needed, although James later called the rumor "trash," perNBAon TNT.Isolaalso noted Wednesday the Miami Heat's Hassan Whiteside was "a close second" behind Anthony for Love's vacant spot on the Eastern Conference roster.Sunday's contest in New Orleans will mark Anthony's 12th All-Star Game. His Knicks were just 23-33 heading into play Wednesday, but he has posted impressive individual stats.He has never averaged less than 20 points per game in his career and is well on his way to continuing that streak this season. However, Love has made more of an all-around impact with his rebounding and more efficient outside shooting for the defending champion Cavaliers and was deserving of the nod over Anthony before the injury:This is a respite in an otherwise rough season for Anthony in terms of off-the-court headlines.Kevin Dingof Bleacher Report wrote a critical story on the Knicks star, and team president Phil Jacksontweetedhis apparent agreement with the piece.Ian Begleyof ESPN.com said Jackson "hasdirectly or indirectlydelivered several critiques of Anthony this season."Adrian Wojnarowski and Chris Mannixof The Vertical previously reported Jackson was "determined" to trade Anthony and bolster a Knicks rebuilding effort, although the All-Star nod is a testament to his individual ability as a scorer.
Click here to read full news..