Doc Rivers feigned disgust when informed by a reporter that Kobe Bryant not only had moved into the frontcourt slot for All-Star voting but also led Clippers forward Blake Griffin, who is having a much better season.
“What?” Rivers said loudly Friday, prompting laughter from reporters.
Rivers is actually one of Bryant’s biggest backers when it comes to playing in the All-Star game in his final NBA season. It appears that will happen after Bryant led all players in the first voting figures released Friday, his 719,235 votes topping even defending league most valuable player Stephen Curry (510,202).
Griffin was third among Western Conference frontcourt players with 182,107 votes, also trailing Oklahoma City’s Kevin Durant (349,473). Clippers point guard Chris Paul was third among West guards with 146,335 votes, trailing Curry and Oklahoma City’s Russell Westbrook (267,699).
The top three frontcourt players and top two guards in voting from each conference will be the starters in the midseason showcase Feb. 14 at Toronto.
Rivers said he was fine with Bryant’s selection even if it meant the exclusion of a more deserving player such as Clippers center DeAndre Jordan, who ranked 12th among West frontcourt players with 49,696 votes.
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Recording artists Beyonce, left, and Jay-Z watch the Clippers play the Brooklyn Nets at Staples Center on Jan. 22, 2015. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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John Legend and Chrissy Teigen sit courtside for the final Kobe Bryant-LeBron James matchup on March 10, 2016, at Staples Center.
(Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Cam Newton takes in the Cavaliers-Lakers game on March 10, 2016, when Kobe Bryant and LeBron James played against each other for the final time.
(Harry How / Getty Images)
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Beyonce and Jay Z take in the Clippers’ 103-98 comeback victory over the Oklahoma City Thunder on March 2, 2016.
(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Clippers guard Chris Paul, left, is congratulated by Billy Crystal after a 97-83 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Jan. 9.
(Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Jay Z watches the Clippers pick up their 10th consecutive winy with a 104-90 victory over the Miami Heat on Jan. 13.
(Rick Loomis / Los Angeles Times)
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Freida Pinto and polo player Ronnie Bacardi watch the Lakers play the Milwaukee Bucks on Dec. 15, 2015.
(Danny Moloshok / AP)
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Olivia Wilde talks to Will Forte during a Clippers game against the Orlando Magic on Dec. 5, 2015.
(Mike Nelson / EPA)
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Drake attends the game between the Lakers and his hometown Toronto Raptors on Nov. 20, 2015.
(John Salangsang / Invision)
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Will Ferrell has food delivered to his courtside seat during a game between the Lakers and Detroit Pistons on Nov. 15.
(Robyn Beck / AFP / Getty Images)
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Kendall Jenner watches the Lakers take on the Dallas Mavericks during a game Nov. 1, 2015.
(Mike Nelson / EPA)
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Arsenio Hall and George Lopez check out a season-opening game between the Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves on Oct. 28, 2015.
(Harry How / Getty Images)
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Television personalities Khloe Kardashian, left, and Kendall Jenner, center, attend a playoff game between the Clippers and Houston Rockets at Staples Center on May 8, 2015.
(Paul Buck / EPA)
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Brazilian model Wanessa Milhomem, left, and Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers sit courtside during a game between the Lakers and Atlanta Hawks on March 15, 2015. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Recording artist Snoop Dogg attends a playoff game between the Clippers and Houston Rockets at Staples Center on May 8, 2015.
(Paul Buck / EPA)
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Actors Billy Crystal, left, and Timothy Olyphant attend a playoff game between the Clippers and Houston Rockets at Staples Center on May 8, 2015.
(Paul Buck / EPA)
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Actor Eddie Murphy and girlfriend Paige Butcher attend the game between the Dallas Mavericks and the Lakers at Staples Center on April 12, 2015.
(Stephen Dunn / Getty Images)
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Actress Mindy Kaling attends a game between the Lakers and Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on April 12, 2015.
(Stephen Dunn / Getty Images)
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Actor Denzel Washington laughs as he sits courtside during a game between the Lakers and New York Knicks at Staples Center on March 12, 2015. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Actor Paul Wesley, left, and actress Phoebe Tonkin, right, sit courtside during a game between the Lakers and Atlanta Hawks at Staples Center on March 15, 2015. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Actor Hayden Christensen attends a game between the Lakers and Detroit Pistons at Staples Center on March 10, 2015. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Actress Dyan Cannon, center, sits courtside during a game between the Lakers and Detroit Pistons at Staples Center on March 10, 2015. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Actor Casey Affleck attends a game between the Lakers and Boston Celtics at Staples Center on Feb. 22, 2015. (Chris Carlson / Associated Press)
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Actor Mark Wahlberg listens to Lakers trainer Gary Vitti during a game between the Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks at Staples Center on Feb. 27, 2015. (Stephen Dunn / Getty Images)
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Broadcasting entrepreneur Norman Pattiz, left, talks with recording artist Tom Petty during a game between the Lakers and Houston Rockets at Staples Center on Jan. 25, 2015. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Actor Andy Garcia walks from his seat during a game between the Lakers and Detroit Pistons at Staples Center on March 10, 2015. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Actor Liev Schreiber sits with his son, Sasha, during a game between the Lakers and Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on March 8, 2015. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Television personality Bill Maher watches the Lakers play the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on March 8, 2015. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Cameron Diaz, center, and her husband Benji Maddien watch the Washington Wizards and Los Angeles Lakers game. (MICHAEL NELSON / EPA)
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Denzel Washington chats with former Lakers star Norm Nixon during the Lakers-Rockets game. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Recording artists Jay-Z, left, and Beyonce sit courtside during a game between the Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers at Staples Center on Jan. 16, 2015. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Actress Jennifer Garner attends a game between the Clippers and Boston Celtics at Staples Center on Jan. 19, 2015. (Alex Gallardo / Associated Press)
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Boxing champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. watches the Clippers play the Cleveland Cavaliers on Jan. 16. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Model Kendall Jenner, center, sits with her half-sister Khloe Kardashian, left, during the Clippers’ 114-89 victory over the Lakers at Staples Center on Jan. 7. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Kevin Hart and fiancee Eniko Parrish sit courtside for the Clippers-Warriors game on Christmas. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Australian recording artist Iggy Azalea sits courtside at a game between the Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans at Staples Center on Dec. 7, 2014. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Skrillex spent his Christmas evening checking out the Clippers-Warriors game at Staples Center. (Victor Decolongon / Getty Images)
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Former NBA All-Star Baron Davis enjoys the Warriors-Clippers game on Christmas evening. (Victor Decolongon / Getty Images)
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New parents Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher take a break from parenthood to enjoy the Lakers-Thunder game. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Athony Kiedis and his son, Everly Bear Kiedis, attend the Lakers game against the New Orleans Pelicans. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Sylvester Stallone spends a moment chatting courtside at the Lakers-Pelicans game. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Drake, a well-known Toronto fans, takes in the Lakers’ games against the Raptors. That’d be the Lakers’ 127-122 victory in overtime. (Jae C. Hong / Associated Press)
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Recording artist Rhianna smiles while attending a playoff game between the Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Chris Brown and Rihanna sit side by side at the Lakers-Knicks game on Christmas Day. (Robyn Beck / AFP / Getty Images)
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Australian recording artist Iggy Azalea sits courtside during a game between the Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center on Nov. 28, 2014. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Recording artist and actor LL Cool J attends a game between the Clippers and Utah Jazz on Nov. 3, 2014. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Jack Black plays it cool as he watches the Lakers get their first victory of the 2014-15 season against the Charlotte Hornets. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Kim Kardashian, left, and her husband, recording artist Kanye West, watch the Lakers play the Houston Rockets at Staples Center on Oct. 28, 2014. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Recording artist Adam Levine, left, and his wife, Behati Prinsloo, watch the Lakers play the Houston Rockets at Staples Center on Oct. 28, 2014. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Actress Emmy Rossum attends a Lakers-Portland Trail Blazers game in 2014. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Fergie sings the national anthem before the Clippers opened the 2014-15 season against the Oklahoma City Thunder. (Paul Buck / EPA)
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Actor David Hasselhoff cheers on the Clippers during a playoff game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Actress Chloe Grace Moretz cheers on the Clippers during a playoff game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Actor Owen Wilson attends a game between the Clippers and Phoenix Suns at Staples Center on Nov. 15, 2014. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Television and film producer James L. Brooks, left, and Jack Nicholson watch a playoff game between the Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Lakers star Kobe Bryant, left, hugs actor Jet Li before a game against the Houston Rockets on Oct. 28, 2014. (Robyn Beck / AFP/Getty Images)
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Clippers owner Steve Ballmer poses for photos with recording artist Fergie during the Clippers’ 2014 season opener at Staples Center. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Recording artist Beyonce sits courtside during a game between the Clippers and Cleveland Cavaliers at Staples Center on Jan. 16, 2015. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Recording artist Justin Bieber, left, greets boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. during a Clippers playoff game against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center. (Michael Nelson / EPA)
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Actor Mark Wahlberg sits with his wife, model Rhea Durham during a playoff game between the Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder at Staples Center. (Michael Nelson / EPA)
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Actor Billy Crystal celebrates as he watches the Clippers play the Oklahoma City Thunder in a playoff game at Staples Center. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt watches a Lakers-Phoenix Suns game in 2014. (Gus Ruelas / Associated Press)
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Actor Dylan McDermott and his daughter, Colette Rose McDermott, watch the Lakers play the Phoenix Suns in 2014. (Gus Ruelas / Associated Press)
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Recording artist Rihanna watches the Clippers play the Oklahoma City Thunder in a playoff game at Staples Center. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Recording artist Justin Bieber takes a photo while sitting courtside during a Clippers playoff game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Actors Kristen Dunst, left, and Garrett Hedlund watch the Lakers play the New Orleans Pelicans in 2014. (Gus Ruelas / Associated Press)
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Actors David Hornsby and Emily Deschanel watch the Lakers play the Oklahoma City Thunder in 2014. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Actor Zach Galifianakis watches the Lakers play the Minnesota Timberwolves in 2013. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Actor Christopher Meloni and his daughter, Sophia, left, attend a Lakers-New Orleans Pelicans game in 2014. (Michael Nelson / EPA)
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Actors Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis attend a Lakers-New Orleans Pelicans game in 2014. (Michael Nelson / EPA)
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Actor Will Farrell reacts while watching himself on the big screen during a game between the Lakers and Sacramento Kings in 2014. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Australian recording artist Iggy Azalea walks to her seat before a game between the Lakers and Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center on Nov. 28, 2014. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Actor Simon Baker takes in a Lakers-Orlando Magic game in 2009. (Noah Graham / Getty Images)
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Actor Zac Efron, center, attends a Lakers-Dallas Mavericks game in 2014. (Gus Ruelas / Associated Press)
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Reality star Nicole Richie, left, and musician Joel Madden attend a Lakers-Portland Trail Blazers game in 2014. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Rihanna chats with the son of agent Ari Emanuel during a game between the Lakers and Golden State Warriors. (Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press)
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Former Laker Rick Fox watches the Clippers play the Brooklyn Nets. (Michael Nelson / EPA)
78/100
Jack Nicholson, left, and Adam Sandler sit courtside as the Lakers host the Thunder. (Paul Buck / EPA)
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Kim Kardashian and Kanye West, who are expecting their first child, take in a Lakers-Nuggets playoff game last spring. (Noel Vasquez / Getty Images)
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Vanessa Bryant and George Lopez react to a play during the Lakers-Knicks game on Christmas Day. (Alex Gallardo / Associated Press)
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Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis swing into action as they’re featured on the Staples Center Kiss Cam during a game between the Lakers and Utah Jazz. (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)
82/100
Lakers point guard Steve Nash greets George Lopez before the Christmas Day game against the Knicks. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
83/100
Actor Denzel Washington, left, and soccer star David Beckham sit next to one another at a game in 2010. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
84/100
Christina Aguilera catches a Lakers-Thunder game with a friend. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Eddie Murphy and Australian model Paige Butcher arrive for a Lakers-Suns game. (Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images)
86/100
Galaxy stars David Beckham and Landon Donovan flank Beckham’s son Brooklyn before a Lakers-Heat playoff game. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Actor Dustin Hoffman, center, his wife Lisa Gottsegen, left, and producer Jeffrey Katzenberg attend a Lakers-Orlando Magic game in 2010. (Danny Moloshok / Associated Press)
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Model Cindy Crawford, left, baseball player Alex Rodriguez and former pro wrestler Torrie Wilson attend the Houston Rockets at Los Angeles LakersNBA basketball game. (Paul Buck / EPA)
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Actor Will Farrell attends a Lakers-Cleveland Cavaliers game in 2011. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)
90/100
Actors Kevin Connolly, left, and Toby Maguire, center, attend a Lakes-Utah Jazz game in 2008. (Andrew Gombert / EPA)
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Model Heidi Klum sits with her three children during Lakers-New Orleans Hornets game in 2011. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)
92/100
Actor Joseph Gordon-Leavitt, center, watches a Lakers-Minnesota Timberwolves game in 2010. (Luis Sinco / Los Angeles Times)
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Television producer Larry David, left and film director Spike Lee sit courtside before a Lakers-Denver Nuggets game in 2009. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)
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Actor Jaden Smith, left, and pop star Justin Bieber attend a Lakers-Houston Rockets game in 2010. (Mariah Tauger / Los Angeles Times)
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First Lady Michelle Obama sits in a booth at Staples Center to watch Game 6 of the Lakers-Celtics Finals series. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
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Comedian Dane Cook and TV host Maria Menounos watch the Lakers-Celtics Game 6 from the stands at Staples. (CJ Gunther / EPA)
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Christina Aguilera checks her cellphone after singing the national anthem at the beginning of Game 6 of the NBA Finals series between the Celtics and the Lakers. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
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Red Hot Chili Pepper Anthony Kiedis hopes to fire up the Lakers in Game 6 at Staples versus the Celtics. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
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Rock star Lenny Kravitz brings some celebrity to the Staples stands during Game 6 against the Celtics. (Ronald Martinez / Getty Images)
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Actors Diane Lane and Josh Brolin cozy up courtside during the Lakers-Celtics Finals Game 6. (For the record: A an earlier version of the headline above this caption misidentified Josh Brolin as John Brolin.)(CJ Gunther / EPA)
“It would be awful,” Rivers said of Jordan’s possible exclusion, “but I think Kobe should be on the All-Star team. I think certain guys earn that right and unfortunately for other guys who can’t make it, they have to earn that right too.”
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Lakers Coach Byron Scott was taken aback when he heard the distance between Bryant and other players.
“I was like, ‘Whoa.’ That’s pretty good because right now, really I think probably Steph is the most popular player in the NBA,” Scott said.
Bryant was averaging 17.4 points per game but shooting only 34.4% before Friday, putting him last among 119 qualifiers for field-goal percentage.
“I think it’s obviously a tribute — I don’t think it has a whole lot to do with this year,” Scott said. “I think it has to do with his body of work.”
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Balancing act
On the same day he appeared in a television ad aimed at ending gun violence, Paul also was part of a commercial featuring Jordan in a blond wig and a black dress.
Paul and Jordan were part of the “Hoopers” family in the new State Farm Insurance ads that debuted on Christmas, with Paul playing the father and Jordan the mother.
In one of the ads, Jordan frantically announces his rings were stolen only to have Paul remind him that he doesn’t have any rings. It was truth in advertising for two players on a team with zero championships, but they seemed to be having fun with it.
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“I may be up for an Oscar,” Jordan quipped Friday. “Short film.”
Etc.
Scott grew up in Inglewood, just like Clippers veteran Paul Pierce, but their paths diverged sharply from there, Scott playing for Morningside High and the Lakers. Pierce played for Inglewood High and the Boston Celtics, the archrivals of Scott’s teams. “He’s had an unbelievable career, but he had two mistakes,” Scott said. “Both wore green and white. Inglewood High School, Boston Celtics.” … Clippers guard Austin Rivers said his sprained right ankle was feeling better and he remained on track to return Monday against the Washington Wizards.
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Lakers guard D’Angelo Russell drives past Clippers guard Chris Paul during their Christmas Day matchup in 2015. (Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers guard Kobe Bryant tries to split the defense of Clippers guards J.J. Redick, left, and Chris Paul during a drive in the second quarter of a game on Dec. 25.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers guard Lou Williams leaps to try to make a pass over Clippers center DeAndre Jordan and guard J.J. Redick.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers guard Kobe Bryant makes a pass around Clippers guard J.J. Redick.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Guards Chris Paul of the Clippers and D’Angelo Russell of the Lakers try to track down a loose ball.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Clippers center DeAndre Jordan fouls Lakers guard Jordan Clarkson in a December game.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers forward Julius Randle can’t chase down a loose ball in front of Clippers guard Jamal Crawford during the first half.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Lakers guard Kobe Bryant drives around Clippers forward Luc Mbah a Moute during their game Friday.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Clippers center DeAndre Jordan is fouled by Lakers center Roy Hibbert while trying to score on Friday.
(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
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Clippers forward Blake Griffin makes a pass over Lakers guards Kobe Bryant and D’Angelo Russell during the first half on Dec. 25.
(Chris Carlson / Associated Press)
CLIPPERS NEXT UP
AT UTAH
When: 6 p.m. PST, Saturday.
Where: Energy Solutions Arena.
On the air: TV: Prime; Radio: 980, 1330.
Records: Jazz 12-15; Clippers 16-13 before Friday night’s game.
Record vs. Jazz: 0-1.
Update: Utah has won only four of its last 12 games but had something to celebrate last month after beating the Clippers for the first time since January 2012. The Jazz pulled out a 102-91 victory at Staples Center despite Blake Griffin’s season-high 40 points, ending a losing streak against the Clippers at 13 games. Utah center Rudy Gobert contributed to the triumph with a double-double but has since suffered a sprained left knee that is expected to keep him out until the middle of January.
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Ben Bolch has been a Los Angeles Times staff writer since 1999. He is serving his second stint as the UCLA beat writer, which seems fitting since he has covered almost every sports beat except hockey and horse racing. Bolch is also the author of the recently released book “100 Things UCLA Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die.” He previously covered UCLA basketball from 2010-11 before going on to cover the NBA and the Clippers for five years. He happily traded in gobs of hotel points and airline miles to return to cover UCLA basketball and football in the summer of 2016. Bolch was once selected by NBA TV’s “The Starters” as the “Worst of the Week” after questioning their celebrity journalism-style questions at an NBA All-Star game and considers it one of his finer moments.
