LeBron, ‘Melo, CP3 Out of ‘World All-Star Classic’

Some of the NBA’s biggest names have bowed out of the World All-Star Classic, and even though the barnstorming tour will start in Puerto Rico on Sunday, there are doubts about it going forward (sound familiar?) Per ESPN: “Organizers say Kobe Bryant, Kevin Durant and Dwyane Wade are expected to headline an exhibition basketball game in Puerto Rico on Sunday. According to a press release, the World All-Star Classic also will feature Amare Stoudemire, Blake Griffin, Carlos Boozer, Chris Kaman, Chris Bosh, Dwight Howard, Kevin Garnett, Kevin Love, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo and Tyson Chandler. However, All-Stars LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul, originally slated to help headline the tour, have decided not to take part, sources with knowledge of the situation said. Durant is also wavering on playing in the entire tour, sources close to tour organizers said. The players were originally slated to travel across four continents with stops in London, Macau and Melbourne, Australia, but the defections have put those stops in jeapordy, a source said. The Puerto Rico game is a go in part due to brisk ticket sales, according to the source. James, Anthony and Paul made their decisions together after consulting with one another over the past week. The players wanted to use the lockout to spend more time with their families, sources said. The trio is somewhat hopeful that an NBA season can begin shortly, sources said.”