Tyrone Nesby drives during the Wizards win over the Kings. Noren Trotman NBAE/Getty Images Thursday's Photos

1. Vince Carter To Miss NBA's Big Weekend With `Jumpers' Knee'
2. Nuggets' Coach Mike Evans Looks To Enjoy All-Star Weekend
3. Garnett and Szczerbiak Heading To All-Star Game
4. Desmond Mason Happy To Defend Slam Dunk Title
5. Cassell Signs Long Term Contract With Bucks
6. All-Star Game Full Of Subplots
7. Dikembe Mutombo Is The Perfect Role Model
8. Elton Brand Gets All-Star Wish
9. Strong Start Should Not Stop Pistons From Being Patient
10 .Wizards Have Unlimited Possibilities
11. Shaq's Injury Leaves Don Nelson With A Tough Decision
12. Charles Oakley Would Be A Good Fit For Knicks
13. Mourning Looking Like The Old Zo Again
14. Celtics Halfway Pleased At Break
15. Kidd MVP At Midway Point Of Season

1. Vince Carter To Miss NBA's Big Weekend With `Jumpers' Knee'
In today's TORONTO STAR, Doug Smith writes that one of the greatest wins "in Toronto Raptors history may have come at a tremendous cost." Vince Carter injured his left quadricep muscle last night against the Spurs and will probably be out for "at least 10 days." Carter will not participate in any of the festivities in Philadelphia this weekend and "team officials say he may wind up on the injured list, "adds Smith.

2. Nuggets' Coach Mike Evans Looks To Enjoy All-Star Weekend
It has not been an easy first half of the season for Nuggets' head coach Mike Evans, writes Marc J. Spears in the DENVER POST. Since taking over for the embattled Dan Issel, Evans has "been under plenty of pressure" while coaching the Nuggets to a 5-14 record. Evans is hoping that the return of Antonio McDyess, Tariq Abdul-Wahad, and Scott Williams will lead to a better second half.

3. Garnett and Szczerbiak Heading To All-Star Game
In today's ST. PAUL PIONEER PRESS, Robbi Pickeral writes that when Wally Szczerbiak found out he made this year's All-Star team, the first player to congratulate him was All-Star Kevin Garnett. "Garnett huddled his teammates at midcourt", and "clapped his hands" to celebrate Wally's selection. Wally became emotional, and was "a little choked up. And when he talked about it recently, Garnett did, too," writes Pickeral.

4. Desmond Mason Happy To Defend Slam Dunk Title
Sonics' guard Desmond Mason is looking forward to defending his Slam Dunk championship and is eager to hold onto his title, writes Jim Moore in the SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER. Mason will also participate in the Rookie Challenge and "someday" hopes to play in the "marquee game," adds Moore.

5. Cassell Signs Long Term Contract With Bucks
Tom Enlund reports in today's MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL that the Milwaukee Bucks announced that Sam "Cassell had signed a contract extension with the team." According to Cassell's agent the contract is a three-year deal and although "financial terms of the deal were not released," the contract extension "is thought to be worth a bit more than $17 million," reports Enlund.

6. All-Star Game Full Of Subplots
From the DESERET NEWS, Rich Evans writes that the All-Star game could result in a showdown of who will capture MVP honors between Allen Iverson and Michael Jordan. With Shaquille O'Neal out with bad feet, "the spotlight features to focus squarely on Jordan" and Iverson, the "hometown hero." adds Evans.

7. Dikembe Mutombo Is The Perfect Role Model
In today's CHICAGO SUN-TIMES, Lacy J. Banks writes that there is a lot more to Dikembe Mutombo than just being an NBA All-Star. " There is more to Mutombo's life than enjoying the comfort, fame and fortune of NBA stardom." Mutombo is special individual, who is a good husband, "a loving father of six children--four of whom were adopted--and a humanitarian who has contributed more than $5 million to charity," writes Banks.

8. Elton Brand Gets All-Star Wish
Clippers' forward Elton Brand will replace Shaquille O'Neal on the Western Conference All-Star team, writes Elliott Teaford in the LOS ANGELES TIMES. The appointment of Brand "makes things right in the minds of the Clippers" who thought Brand should have been an All-Star in the first place.

9. Strong Start Should Not Stop Pistons From Being Patient
Drew Sharp writes in today's DETROIT FREE PRESS that the Detroit Pistons are surprising many people throughout the league with their strong first half of the season. The Pistons could look to made a trade by the February 21st deadline, in order to make a serious run in the Eastern Conference, but that might not be the solution. Patience is a virtue here at the Palace of Auburn Hills. They're building something special in Detroit, "but we should judge the product by how it might look in the next two years," writes Sharp.

10 .Wizards Have Unlimited Possibilities
Michael Wilbon from the WASHINGTON POST writes that "something is budding" with the Wizards who are five games above the .500 mark going into the All-Star break. Washington is riding a wave of beating some of the NBA's elite and is "cautiously" looking towards a playoff run. With Richard Hamilton returning and Michael Jordan rounding into form, the Wizards could be a very dangerous team in the post season.

11. Shaq's Injury Leaves Don Nelson With A Tough Decision
In today's DALLAS MORNING NEWS, Marc Stein writes that "Don Nelson's toughest All-Star coaching decision figured to be choosing the first player off his bench Sunday." But an even bigger problem Nelson faces is finding a fifth starter, now with "center Shaquille O'Neal pulling out of the All-Star Game on Thursday because of his nagging arthritic toe." The big question is, who will Nelson pick?

12. Charles Oakley Would Be A Good Fit For Knicks
The Knicks are "interested" in re-acquiring Charles Oakley as New York tries to reinforce its front line after the loss of Marcus Camby, reports Frank Isola in the NEW YORK DAILY NEWS. Camby is out indefinitely with a torn hip muscle and the Bulls "are reportedly considering releasing" Oakley who "has seen his playing time decrease while the Bulls" give rookies Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry more playing time..

13. Mourning Looking Like The Old Zo Again
Stephen F. Holder writes in today's MIAMI HERALD that Alonzo Mourning has learned a lot about himself since he was diagnosed with focal glomerulosclerosis, a kidney disease. Mourning now understands "the difference between the old Zo and the Zo of today is that this one has learned to cope with his life as it is." Alonzo does not ask why he came down with this disease anymore, "now Mourning only seeks to know how he can overcome it," writes Holder.

14. Celtics Halfway Pleased At Break
With their season at the midway point, the Celtics view their glass as "half empty", according to Marc Cofman in the BOSTON HERALD. A "rash of injuries and poorly played games" at the tail end of the first half leave Boston with a 28-21 record. Although the Celtics are "limping into the break," they are right in the middle of the Eastern Conference race.

15. Kidd MVP At Midway Point Of Season
Jason Kidd has revived the "once-beleaguered Nets" to an Eastern Conference-best 32-15 record and are "the biggest surprise in the NBA", writes Liz Robbins in the NEW YORK TIMES. Kidd, who will be the starting point guard for the East squad in Sunday's All-Star game, is the "front runner" for MVP honors.