Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
The NBA lockout won’t stop some of the league’s top talent from taking the court later this month in Philadelphia.
LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony, and Chris Paul are expected to participate in a game between Baltimore-based “Team Melo” and a team of players representing Philadephia.
The game is scheduled for Sept. 25 at The Palestra, one of the most prestigious college basketball venues in the country. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m.
“It’s going to be fun,” said Kurk Lee, an official with the Melo League who helped organize the game.
Anthony will be joined by James, Durant, Paul, Josh Selby and Eric Bledsoe, among others, on “Team Melo.”
Hakim Warrick will lead “Team Philly” and is expected to share the court with Lou Williams, Markief Morris and Marcus Morris, Kyle Lowry and Wayne Ellington, among others.
Game organizers have tried to lure Kobe Bryant and Tyreke Evans to “Team Philly,” but neither, as of now, is committed to play.
According to the University of Pennsylvania, which plays its men’s and women’s home basketball games at the Palestra, tickets will be on sale from $35-$50. A number of tickets will also be donated to community groups. A portion of the revenue generated is expected to be donated to Philadelphia-based charities.
The exhibition is the latest in a series of games featuring some of the biggest names in the NBA.
On Aug. 30, a team featuring Anthony, James and Paul beat a Washington D.C.-based Goodman League team led by Durant, 149-141 in Baltimore. Durant had an eye-popping 59 in a losing effort and went back and forth with James for much of the game.
Ten days earlier, a team from the Goodman League featuring Durant topped Brandon Jennings and others from the Los Angeles-based Drew League, 135-134, at Trinity University in Washington D.C.
Earlier in the summer, Durant scored 66 points during a thrilling performance in the Entertainer’s Basketball Classic at Harlem’s famed Rucker Park. He also went head-to-head with Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley at the Dyckman League in Washington Heights.
James and Bryant have competed separately at the Drew League in Los Angeles.
Dozens of pro players are also competing in an NBA-only league in Las Vegas.
The games and the Vegas league have drawn national attention because the NBA players and owners are engaged in a labor dispute. Representatives from the players and owners met Thursday, for the just the fourth time since the lockout began on July 1.
WRITTEN BY Ian Begley is a regular contributor to ESPNNewYork.com & FULL STORY HERE
