This was a much more pleasant reason to be rousted up out of a nap than the alternative for Kemba Walker.
For weeks there had been rumors the Charlotte Hornets point guard could be traded before Thursday’s 3 p.m. NBA deadline. That time came and passed, so Walker settled in for his standard pregame nap. Then, his phone went nuts with text messages: Hornets general manager Rich Cho, agent Jeff Schwartz, team owner Michael Jordan. All in line to congratulate him for being named a replacement All-Star.
The NBA announced late Thursday that Walker would make his second career All-Star appearance.