Die Plauderecke » s brought down by Ken

NEW ORLEANS - When DeMar DeRozan found out he had made his first NBA All-Star Game two weeks ago, receiving the news on the team plane upon landing in Denver, he wasnt surprised but instead described the feeling as a surreal one. Now - 48 hours before the main event - the Raptors leading scorer is soaking it all in, still a little starry-eyed, mindful of how far he has come and what its taken to get him to this point. "Its starting to become real now," he told TSN.ca Friday afternoon, as the All-Star participants gathered in the cavernous ballroom of a New Orleans hotel for their annual media day circus. "I think when I really go out there, put the jersey on and head to the arena Sunday evening [it will really hit me]." The 24-year-old DeRozan does not have to look very far to find mementos of his NBA journey, the closest one will be sitting adjacent to him on the Eastern Conference teams bench when the game tips off on Sunday. Heat forward and fellow All-Star reserve Chris Bosh was one of the first to pull DeRozan aside upon arrival in New Orleans this weekend. Bosh - the Raptors last representative in the All-Star Game, four years ago - left for Miami following DeRozans rookie season. He, as much as anyone, can attest to DeRozans growth as a player and the message he had for his former teammate was just that. "Im proud of you," he told the Raptors guard. "It means a lot," DeRozan said of Boshs kind words. "We were just laughing because I remember being the only rookie, 19-years-old on the Raptors, him being a star and seeing all the things he was going through when he was [in Toronto] and how he had to carry the team on his back." "After he left I had to step up and learn. Its just crazy, we were laughing at how fast time flies. It seems like yesterday I was that rookie who wouldnt shoot the ball and passed it to Chris every time." There was pressure on DeRozan to contribute right out of the gate, starting 65 games - most of them alongside Bosh - as a rookie in Toronto. He was, to his own admission, a deer in the NBA headlights. He attempted fewer than seven shots per game - which more than doubled in his second year, without Bosh in the lineup - yet averaged less than an assist in over 21 minutes a night. At the time, becoming an All-Star was not even on his radar, his focus was self-preservation and proving his worth as an NBA player. "Youre always stuck in the moment," he remembered. "You stay on course with your everyday tasks and you work towards something like this, you just work every single day. I knew if I just stay consistent, stay focused and didnt get down on myself too much I knew I had a chance." Five seasons later - one year removed from signing a long-term contract extension - his work ethic has not wavered, if anything its gotten stronger, more relentless. "Im proud of DeMar," said Terrence Ross, who has become a protégé of DeRozans. "Hes put in so much work. To see him here is like, man, I wish we could give him more for all hes done. Im just happy hes here getting a chance to prove to the world what he can do." Now that hes here, now that hes come this far he knows not to take it for granted. DeRozan - who is tied for fourth in the league in minutes played, also nursing an ankle injury - could have used the time off but youll never get him to admit it. Hes honoured to be representing the third-place, division-leading Raptors on the world stage. He was caught off guard when his agent called to deliver the leagues invitation to participate in Saturdays Skills Challenge, an event usually reserved for point guards, one thats out of his comfort zone. Originally he declined but it didnt take much prodding to convince him to change his mind. "Everybody doesnt get a chance to be a part of All-Star Weekend," he said when he was announced as a participant last week. "The big thing for me is to go out there and have fun. I think it will be cool to go out there and represent my team as much as I can and you never know, I might mess around and win it." DeRozans attitude is a refreshing change of pace from many of todays star players who decline invitations to participate in All-Star Saturday Night each year to preserve their energy, prevent injury or simply because they feel like theyve graduated from it. Sure, LeBron still wont dunk but perhaps times are changing after all. For the first time since 1988 three All-Stars will compete in the Slam Dunk contest, one of them, Damian Lillard will participate in all five major events this weekend. His rationale is on par with DeRozans. "Im happy Im really a part of the weekend," said Lillard, another first-time All-Star. "Ive gotten great reception from the fans. Fans are excited about having someone who is participating in the All-Star Game being in all the events." DeRozan is considered a long shot to defeat Lillard, the reigning champion, in Saturdays Skills Challenge but hes not putting too much pressure on himself. For him, the weekend is all about embracing a new opportunity, his first real All-Star opportunity. Fernando Valenzuela Jersey . MacLean clocked 8:24.91 seconds, eclipsing the previous mark of 8:27.59 set by Brittany Reimer of Victoria at the 2005 FINA World Championships in Montreal. MacLean and Tabitha Baumann of Ottawa -- second in 8:32.37 -- both went under the qualifying standard to be nominated to the Commonwealth Games and Pan Pacific teams. Julio Urias Jersey . - Canadian tennis star Eugenie Bouchard has signed with WME-IMG, saying the sports management powerhouse will help maximize the value of my brand. http://www.dodgersteamproshop.com/Dodger...-Kids-Jersey/.C. -- Clemson celebrated a senior class Saturday that brought the program back as a national contender. Joc Pederson Jersey . -- A lawyer for the fiancee of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez asked a judge Friday to throw out perjury charges, saying Shayanna Jenkins did not wilfully lie as she was bombarded with 1,630 questions over two days before a grand jury. Andre Ethier Jersey .C. United on Saturday night and boost the Unions playoff hopes. Nick DeLeon scored in the 36th minute for United (3-23-6), which had ample opportunities to build on its lead but went its 10th straight match without a victory.Rob Kelley scored three touchdowns as the Washington Redskins beat the Green Bay Packers 42-24 in a wind-affected game. Kirk Cousins threw for 375 yards and three touchdowns, subjecting the Green Bay Packers to their fourth consecutive defeat. In 140 Characters...Rob Kelley scores three and the Redskins run riot over an injury ridden Packers defence. Kirk Cousins shows franchise QB form ahead of Dallas showdown. WATCH: Audio tech flattened! A technician decided to run across the front of the Vikings tunnel at the wrong time... MVPIt was Cousins boldness in windy conditions that secured the win for his team. On successive drives, the franchise QB threw 70 and then 53 yards to Pierre Garcon and Jamison Crowder respectively, which both resulted in touchdowns.With performances like these, he looked like Washingtons quarterback of the future. Kirk Cousins was franchise tagged in the summer and, after a tricky start, has begun to show his ability Game-changerWith Green Bay down by 11 late in the fourth quarter, Josh Norman punched the ball out of Jared Cooks hands, disrupting a Green Bay drive in good field position and handing possession back to Washington. Stat of the night4 - The Green Bay Packers havent lost four straight since Aaron Rodgers first year as a starter in 2008. Scoring Summary 1st Quarter GB 0-7 WAS TD - D. Jackson 17 yd pass - K. Cousins Extra Point - D. Hopkins 2nd Quarter GB 7-7 WAS TD - J. Nelson 13 yd pass - A. Rodgers Extra Point - M. Crosby GB 10-7 WAS FG - M. Crosby 36 yd GB 10-13 WAS TD - R. Kelley 1 yd rush Two Point attempt FAILED 3rd Quarter GB 10-16 WAS FG - D. Hopkins 37 yd GB 10-22 WAS TD - J. Crowder 44 yd pass - K. Cousins Two Point attempt FAILED 4th Quarter GB 17-22 WAS TD - J. Starks 31 yd pass - A. Rodgers Extra Point - M. Crosby GB 17-29 WAS TD - P. Garcon 70 yd pass - K. Cousins Extra Point - D.dddddddddddd Hopkins GB 22-29 WAS TD - J. Cook 6 yd pass - A. Rodgers Extra Point - M. Crosby GB 22-35 WAS TD - R. Kelley 1 yd rush Extra Point - NO GOOD GB 22-42 WAS TD - R. Kelley 4 yd rush Extra Point - D. Hopkins The gameAfter a slow start, disrupted by swirling winds which made it difficult for both quarterbacks and receivers, it was Cousins and the Redskins who were first on the board.The quarterback found DeSean Jackson down the middle for a 17 yard score to complete an eight play drive and hand his side the lead. The Packers offence played well enough to keep them in the game, but it was their defence that couldnt hold the Redskins attack It wasnt long before the visitors levelled, Aaron Rodgers taking 17 plays to go 75 yards. After several short yard gains, Rodgers found Ty Montgomery in the end zone, but the play was nullified due to an offensive holding penalty.On the very next play Rodgers threw again, this time to Jordy Nelson at the back of the end zone. Though he lost the ball under pressure from Sua Cravens, the officials ruled it a catch and awarded Green Bay the points. The visitors added a 38 yard field goal to take a 10-7 lead, before Jordan Reed ran 44 yards from two drives to set up Kelley for a 10 yard score. The Redskins extended their lead early in the second half as Dustin Hopkins converted a 37 yard field goal before Cousins connected with Crowder for a 44 yard touchdown score to put the home side up 22-10.Rodgers connected with a wide open James Starks for a 31 yard touchdown pass, but it took the Redskins just two plays to re-establish their advantage. After a five yard gain, Cousins threw a 70 yard deep ball to Garcon who outran the covering safety and skipped into the end zone. Cousins found Pierre Garcon on a 70 throw to to establish a 12 point lead Green Bay pulled it back once more, Randall Cobbs 47 yard reception set up a six yard touchdown pass to Cook for his first score as a Packer. However the Redskins werent done and Cousins went long again, this time 53 yards to Crowder, who got to the one yard line before he was brought down by Kentrell Brice. Kelley added the extra yard, extending Washingtons lead to 11 points.It looked as though Green Bay might mount another comeback, and with under four minutes on the clock Rodgers completed a 37 yard pass to Davante Adams. However Redskins cornerback Norman forced a critical fumble, punching the ball out of Cooks hands.Washington recovered, and Kelley burst through the Green Bay defence sprinting 68 yards before adding another five on the following play to complete the score. Running back Rob Kelley scored three touchdowns and caused problems for the Green Bay defence all night It was a great offensive display from both sides, but it was the injuries to Green Bays defence that let them down. Missing David Bakhtiari and T.J Lang left them susceptible to the run, which Kelley took full advantage of, finishing for 137 yards and three touchdowns.The fourth loss on the spin leaves Green Bay two games behind the Detroit Lions, and one off the Minnesota Vikings, both of who won today.As for the Redskins, they face another tough test against the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night, as part of the Thanksgiving triple header live on Sky Sports 2 from 5pm. 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