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 The Spaniards will become the first brothers to start the annual
game and as centers for their conference teams will face off for the
jump ball to open the contest in Madison Square Garden.
They commanded a horde of attention that rivalled the throng
surrounding LeBron James and Kevin Durant during Friday's All-Star
Media Day.
Who will win the tip?
Marc, 30, of the Grizzlies took the question somewhat seriously.
"I don’t think it matters who wins it," the West center said. "I
know we’re both going to go for it, no matter what we say right
now."
Pau, 34, now with the Bulls of the East after six-plus seasons with
the Lakers, touched on the historical significance.
 "It's a once in a lifetime experience," he said. "For this to be the
first time is extremely meaningful. We're just thrilled as a family,
overwhelmed."
It is Marc's second All-Star honor and Pau's fifth, and their first
together.
Not since Dick and Tom Van Arsdale played in All-Star games in 1970
and 1971 have brothers been in the same mid-season classic. But
never has there been sibling starters among more than 70 sets of NBA
brothers.
Marc said the brothers grew up competing.
"We’d do anything, we’d play any sport. We’d go from tennis to ping
pong and bocce ball," he said. "It’s just something that we love, to
play sports."
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Marc, who stands 7-foot-1 (2.16 m), said watching 7-foot (2.13 m)
Pau scale the heights in the NBA had helped him.
"I’ve been really fortunate to be really close to Pau, to have seen
him play, to see how he acted," Marc said.
"Once I had the chance to do the same thing, I had a little cheat
sheet where I could look."
Pau, who played on back-to-back NBA championship teams with the
Lakers, found the occasion nostalgic.
"This is the hotel where I stayed when I was drafted," said Pau,
taken third overall in the 2001 Draft. "To be here now as an
All-Star 14 years later, with my brother, with everyone around
covering this moment, it's incredible."
(Editing by Gene Cherry)
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