National Basketball Association roundup

[February 14, 2015]  Feb 13 (The Sports Xchange) - New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony, who is contemplating not playing the rest of the year, denied he sat out games just so he would be available for the All-Star Game.

Anthony called that theory "absurd," ESPN reported Friday. Anthony said he had played even when told to rest his troublesome left knee.

Anthony, 30, has dealt with soreness in the knee for most of the season and has missed 13 games, including two of the last three before the All-Star break.

On Thursday, the eight-time All-Star told ESPN Radio that there's a good chance he will be shut down for the remainder of the season after the All-Star Game on Sunday in New York. But Friday he hedged on his plans.

"I haven't made that decision yet," Anthony said at NBA All-Star Media Day. "I've got to talk to everybody. I haven't talked to anybody."

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Knicks owner James Dolan said his vitriolic response to an email from an angry fan was "tit for tat" and he knows he should not have responded that way.

Speaking Friday during a charity event at All-Star Weekend, Dolan said the critical email from 73-year-old fan Irving Bierman "caught me at the wrong moment and I responded sort of like tit for tat. I knew I shouldn't have done that, but I did it anyway because it made me angry. It was a personal, hateful attack.

"Basically it's over and we've got All-Star Weekend. I'd love it if we all just focused on that."

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The Houston Rockets are making a renewed attempt to trade for Phoenix Suns guard Goran Dragic.

League sources told ESPN.com that the Rockets are hoping to convince the Suns to part with Dragic before the Feb. 19 trade deadline.

Dragic, 28, is in his second season in Phoenix after leaving the Rockets in free agency in July 2012. He can become a free agent this offseason by declining a $7.5 million player option for 2015-16. Dragic is averaging 16.2 points and 4.1 assists this season. (Editing by Andrew Both)

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