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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. Jean-Gabriel Pageau Jersey . Wearing bib No. 1, Maze skied through the gates cleanly to defend her big first-run lead and finish 0.07 seconds ahead of Anna Fenninger of Austria. Defending champion Viktoria Rebensburg of Germany was third, trailing 0. Craig Anderson Jersey .D. Martinezs ninth-inning sacrifice fly scored Torii Hunter with the winning run and the Detroit Tigers beat the Minnesota Twins 4-3 Sunday. http://www.authenticsenatorspro.com/Mike-condon-senators-jersey/ .Just like old times.Only this time, just one got to enjoy a victory.James return to Miami as an opponent was a success — for the Heat, that is. Wade scored 24 of his 31 points in the first half, Luol Deng had 25 points and dogged James defensively all night, and the Heat beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 101-91 in a hyped Christmas matchup Thursday. Daniel Alfredsson Jersey .Y. -- Phil Jackson lost out on his preferred coach, but hes working hard on keeping his star player. Mark Stone Jersey . The turf is scheduled to give way to actual grass that is bright green, so we dont have to complain any more—we just have to wait a few years. Instead, do feel free to complain if the roof is closed for any reason other than to allow a game to be played.New York, NY (SportsNetwork.com) - Despite missing 25 games, reigning MVP Kevin Durant was selected to the All-Star Game Thursday as a reserve, while Kings center DeMarcus Cousins and Trail Blazers point guard Damian Lillard were among the players snubbed. Durant, who was named MVP of the 2012 All-Star Game and will be appearing in it for the sixth straight time, has only played in 21 of Oklahoma Citys 46 games while dealing with foot and toe injuries. There are plenty of familiar faces among the Western Conference reserves, including Durants teammate Russell Westbrook, Rockets MVP candidate and NBA scoring leader James Harden and Clippers point guard Chris Paul. Warriors sharpshooter Klay Thompson will be making his first appearance. Spurs big man and future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan will be making his 15th appearance in the All-Star Game, tying him with Kevin Garnett and Shaquille ONeal for third-most all-time. Portland power forward LaMarcus Aldridge, who has put off thumb surgery, rounds out the West roster. Harden is expected to move into the starting lineup in place of injured Lakers star Kobe Bryant, who is sidelined for the rest of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery. Lillard, Cousins and Grizzlies guard Mike Conley are among the potential replacemeents on the roster.dddddddddddd There were few, if any, surprises among the Eastern Conference reserves, with the conference-leading Hawks placing three players in the game for the first time since 1980. Point guard Jeff Teague made his first All-Star Game, forward Paul Millsap his second and center Al Horford will represent the East for the third time. Miami will be well-represented as well, with veterans Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh earning their 11th and 10th consecutive trips, respectively. Clevelands Kyrie Irving and Chicagos Jimmy Butler round out the roster. Irving, the reigning All-Star Game MVP, will play in the game for a third consecutive year, while Butler is set to make his first appearance. The Western Conference starters as voted by fans were Bryant, Golden States Stephen Curry, New Orleans Anthony Davis, Memphis Marc Gasol and Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers. New Yorks Carmelo Anthony, Chicagos Pau Gasol, Clevelands LeBron James, Torontos Kyle Lowry and Washingtons John Wall were voted as starters for the Eastern Conference. Atlantas Mike Budenholzer and his staff will coach the East, while first-year Golden State coach Steve Kerr and his staff will lead the West. The game will be held at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, Feb. 15. 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