New Orleans • Sitting at a table surrounded by media peppering him with questions this weekend, Paul Millsap exhibited the kind of patience this weekend that's allowed him to ascend from second round pick to perennial All-Star.
The season hasn't been easy for the former Utah Jazz starter who went on to find stardom with the Atlanta Hawks. His name was tossed around in trade rumors earlier this year. He saw his good friend Kyle Korver traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers. And he's now on a team in transition.
Millsap can become an unrestricted free agent this summer. And The Tribune has learned he will indeed opt out of the final year of his contract and do just that. But his consistency has always been there, and that's why he's found his way to New Orleans for a fourth consecutive All-Star appearance.
"I just keep striving to get better," Millsap said. "I love to be in this game, and I appreciate it. The All-Star game is a good chance to get some of the street ball out, and I do have some of that in me."
Millsap's weekend has been a family affair, the chance to hang out with the people close to him, such as his three brothers, John, Elijah and Abe. Millsap has once again been Atlanta's best player. The 6-foot-8 forward is averaging 18 points and eight rebounds per night. He's handing out almost four assists per game and he's evolved into one of the best all-around defenders in the NBA.
He's set himself apart with his 3-point shooting, something he largely didn't have in his arsenal when he was with the Jazz. That ability to shoot has added to his value over time. And now, even at 32 years old, Millsap is considered one of the most versatile players in the league.
"It's just working on my game," Millsap said. "The NBA game is so much more perimeter oriented than it used to be. With the athletes that we have, the right spacing on the floor is important."
Milestone
Cleveland Cavaliers star forward LeBron James set the NBA All-Star career scoring record in Sunday's first half, becoming the first All-Star in history to pass the 300 point mark. James scored a team-high 20 points in the first half, on 9-15 shooting from the field.
Local participation
Wasatch Academy junior guard Emmanuel Akot attended the Basketball Without Borders Global Camp this weekend in New Orleans. The camp featured 67 of the top boys and girls international high school prospects. Akot, who is Canadian, is considered one of the top 20 players nationally in his class.
A 6-foot-6 shooting guard who is considered one of the most versatile players in the class of 2018, Akot is being recruited heavily by the University of Utah, as well as many of the top schools in the country.
tjones@sltrib.com
Twitter: @tribjazz