New stars ready to take over

They are, on average, just 21 years old, but only first names are needed when running down the list of stars of the NBA’s Generation Next.

LeBron, Amare, Dwyane and Carmelo.

All the stars are out in Denver this weekend for the NBA’s All-Star Game, namely past Most Valuable Player award winners Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan and Kevin Garnett. But it’s the league’s new wave of young superstars that is creating the biggest buzz.

LeBron James, Amare Stoudemire and Dwyane Wade not only have their teams in serious playoff contention, but they are already all-star caliber players in today’s big game.

Then there’s Carmelo Anthony, the weekend’s unofficial tour guide in the Mile High City, after seeing his game slip somewhat in his sophomore season.

With Karl Malone and Reggie Miller retiring and Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Jermaine O’Neal, Rashard Lewis and Garnett reaching middle age in basketball years, it is the young core of stars that are being looked to now to lead the NBA into a revival.

If there is still a hangover for the league from Michael Jordan’s third retirement, that group of one-named stars who will be expected to carry the torch for the NBA.

Cleveland’s James put up the best numbers of any rookie to make the leap from high school to the pros last season. He’s obliterated those statistics this season, which borders on being one of the best in league history. He is averaging 25.4 points, 7.7 assists and 7.1 rebounds, giving him a chance to become the fifth player in league history to average at least 25 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. The others to do so? Oscar Robertson, John Havlicek, Larry Bird and Jordan.

Vague response on labor talks

Asked to name the specific areas where they’ve made progress on a new collective bargaining agreement, NBA commissioner David Stern and union director Billy Hunter pursed their lips and slowly turned toward each other.

Neither man came up with an answer.

The league’s seven-year labor agreement expires at the end of June. The two sides have agreed to meet several times in the upcoming weeks in an effort to narrow their differences.

“I may be combining reality with hope, but I think there will be a deal by the end of the season,” Stern said.