LAS VEGAS -- DeAndre Jordan is about to become an Olympian, but he has still never been an All-Star.He was first-team All-NBA as a center this past season, yet he has never set foot at All-Star Weekend, even for a slam dunk contest.Thats largely because the NBA no longer creates a category for centers to start in the All-Star Game, a decision that has never sat well with the?Los Angeles Clippers?center.The game is definitely evolving. Its becoming more guard-oriented. But at the same time weve got a lot of big guys who still kick ass, Jordan said Wednesday after Team USAs practice.Well never be extinct, even though theres no more centers in the NBA ... just call me a forward when you introduce me against starting lineups.Jordan, of course, was being very sarcastic with that last line. It still bothers him that he has never made an All-Star team. He will continue to decline invitations to the slam dunk contest until he earns his way to the All-Star team. But Jordan said he doesnt dwell on it as much as he did in years past.I think this [Olympics] is way bigger than any of that. I think making first-team All-NBA is way bigger than any of that, Jordan said. When I was younger I used to care [about not making the All-Star team.]. But now it doesnt matter as much to me. As long as I have the respect of my peers, thats all that matters. Shoes Ireland Free Shipping . "Hes going to have hip surgery on Jan. 7, and hell be expected to rehabilitate for four to six months beyond that," Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said Friday in an interview. Wholesale Shoes Ireland .com) - Manchester City midfielder David Silva is expected to miss the next four weeks because of a calf problem. https://www.shoesirelandsale.com/ . -- If Henry Burris has his way, he will be the starting quarterback to lead the Hamilton Tiger-Cats back to the Grey Cup next year. Cheap Shoes Ireland Online . Having already announced that the race will start May 9 with three stages in Northern Ireland and Ireland and finish in Trieste on June 1, the rest of the route was unveiled Monday. Shoes Ireland From China . Despite the cost, effort and an improved steroid test, its possible that very few -- if any -- positives will be detected, Dr. Richard Budgett told The Associated Press in an interview. "We just dont know what the results from Torino will be," Budgett said. AUBURN HILLS, Mich. -- The Indiana Pacers hope a renewed emphasis on defense will help turn their season around.Paul George scored 26 points and Indiana held Detroit to 38 percent shooting in a 105-90 win over the Pistons on Saturday.Weve got to be a consistent and well-coached defensive team, said George, who also had seven rebounds and two steals. Its the consistency that we have to match every night.Jeff Teague had 19 points, nine rebounds and eight assists for the Pacers, who snapped a two-game losing streak and beat the Pistons for the third straight time. Glenn Robinson III added 12 points and 12 rebounds, and Thaddeus Young also scored 12 points on 6-for-8 shooting.Indiana had six players score in double figures and shot 48 percent from the field. But it was near the bottom of the NBA in scoring defense coming into the day, so it was its work on that side of the court that was so encouraging for George and company.Offensively, well make shots, George said. But defensively, thats got to be us.Kentavious Caldwell-Pope had 20 points for Detroit, and Reggie Jackson finished with 19 points and 10 assists. Tobias Harris added 13 points, and Andre Drummond grabbed 15 rebounds.The Pistons have lost three of their last four games, dropping into last place in the Central Division in the Eastern Conference.Were not in a good place right now, Pistons coach Stan Van Gundy said. We have to get it back together.Detroit jumped out to an early nine-point lead, but George hit a 3-pointer to help Indiana to a 27-26 lead after one.The Pacers kept up the pressure in the second quarter and led 55-44 at the break.dddddddddddd. George and Teague each scored 14 in the first half.Indiana opened a 64-45 lead on Teagues jumper in the third. Detroit cut the deficit to 11 late in the period, but Georges 3-pointer gave Indiana an 83-69 advantage heading to the fourth.We always want to be aggressive attacking the basket, Pacers coach Nate McMillan said. If your attack forces them to commit to the ball, then you move the ball, its a simple basketball game.TIP-INSPacers: Rodney Stuckey (sore left hamstring) and Monte Ellis (right groin strain) did not play. ... Indiana improved to 7-2 in its last nine games at the Palace. ... The Pacers entered Saturday allowing their opponents to average 106.4 points per game.Pistons: Detroit allowed an opponent to score more than 100 points at the Palace for the first time this season, snapping a 12-game streak. It was the Pistons longest such stretch to begin a season since 2003-04. Weve been a pretty good defensive team throughout the season, Jackson said. We just havent been good as of late. ... Detroit is 8-5 at home after starting the season 5-0.CONNECTIONSRobinson III played college ball at Michigan from 2012-14. ... Stuckey was a first-round draft pick of the Pistons in 2007 and played with Detroit through 2014. ... Pistons assistant coach Tim Hardaway played with Indiana in 2002-03.UP NEXTPacers: At home Monday vs. Washington.Pistons: At Chicago on Monday. ' ' '