The 2012 NBA All-Star Balloting tipped off today during a special event in Orlando, the host city of NBA All-Star 2012. Presented by Sprint, the 2012 NBA All-Star Balloting gives fans around the world the opportunity to vote daily for their favorite players as starters for the 2012 NBA All-Star Game.
With Magic’s Dwight Howard, Jameer Nelson, Jason Richardson and Hedo Turkoglu, all on the All-Star Ballot and in attendance, the players had an opportunity to cast the first votes when voting began at 12:15 p.m.
A series of events are planned around the 2012 NBA All-Star beginning February 23, and Orlando will become the basketball capital of the world, said NBA Senior Vice President of Events & Attractions, Gail Hunter.
Howard also echoed those sentiments, saying the All-Star game is a great experience. Over the last three years, more than 7.6 million people have voted for him.
“This is great for our city,” he said. “We haven’t had an All-Star game since Patrick (Ewing) played in 1992, and it great to have it back. When you look back at that game and how much excitement was here, just to have it back, it will be big.” We can’t wait.. this is our time to shine… we will do the best we can, Howard added.
Orlando Magic Chief Executive Office, Alex Martins said, it’s a great day – the official start of the countdown when the basketball world will convene in Orlando.
“The Magic are extremely honored to serve as the host franchise for this marquee NBA event and we look forward to having the 61st edition of this great event surpass the success of the last time, when Orlando hosted the NBA All-Star in 1992,” he said.
Martins called on all Magic fans to vote early and often, to support the four great players on the All-Star Ballot so that they would play on the home floor.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said the city was thrilled to be hosting the NBA All-Star and noted it was one of the reasons a facility like the Amway Center was built.
“We are extremely pleased to host this signature event, the NBA All-Star, and we want to ensure its a slam dunk for the city of Orlando,” he said.
About 80,000 to 100,000 visitors are expected to come into Central Florida and some $80 – $100 million in local economic activity is estimated to be generated, Dyer said. Like Martins, he encouraged Magic supporters to cast their ballots, to make sure that there is sufficient blue, black and silver on the floor.
The many ways that fans could vote was outlined by Tim Considine, Sprint Director of Sports Marketing. These included persons going to NBA.com, mobile phones and texting the players last names along with 69622, or myNBA, an appt for Sprint customers and SMS.
Considine also said that the 2012 All Star Balloting had been expanded and fans could now cast up to 10 votes each day for their favorite players.
Voting ends at mid-night on Tuesday, January 31, 2012.
