Unless you have been living under a rock, this year the NBA is hosting it’s All-Star weekend here in the great city of Orlando.
Friday night, team Shaq and team Charles (Barkley) will face off in the Rising Stars challenge. Players like Jeremey Lin, Blake Griffin and Ricky Rubio will show off their talents in front of a sold out crowd.
The festivities were kicked off today with the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame Announcements. The first time finalists include Reggie Miller, Rick Pitino, Bill Finch and Katrina McClain.
Other finalists include Maurice Cheeks, Coach Bill Fitch, Bernard King, Coach Dick Motta, Coach Don Nelson, referee Hank Nichols, Ralph Sampson and Jamaal Wilkes. The Class of 2012 will be announced on Monday, April 2 at a news conference in New Orleans prior to the NCAA’s Men’s Championship game.
“When you’re a kid in your back yard pretending to be George “Iceman” Gervin you dream one day you will be in the NBA but being selected to be in the NBA Hall of Fame is something indescribable,” Reggie Miller said.
Those in attendance for the ceremony were Chris Mullen, David Robinson, George “iceman” Gervin and Domonique Wilkins.
Following the Hall of Fame Election was the media press conferences with the NBA All-Star’s.
Of course the host Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic received the most attention sitting next to Carmelo Anthony who joked and pretended to be a reporter asking Howard questions.
“Jeremy Evans is going to win the dunk contest,” Howard said with a big smile. “And Ryan (Anderson) is ready for the 3-point contest, I’ve shown him a thing or two.”
Howard went on to say, “this is a great honor for me and the city of Orlando to host such a great event.”
Carmelo touched a little bit on how important Jeremy Lin is to the Knicks and even said Lin “might get a 90 rating in the next NBA 2k video game.”
Anthony even extended some advice for Howard who much are speculating will leave the Magic.
“He has to do what’s best for him, trust me I know the feeling, lucky for me last years All-Star game wasn’t in Denver,” Anthony said with a smile.
When I caught up with LeBron James of the Miami Heat he talked to me about winning his first championship this year and his favorite part of All-Star weekend.
“Just need to finish this year, obviously we didn’t get the job done last year and we will attempt to this season,” James said.
“All-Star weekend is a great weekend, it’s not just about basketball we get to work with underprivileged kids which is great. It’s not just one night, you get the dunk contest then the Rising Stars game and the All-Star game itself,” James added.
Rajon Rondo a late addition to the Eastern Conference roster due to the injury of Atlanta Hawks Joe Johnson talked to me about playing along side three future Hall of Famers.
“I’ve never really been awestruck playing with anyone, I’m not that kind of guy but there is no question why they all are future Hall of Famers, their work ethic is incredible,” Rondo said.
It was a light-hearted event showing a side of the NBA players you don’t usually see. It even had a little fun, trash talking between LeBron and Kevin Durant.
“Oh I want to play flag football against Durant again it was fun,” James said laughing.
When I asked Durant about a rematch between him and LeBron in flag football he said to me, “yes I want a rematch, LeBron made up rules as we went along. He got that good ole home cookin. Next time we play in my back yard, maybe even at the Washington Redskins stadium.”
The two played a fun game of flag football during the NBA lockout with James’ team winning by 6.
Due to an illness Kobe Bryant was a no show during the media time.
The next event will be tonight at the Orlando Convention center when the Celebrity All-Star game will kick off at 7pm followed by the Rising Stars challenge at the Amway Arena, tip off for that will be 9pm.
