Los Angeles, a city with a reputation for producing highly successful sequels, and STAPLES Center, considered one of the world’s best arenas for sports and entertainment, have been selected to host NBA All-Star 2011, marking the fifth time The City of Angels and the second time STAPLES Center will be the site of the annual celebration, NBA Commissioner David Stern announced at a press conference today in Los Angeles. AEG President and CEO Timothy J. Leiweke and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa joined Stern at the announcement.

The 60th NBA All-Star Game will be played on Sunday, February 20 at STAPLES Center which will also host the Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam and NBA All-Star Saturday Night. NBA All-Star Jam Session, the hugely successful interactive basketball celebration, will return to the Los Angeles Convention Center. Additionally, the NBA has the ability to activate the great hospitality and event spaces across the street from STAPLES Center within L.A. LIVE including the new Ritz-Carlton and JW Marriott hotels. Los Angeles becomes the first city to host five NBA All-Star Games.

“Its state-of-the-art facilities, passionate fans, and first-class hospitality and entertainment options make Los Angeles an ideal host for NBA All-Star,” said Commissioner Stern. “We thank the city and STAPLES Center for welcoming us once again.”

The 2010-11 season will mark the 27th year that Turner Sports will provide NBA All-Star coverage, and the ninth consecutive year the All-Star Game will be televised in primetime on TNT. The All-Star Game will be seen by a worldwide television audience in more than 200 countries and will be broadcast in more than 40 languages.

“L.A. LIVE was truly designed to be a home for great events like the NBA All-Star game,” said Leiweke, President & CEO AEG, owners of STAPLES Center and L.A. LIVE.  “We are fortunate that this will be the second All-Star weekend STAPLES Center will host in the last ten years and our ability to incorporate one of the best weekends in all of sports into our 100-acre campus is exactly what L.A. LIVE was created for.  We are privileged to be partners with the NBA and welcome them back to Los Angeles and L.A. LIVE.”

“There is no better place to host the action and drama of the NBA All-Star Game than the stage of so many award winning performances,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “On behalf of the City of Los Angeles, we look forward to welcoming NBA fans and players from across the country and around the globe to the entertainment capital of the world.”

STAPLES Center last played host to NBA All-Star in 2004, when the Los Angeles Lakers’ Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant combined for 44 points as the West edged the East 136-132. O’Neal earned MVP honors with 24 points and 11 rebounds. L.A. also hosted the All-Star Game in 1963, 1972 and 1983. The Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena hosted All-Star in 1963, while the Forum hosted the other ’72 and ’83 games. The 1972 classic saw the Lakers’ Jerry West thrill the hometown fans with a last-second jumper that gave the West a 112-110 victory and netted him MVP honors.

NBA All-Star competitions will get underway on Friday, Feb. 18, as the league’s top rookies and second-year players square off in the Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam. The following day’s festivities will feature an

all-inclusive skills showcase known as NBA All-Star Saturday Night, which is comprised of Haier Shooting Stars, a competition featuring NBA and WNBA players and NBA Legends; PlayStation® Skills Challenge, a contest of

top guards working against the clock to complete a series of passes, free throws, lay-ups and agility drills; the Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout, a long-standing staple of the evening; and the ever-entertaining Sprite Slam Dunk Contest.

During NBA All-Star 2011, the NBA will continue to celebrate its tradition and commitment to social responsibility with a schedule of NBA Cares events. NBA Cares will partner with schools, government, and local non-profit organizations in Los Angeles and surrounding areas to highlight the league’s grassroots and community initiatives that reach millions of young people and their parents while providing critical resources to community-based programs.

One of the event’s most popular attractions is NBA All-Star Jam Session, which will be held at the Los Angeles Convention Center. At Jam Session, fans can have the once-in-a-lifetime experience of participating in the NBA All-Star excitement, with the chance to meet and collect free autographs from NBA Players and Legends. Jam Session is nonstop basketball action, as fans can shoot, slam, dribble, and drive all day; compete against their friends in skills challenges; or get basketball tips from NBA Players and Legends. Young fans can hang out at Kids Zone – with hoops and interactive activities that are the perfect size for kids’ slam dunks, three-pointers, and jump shots. For fans who want NBA entertainment, Jam Session features the NBA’s favorite players, celebrities, mascots, and dance teams as they hit Center Court in a variety of basketball competitions, including the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game and the NBA All-Star Practice.

The South Florida Sun-Sentinel (Ira Winderman) reports: The personalized Band-Aid era is over. The slogan-bearing bandages Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade has been wearing beneath his previously injured left eye have been banned by the NBA. “We spoke to them,” NBA spokesman Tim Frank said today. “A player can wear a Band-Aid for healthcare purposes, but it shouldn’t have any name or identifications on it.” … “You can’t wear an identifiable Band-Aid,” Frank said. “We don’t expect it to be an issue, so there will be no need for a penalty.”

The Cleveland Plain Dealer (Mary Schmitt Boyer) reports on 2009 NBA All-Star weekend: Miami’s Dwyane Wade sported an interesting look as the assistant coach of the rookie team. He wore a yellow V-neck sweater under a blue sport coat, with a bow tie and glasses. Oh, and there was that blue “Wade” band-aid over some stitches he recently took under his left eye. “It was a combination of a lot of different things,” Wade explained of the outfit. “It was a tribute to one of my assistant coaches in Miami — Keith Askins. He wears a bow tie. So I told him during the season, ‘I’m going to show you how to wear it.’ “Also, I just wanted to try something new, being conservative. I brought the glasses because I was a coach so I thought I would look smart.”

Shaquille O’Neal was introduced at the 2009 NBA All-Star game along with the dance crew Jabbawockeez. And he made it special.

Coming out in the crew’s trademark white mask, Shaq danced as he was introduced and showed breakdance moves you wish you had. See the video below:

Nate Robinson beat Dwight Howard to win the 2009 NBA Slam dunk contest.

After the win, Nate talked about it. Here’s what he said.

Here’s what Boston Celtics shooting guard Ray Allen said at 2009 NBA All-Star weekend about his legacy and how important it is to win games that matter:

Ray Allen: (Winning) does take you over the hump.  People talk about great players in the league and you compare greatness with what you did on winning teams.  Did you ever win the big game? I remember for the longest time that discussion, and that discussion still takes place today with Charles Barkley and Patrick Ewing, two guys we feel are two of the best players in the history of the game. That’s the one negative that people always talk about.  Now I’m talking about it.  It does take you to that next level.  Then they start comparing you to other players that have won and are on that level caliber of player.

Indiana Pacers swingman Danny Granger is an All-Star, and has made his strides in improving his shooting ability. Here’s what he said Friday at NBA All-Star weekend:

Question: How did you improve on your jump shot? It’s clearly gotten better.

Danny Granger: I had surgery on my shoulder in my junior year and I started altering my jump shots to make them more efficient.  And my rookie year I changed them, just to fine‑tune, and it has been helping me.

Question: So you changed it twice in two years?

Danny Granger: Not dramatically.  I don’t know if anyone else would be able to really tell other than myself, but I actually did change it.

Question: What did you change the second time?

Danny Granger: A lot of times I was shooting the ball with all my fingertips.  Actually, I’m better shooting off my palm I found.  I’m much more accurate with it.

Here’s what Orlando Magic forward Rashard Lewis said Friday at 2009 NBA All-Star weekend.

Question: Talk about this experience, of being an All-Star.

Rashard Lewis: I didn’t expect to be here.  We knew Dwight would be here.  When the coaches vote, you never know what could happen.  There are a lot of guys not on the All‑Star Game that really, you know, have a chance on the All‑Star team.

Question: Talk about your role on Orlando and how it changed from your Seattle days.

Rashard Lewis: They got me playing the four now, pretty much banging with the bigger guys, trying to defend the bigger guys. It works.  We try to spread the floor with Dwight Howard in the middle.  You shoot a lot of three‑pointers.  It helps opening it up for him as well as it opens up for us.

Question: How is this season different from last?

Rashard Lewis: I think this year we gelled a lot more and we connected with the coaches and that’s why we have been successful.

Question: Does the All‑Star selection make it so now people can talk about you as one of the tops in the game?

Rashard Lewis: Hopefully. This is my second All‑Star team and I’m most definitely happy to be here.  But obviously fly under the radar a little bit.  It kind of keeps the fire burning in the NBA. It keeps me playing at the level because there is always something you have to go out there and prove.

Here’s what Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki said Friday at NBA All-Star weekend about the team’s season so far:

Question: When you look at the first part of the season, why has it been such a roller coaster, with five wins in a row, then five losses in a row?

Nowitzki:  Well, I think we just had to work and keep improving.  We had a new coach.  We tried to put a new system in that wasn’t really working the way we wanted.  We had stuff from both ends of the floor, offensively and defensively. I think once we got comfortable with that, we started to be a little more consistent. We didn’t lose that many games anymore.  It is all about a work in progress, getting all the players on the same page with the coach.  It has been better here the last two, three weeks.  We have beaten two, three teams.  In the Western Conference, it is so tight.  I think we are fifth or sixth now.  We are setting ourselves up for these last 30 games we got and hopefully make a great run at the playoffs. We were struggling and it was a little up and down, but the good thing is other teams were too.  If you look at New Orleans, lost some tough games.  Utah, Boozer has been out for a couple months.  They lost some games.  Phoenix is struggling. There are a lot of teams that are up and down a little bit. And I think that’s what helps us.  I still think we are in a great position to have a great playoff run.

Here’s what New Orleans Hornets power forward David West said Friday at 2009 NBA All-Star weekend:

Question: Talk about how special it is that both you and teammate Chris Paul are here as All-Stars.

David West: I think obviously it is a respect from the coaches around the league and how they regard you and what they feel you bring to the basketball floor. We know our teams prepare for us and we actually have the opportunity to ‑‑ as guys coming in from the other team talking about how they prepare for us. Especially someone like myself, this doesn’t persuade me one way or the other.  It is about the fact that I’m on the basketball court and dealing with that as such.

Question: Your first year in the league was kind of tough, especially with health issues. Now you’re a two-time All-Star. Talk about that.

David West: Obviously the keyword was “health.”  I was able to stay healthy.  Like I said, this is not something that I work toward.  One of the goals at the beginning of my year, sometimes I hear guys say it their goal is to be an All‑Star. That’s not something that I shoot for.  I have a goal at the beginning of the year just to be effective and healthy.  Those are the two goals I set.  I don’t set personal goals or anything like that. My whole theory coming into the NBA was showing people I could be effective and show people I could play the game, just be a role guy, sixth, seventh man off the bench.  I wanted to show people I could be effective.

Here’s what Miami Heat superstar Dwyane Wade said Friday at 2009 NBA All-Star weekend:

Question: Talk about the trade for Jermaine O’Neal and Jamario Moon.

Dwyane Wade:  It gives us some power down low which we need to compete.  Our main thing is we can get it together faster.  We just got to get everybody on the same page.  Hopefully we can get a breather during the All‑Star.  It is really under the radar for what he can do.

Question: What are your thoughts on Amar’e Stoudemire while you are here in Phoenix?

Dwyane Wade:  You hear he is one of the best in the game.  You never know if it is real or not.  Everyone’s name is eventually going to come up in a trade rumor.  That’s what happens.  I think the best thing is not to worry about it.  Just continue to do what you are doing.  If you go somewhere, embrace it.  If he doesn’t, try to stay here and lead your team to the playoffs?

Question: Talk about Shaquille O’Neal, what you think of him.

Dwyane Wade:  There will never be another him, his creativity.  We got a chance to see him in Miami for a couple years.  It was unbelievable.  Dwight Howard has that personality somewhat and he can bring it once he gets more comfortable in the star role.

Question: How does the dynamic of the team change with the trade, getting Jermaine O’Neal?

Dwyane Wade:  It gives us a presence down low.  Jermaine, he gives us what we have been missing in Alonzo Mourning as a shot blocker.  I think he is going to help us.  He is the push we have to make it to the end of the year.

Question: One thing the trade does is pull Beasley out of the trade rumors.  Are you glad he is sticking around?

Dwyane Wade:  Michael is a guy, as you can see, he is 14‑6 off the bench in limited minutes.  He proved last night going 9‑for‑10 on the road versus the Bulls, that he is very capable.  This will give him more opportunity to showcase his talent.  He is the future of our team. He is 20 years old with an unbelievable upside.  I think this will give him opportunity, more confidence to go and be the player we want him to be.

The Dallas Morning News (Eddie Sefko) reports (via blog): We were all reminded Saturday night of Gerald Green’s lasting legacy (so far). His cupcake blowout in the dunk contest two years ago was destined to be replayed on an annual basis whenever the dunk show is on display. Green has said he hopes to re-appear in the contest next year when it’s in Dallas. It remains to be seen if he gets an invite or not, but if he’s with the Mavericks, you can bet he’ll get strong consideration. Unfortunately for Green, that remains his claim to fame. Actually, one of his two claims to fame. Nothing he’s done on the court has gotten him as much claim as his dunk and the fact that he was part of the trade that brought Boston Kevin Garnett and laid the foundation for the Celtics’ championship last season.

The Boston Globe (Marc J. Spears) reports: Suns center Shaquille O’Neal is sentimental about playing in tonight’s All-Star Game since he knows it could be his last. “I’m soaking it in,” O’Neal said. “I’m getting real happy about knowing it’s all about to end. I remember when I was [young], I looked at people and said I wanted to do this. When it’s all said and done, I’ll be able to say I’m in the top five in scoring, not bad, the top 10 in blocks, not bad, four different teams, not bad, hell of a player, everybody liked him, not bad. I was able to accomplish more than I wanted to accomplish.” O’Neal will be reunited with Phil Jackson and Kobe Bryant on the West team tonight. They won three titles together with the Lakers, but after several verbal battles with Bryant, O’Neal was dealt to Miami in the summer of 2004. “To us, it’s really not that big of a story,” Bryant said. “I’m not revisiting that. It wasn’t a fun time for me, so I’m not about to revisit it.”

The Indianapolis Star (Jeff Rabjohns) reports: Several fellow All-Stars said they were not surprised Danny Granger has become an All-Star. Denver guard Chauncey Billups worked out with Granger in Las Vegas over the summer. “He’s stronger than people think. He’s long. He can score. He can shoot it from anywhere. He can post up and score. He puts it on the ground pretty good. He’s a difficult cover,” said Billups, the former Detroit Piston in his fourth All-Star game. The 6-9 Granger entered All-Star weekend sixth in the league in scoring, behind LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Kobe Bryant, Dirk Nowitzki and Kevin Durant. “Danny’s been doing it for a while now. We played against each other in college when he was at New Mexico, and now he developed a great confidence and his teammates have that confidence in him,” said New Orleans star and Wake Forest product Chris Paul. “Every night, you expect 30 from Danny, and that’s the way you become an All-Star.”

The NY Post (Marc Berman) reports:  Nate Robinson, who this week revealed he has an alter ego known as “KryptoNate,” will try to sap the powers of “Superman” tonight in the All-Star Weekend’s Slam Dunk competition. The 5-foot-7½ former Slam Dunk champ has been in hiding in Phoenix for most of the past two days, practicing a mysterious Kryptonite dunk he feels will take down Dwight Howard. The Magic’s 6-foot-11 “Man of Steel” is the reigning dunk champ who captured the world’s imagination by flying through the air like a bird, like a plane, jamming home a superhuman slam that overpowered his enemies… “It’s something new I just thought up,” said the popular Knicks guard, who already has put forth a superhero effort in winning the 2006 dunk title. “I did my homework. You have to see. I’m not giving out no secrets. I’m not telling nobody nothing. I just have a kryptonite dunk. That’s all I’ll say.”

The Rocky Mountain News (Chris Tomasson) reports (via blog) on the Nuggets point guard remembering not making the All-Star team in 2005, when the weekend was held in his hometown of Denver: The point guard the previous season had led Detroit to the NBA title was named Finals MVP. And Billups was in the midst of a season in which he would lead the Pistons back to the Finals. Nevertheless, he wasn’t chosen for the game at the Pepsi Center. “I came home and everything and I wasn’t going to go to the All-Star Game, man. ‘I can’t believe I’m not in it,”’ Billups said. “My wife (Piper) was like, ‘Don’t be like that. Still go.’ So I went and I sat there the whole time. I don’t think I said one word the whole time. I was sitting there like, ‘I can’t believe I’m not in this.’ That’s just another one of the pains that fuels my fire. Try to get in next year.”

The Indianapolis Star (Jeff Rabjohns) reports on what Julius “Dr. J” Erving said: “The more the slam dunk resembles the actions of the mascots, it seems the more the crowd loves it,” Erving said during All-Star weekend. “It seems about playing to the crowd. I guess if I was 26 and I were in it, I would do something that would play to the crowd. “I think that’s unfair that the slam dunkers, as talented as they are, have to resort to that to get favor from the judges or the crowd. “I’d rather see no props allowed; maybe a teammate because I think playing against opposition brings out the best dunks. I think my best dunks were when somebody was trying to block my shot. If you want props as far as resistance, OK. But chairs and ladders and trampolines? That’s turning it too much into a sideshow.”

The Salt Lake Tribune (Steve Luhm) reports: LeBron James showed up at Friday’s All-Star media availability session with a Steuben Glass crystal for each of his Eastern Conference teammates. I went on the company website and, by comparing what I saw at the media availability to some of the items for sale on-line, I’m guessing LeBron spent at least $10,000 for the gifts. Boston’s Paul Pierce seemed genuinely pleased about getting a present from the best player on the team that has the best chance of derailing the Celtics’ bid for a second straight title. “That’s what the All-Star break is all about,” Pierce said. “We’re all friends here. Then, we we break, we’re enemies again.”

The New Orleans Times-Picayune (John Reid) reports (via blog): As impressive as the dunk contest was in New Orleans, the league’s biggest stars continue to not participate. For the sixth consecutive year, Cleveland’s LeBron James will be a spectator instead of a participant. James said he has no interest in competing, which is the same response other stars such as Miami’s Dwyane Wade and Boston’s Kevin Garnett have given. Lakers star Kobe Bryant has not entered since winning in 1997. “It would take more hops,” said Wade, when asked Friday what it would take for him to enter. “That has to be first, along with more creativity. I can’t jump as high as those guys to do what they do. I’m a game dunker.” Hornets point guard Chris Paul said he would enter but only under one condition. “If they lowered the goal to about 8 feet,” Paul said.

Here’s what San Antonio Spurs superstars Tim Duncan said Friday in Phoenix at NBA All-Star Weekend about former teammate David Robinson.

Question: First of all, David Robinson.  One of the 16 finalists for the Basketball Hall of Fame, how do you feel about that?

Tim Duncan:  Easy decision.  I’m happy for him.  What he has been through over the years, his career, how he has touched people on and off the basketball courts, what he has done, just a great guy and glad that it’s done for on his first try.

Question: What has he meant to you in your career?

Tim Duncan:  Well, he has always been like a big brother to me, ever since day one walking in there, he has always been my big brother on the court, showing me how things are done off the court, just being there for me. So, as I said, just really excited for him.

Question: How about as far as him helping you develop your games, perhaps?

Tim Duncan:  I think more than anything he helped me develop my game by being there, by being next to me, taking the pressure off of me, allowing me to mature and become the player I could be on my own time instead of being forced in there in a situation where I’m the number one pick and have to be the man right off the back.  It was a great situation for me.