The Washington Post (Michael Lee) reports on 2009 NBA All-Star weekend: An inability to assemble private sponsors has led to the cancellation of some of the more popular parties, such as Zo & Magic’s Eight Ball Challenge, a celebrity-infused pool tournament that usually kicks off the weekend, and an ESPN bowling event. The Jordan Brand shoe company, which held a red-carpet party last year in New Orleans, elected to have a private dinner instead. And the NBA Players Association All-Star Gala, a lavish, invitation-only event considered the premier party of the weekend, plans to rely more on music from a disc jockey after having live performances by comedian Cedric the Entertainer, rappers T.I. and Snoop Dogg, and R&B singer Mary J. Blige in recent years. “I think the people that are coming to Phoenix are going to enjoy All-Star Weekend a great deal,” said Los Angeles Lakers guard Derek Fisher, president of the players’ union. “At the same time, a lot of our sponsors, a lot of our players and the league overall are very aware of what the people in our country are going through. I think you’ll see a little bit of a subdued feel with over-the-top parties, and guys doing a lot of different things individually.”
Category: NBA All-Star blog
NBA All-Star blog
Deron Williams: Still not an All-Star
The Deseret News (Brad Rock) reports: The Jazz enter another All-Star break, today, happy to rest their aching bones. For guard Deron Williams, among others, it’s a much-needed respite from the grappling and shouldering that occurs on an everyday basis. Not that he’s glad about being sidelined. Actually, he’s ticked. At least he played that way in Wednesday night’s 113-109 win over the Lakers. Now in his fourth season, things haven’t gone according to plan. He’s still not an All-Star. First year, he rode the bench in the early season. No chance there. But the second, third and fourth years he didn’t get selected, either… In the last five games he scored 35, 34, 34, 31 and 31 points. So he didn’t leave quietly. The All-Star voters can just wonder what they’ve done while checking out Wednesday night’s box score.
Mo Williams replaces Jameer Nelson in Skills Challenge
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mo Williams has been selected to replace injured Orlando Magic guard Jameer Nelson (torn right labrum ) in the 2009 Playstation® Skills Challenge to be held on Saturday, Feb. 14 at US Airways Center in Phoenix.
The PlayStation® Skills Challenge will be televised live nationally as part of the NBA All-Star Saturday Night, which will also feature the Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout, Sprite Slam Dunk and Haier Shooting Stars. TNT and ESPN Radio’s national coverage will begin at 8 p.m. EST from US Airways Center. The NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 15, will air live on TNT, ESPN Radio and in more than 215 countries and territories in 44 languages.
No Charles Barkley in Phoenix All-Star
The East Valley Tribune (with wire reports) reports: Charles Barkley will sit out TNT’s coverage of All-Star weekend in Phoenix after his arrest in Scottsdale on suspicion of drunken driving. Barkley was expected to return to the air sometime in the second half of the season. Barkley took a leave of absence from his TV responsibilities last month, the day tests showed that his blood-alcohol level was at .149, nearly twice the legal limit of .08 in Arizona.
Mo Williams replaces Chris Bosh in All-Star game
Cleveland Cavaliers guard Mo Williams has been named by NBA Commissioner David Stern to replace injured East All-Star forward Chris Bosh (sprained right knee) of the Toronto Raptors in the 2009 NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix.
Williams will be making his first All-Star appearance.
JR Smith replaces Rudy Gay in dunk contest
Denver Nuggets G J.R. Smith has been chosen to replace the injured Rudy Gay of the Memphis Grizzlies in the 2009 Sprite Slam Dunk Contest at NBA All-Star Weekend in Phoenix, Ariz. on Feb. 14, the league announced today.
Smith, in his third season with Denver, is averaging career-highs of 13.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg and 2.7 apg in a career-best 27.7 minutes per contest through 50 games this season.
The Nuggets’ high-flyer will be making his second appearance in the annual Slam Dunk Contest. As a member of the New Orleans Hornets, he finished third in the 2005 Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk Contest at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colo. Smith will become the fifth Nuggets player to appear in an official NBA Slam Dunk Contest, joining Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf (sixth place in 1993), Robert Pack (second in 1994), Darvin Ham (fourth in 1997) and Chris Andersen (third in 2004).
Cavs make words up to describe Mo Williams snub
Cleveland Cavaliers point guard Mo Williams is having an excellent season for his 39-win, 9-loss team, but wasn’t picked by coaches as a reserve for the East All-Star team. Then, Jameer Nelson, who was selected, suffered an injury, though Mo Williams again wasn’t named, with the spot instead going to Boston Celtics shooting guard Ray Allen.
The AP reports:
The Cavs found the second rejection of Williams so absurd that they’re making up words to describe their feelings. “Ben Wallace was right when he called Mo originally being passed over for the all-star game a shamockery,” Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert said in a tongue-in-cheek e-mail to the Associated Press on Friday. “But not naming him as the natural and obvious replacement for the unfortunately injured Jameer Nelson is stupidiculous, idillogical and preposterageous.” Cleveland will be represented by James, who was selected in fan voting, and by coach Mike Brown and his assistants, who will coach the East squad.
If passing on Mo Williams instead of selecting him means the Cavs are going to continue making up fun words, then I’m all in favor of it.
Ray Allen replaces Jameer Nelson in All-Star game
Boston Celtics guard Ray Allen has been named by NBA Commissioner David Stern to replace injured East All-Star guard Jameer Nelson (torn labrum, right shoulder) of the Orlando Magic in the 2009 NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix. Allen will be making his ninth All-Star appearance.
The NBA All-Star Game will air live on TNT, ESPN Radio and in 215 countries and territories, and in 44 languages worldwide at 8 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 15.
Read basketball fan reaction and discuss your own opinion in this forum topic.
2009 All-Star Skills Challenge participants
A new PlayStation Skills Challenge champion will be crowned as the New Jersey Nets’ Devin Harris, the Orlando Magic’s Jameer Nelson, the San Antonio Spurs’ Tony Parker and the Chicago Bulls’ Derrick Rose will take the floor on Feb. 14, as part of NBA All-Star Saturday Night at US Airways Center in Phoenix.
My initial prediction is that Jameer Nelson will win it.
Why? Because he has the most to prove.
This is the season that Nelson put himself on the map. He has faced years of doubt and was often considered to be more suitable as a backup than a starter.
Devin Harris is having a breakout season too. But he hasn’t faced years orf criticism and doubt like Nelson has.
Rose and Parker can win it, too. If they want.
Anyone can take it. But even though it’s a minor event I bet Nelson wants it the most.
NBA All-Star parties hit by economy
The Boston Globe (Marc Spears) reports: Because of the trying economy, All-Star weekend isn’t expected to include as many lavish parties as in the past. Among those canceled is ESPN’s bowling party, Zo & Magic’s 8-Ball Challenge, and the Nike party. TNT analyst Kenny Smith’s annual charity party Feb. 13 will still take place, but on a smaller scale. The NBA Players Association Gala, considered the weekend’s top party since all the players stop by, will rely more on DJ music than live acts, end an hour earlier than normal, and have fewer invitees. At the event, the Players Association will present Dwyane Wade, Steve Nash, and Adonal Foyle with community contribution awards.