NBA ALL-STAR WEEKEND: LA gets READY FOR A SLAMMIN' JAMMIN PARTY WEEKEND!

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

By Randy Economy
www.Economy4ABC.Blogspot.com
February 18, 2011
2 A.M.

Los Angeles, CA

Got game? Downtown Los Angeles and the Staples Center is going to be the CENTER of the BASKETBALL universe this weekend as the 60th Annual NBA All Star Game rolls into town.

This is the hottest ticket in town. No, I don't have one, but this is my birthday weekend, so I guess anything in possible. Not probable. Just a slim change....

NBA All-Star Jam Session: February 17 – 20, 2011 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
NBA All-Star Celebrity Game: Friday, February 18, 2011 at center court in Jam Session, 7 p.m.
NBA All-Star Rookie Challenge: Friday, February 18, 2011 at the Staples Center, 9 p.m.
NBA All-Star Practice: Saturday morning, February 19, 2011 at center court in Jam Session, 1:30 p.m.
Image by miamism via FlickrNBA All-Star Saturday Night: Saturday, February 19, 2011 at the Staples Center, 8:30 p.m.
NBA All-Star Game: Sunday, February 20, 2011 at the Staples Center, 8 p.m. 

Anyway, I am EVERYTHING NBA ALL STAR WEEKEND here on my blog.

First the starting line ups. Impressive. No surprises here:

EAST		WEST
Derrick Rose		Chris Paul
Dwyane Wade		Kobe Bryant
Lebron James		Kevin Durant
Amar'e Stoudemire		Carmelo Anthony
Dwight Howard		Tim Duncan

East Reserves: Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, Chris Bosh, Al Horford and Joe Johnson.

Image via WikipediaWest Reserves: Pau Gasol, Dirk Nowitzki, Russell Westbrook, Manu Ginobili, Tim Duncan, Deron Williams, Kevin Love and Blake Griffin.
 
Slam Dunk Contest:

Forget about it.   This on is in the bag. Our very own Blake Griffin, from the Los Angeles Clippers headlines the 2011 All-Star Slam Dunk Contest.

 He will take on Serge Ibaka, JaVale McGee and DeMar DeRozan.

Shooting Stars:  Texas: Dirk Nowitzki, Roneeka Hodges and Kenny Smith. Los Angeles: Pau Gasol, Tina Thompson and Rick Fox.  Atlanta: Al Horford, Coco Miller and Steve Smith.  Chicago: Taj Gibson, Cathrine Kraayveld and Steve Kerr

Three Point Contest: 
This will be a treat to watch.  Contestants are Ray Allen of the Boston Celtics, Kevin Durant Oklahoma City Daniel Gibson or the Cleveland Cavaliers, James Jones from the Miami Heat, and Dorell Wright of the Golden State Warriors.

NBA ROOKIE CHALLENGE
ROOKIES vs. Second Year Players
ROOKIES TEAM--                                    SOPHOMORE TEAM--

Player	Team	Hgt.	Draft	Player	Team	Hgt.	Draft
Eric Bledsoe	L.A. Clippers	6-1	18th	DeJuan Blair	San Antonio	6-7	37th
DeMarcus Cousins	Sacramento	6-11	5th	DeMar DeRozan	Toronto	6-7	9th
Derrick Favors	New Jersey	6-10	3rd	Stephen Curry	Golden State	6-3	7th
Landry Fields	New York	6-7	39th	James Harden*	Oklahoma City	6-5	3rd
Blake Griffin	L.A. Clippers	6-10	1st	Taj Gibson	Chicago	6-9	26th
Wesley Johnson	Minnesota	6-7	4rt	Jrue Holiday	Philadelphia	6-4	17th
Greg Monroe	Detroit	6-11	7th	Serge Ibaka	Oklahoma City	6-10	24th
Gary Neal	San Antonio	6-4	Undrafted	Brandon Jennings	Milwaukee	6-1	10th
John Wall	Washington	6-4	1st	Wesley Matthews	Portland	6-5	Undrafted

SKILLS CONTEST
Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets; Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors; Derrick Rose, Chicago Bulls; John Wall, Washington Wizards; Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City Thunder.

 Also, plan on taking the Metro this entire weekend to Down Town LA.  Yep.  Parking is going to be off the hook expensive and way to many cars are expected.  Tons of fun will be at the Convention Center and at the new LA LIVE next to the Nokia. 

Forget about the Academy Awards NEXT WEEKEND!  The CENTER of the BASKETBALL WORLD has ARRIVED IN LA!