All-Star Weekend Is Picking Up Steam
by DexterFishmore on Feb 18, 2011 3:00 PM PST
in All-Star Weekend 2011
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If an earthquake were to level downtown Los Angeles right now, there would be no more NBA. Everyone - players, coaches, broadcasters, purveyors of Internet snark like yours truly - is here in one place, wandering about and gladhanding in a crazy, half-organized milieu. The players are shuttling between official league meetings and media sessions. Coaches are just kind of making the rounds informally and chewing the fat. The media hordes - and believe me, hordes is the most accurately descriptive term - are hovering everywhere with cameras and microphones, trying to figure out who's worth talking to.
For a n00b such as myself, two things jump out. First is what an enormous freaking operation this is. The league has taken over a section of L.A. that probably spans a good 10 by 10 city blocks. A great deal of it is dedicated to back-office operations, with whole ballrooms taken up by, say, IT personnel or league security. Dozens of league employees do nothing but stand around and tell people where to go. Outside the L.A. Live complex, crews are putting up huge lighting rigs for the "magenta carpet" arrival special on Sunday. The logistical work that goes on behind the scenes is staggering in scope.
The second thing that jumps out is the sheer number of random basketball dudes you run into without even trying. You turn around and it's like, hey, there's Zach Randolph! There's Doc Rivers! James Worthy! David Robinson! And you very quickly get over being starstruck. Within three hours I went from being excited that Landry Fields was answering my questions, to having Rajon Rondo tap me on my shoulder because I was blocking his path as he was navigating a tight room, to standing in a crowded hallway with Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki and Pau Gasol all within eight feet and actually thinking to myself, "Damn, Dirk... get out of my way. I gotta hit the men's room."
A few other notes and observations from the early Friday action, such as it's been:
- The rookies and sophomores each had open practices this morning. I missed the sophomores, but here's John Wall looking on as Derrick Favors takes a jumpshot.
- I got a chance to chat with Chris Webber a bit. I asked him some questions about his time at Michigan as part of the Fab Five, a subject that seemed near and dear to his heart. He told me, in fact, that he's writing a book about the Fab Five. Seemed like a cool dude. And no, I didn't ask him about the timeout.
- The All-Stars did sit-down photoshoots. I wandered up to Dwyane Wade and took this picture.
- I also happened to be standing next to Amare Stoudemire as he was changing into a jersey for his photo session. The dude is incredibly ripped. Not as ripped as me, but very ripped.
- Gheorge Muresan is here for some reason. I saw him chatting up Bill Walton and Kevin McHale in the hotel lobby. It's weird to see someone towering over Bill Walton.
- I spotted the Shawfather and tried to interview him, but he was busy talking to Tyronn Lue. Yes, even Tyronn Lue is here. And he outranks me in the social hierarchy.
- This is Pau chilling.
I'll have more for you later today. The most interesting event could be a press conference scheduled for 5:15, at which Derek Fisher and Billy Hunter will address the media about the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations. I'll also have some stuff up over at SBN Los Angeles, so stay tuned.
Follow Dex on Twitter @dexterfishmore.
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Damn, Dex, this is so awesome!
2010 was a kick ass year. - Kobe Bryant
Success is a lousy teacher. It seduces smart people into thinking they can't lose. - Bill Gates
Tweetness: @SoCalGal64
...WOW
Just… incredible.
"If you have a debate with a scholar, you can win. If you have a debate with an ignorant person, you will definitely lose."
"I'm a perfectionist who's not perfect." - Ron Artest
8 + 24 > 23 + 6
Media access FTW
To secure ourselves against defeat lies in our own hands, but the opportunity of defeating the enemy is provided by the enemy himself.
So jealous
These things happened. They were glorious and they changed the world... and then we fucked up the end game. - Charlie Wilson
TRADE KOBY FOR LUTHER HEAD!!!! (it's a movement)
this
"When I dunk, I put something on it. I want the ball to hit the floor before I do."
-Darryl Dawkins
by njzfinest5013 on Feb 18, 2011 3:25 PM PST up reply actions
"the fate of western civilization is at stake here" - bill walton
anyone watching this celebrity game?
Me, lol
The Biebzzz
"If it wasn’t for In-and-Out burger, I probably would have gone to Memphis or something." – Ron Artest
ESPN
online espn3 too I think
"Phil Jackson seems to enjoy his status as 'NBA grand philosopher' and uses that platform to lob verbal hand grenades into other franchises or the league offices for fun." - Kurt Helin
Stalk, err, Follow me on Twitter: @bluefalcon916
ESPN
Biebs actually has an OK handle, lmao
"If it wasn’t for In-and-Out burger, I probably would have gone to Memphis or something." – Ron Artest
yea lol
"Phil Jackson seems to enjoy his status as 'NBA grand philosopher' and uses that platform to lob verbal hand grenades into other franchises or the league offices for fun." - Kurt Helin
Stalk, err, Follow me on Twitter: @bluefalcon916
bieber for the 3
"Phil Jackson seems to enjoy his status as 'NBA grand philosopher' and uses that platform to lob verbal hand grenades into other franchises or the league offices for fun." - Kurt Helin
Stalk, err, Follow me on Twitter: @bluefalcon916
BYNUM FOR BIEBER
DO IT MITCH!!!!!!
"If it wasn’t for In-and-Out burger, I probably would have gone to Memphis or something." – Ron Artest
#6 on the West
"If it wasn’t for In-and-Out burger, I probably would have gone to Memphis or something." – Ron Artest
yea
I am
"Phil Jackson seems to enjoy his status as 'NBA grand philosopher' and uses that platform to lob verbal hand grenades into other franchises or the league offices for fun." - Kurt Helin
Stalk, err, Follow me on Twitter: @bluefalcon916
wow thats awesome I'm jealous
My favorite line.
I also happened to be standing next to Amare Stoudemire as he was changing into a jersey for his photo session. The dude is incredibly ripped. Not as ripped as me, but very ripped.
"I'll do whatever it takes to win games, whether it's sitting on a bench waving a towel, handing a cup of water to a teammate, or hitting the game-winning shot."- Kobe Bryant
Thanks for the memories Andy
Epic shit!!!!
I don’t have a problem saying, ‘Your franchise player sucks.’ - Ron Artest
by _logan_ on Feb 18, 2011 4:30 PM PST via mobile reply actions
and yes
I am also jealous, but they picked the best guy for the job
"Phil Jackson seems to enjoy his status as 'NBA grand philosopher' and uses that platform to lob verbal hand grenades into other franchises or the league offices for fun." - Kurt Helin
Stalk, err, Follow me on Twitter: @bluefalcon916
lmao
that green screen bit was so awkward
"Phil Jackson seems to enjoy his status as 'NBA grand philosopher' and uses that platform to lob verbal hand grenades into other franchises or the league offices for fun." - Kurt Helin
Stalk, err, Follow me on Twitter: @bluefalcon916
anyone have a feed to watch the celeb game? or espn?
"If you’re afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail. You know what I mean? Fuck it." -- Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant
its on ESPN and here:
http://espn.go.com/espn3/player?id=131193&league=NBA
"I got my caveman club," -- THE BLACK MAMBA
the page isnt loading up
"If you’re afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail. You know what I mean? Fuck it." -- Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant
the page keeps refreshing and isnt loading for me..it's like spasin out lol
but thanks
"If you’re afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail. You know what I mean? Fuck it." -- Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant
ok this works thank you so much
"If you’re afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail. You know what I mean? Fuck it." -- Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant
alrite its up
http://www.silverscreenandroll.com/2011/2/18/2002137/all-star-celeb-game-live-thread
"I got my caveman club," -- THE BLACK MAMBA
Awesome Dex...
Did Clark go with you?
To a certain sportsguy: shouldn’t the fact that our best player, and the only superstar in this championship series, shot just 6-24, AND YOU STILL LOST, be a testament to the overall ability and greatness of our team, rather than a negative to that certain player? If anything it says a little something more about your team. We beat you even though our best scorer only made 6 shots? Ouch. That’s almost as painful as Tom Brady’s Justin Bieber haircut.
-Rory Stillman
haha jus saw tmobile girl
"If you’re afraid to fail, then you’re probably going to fail. You know what I mean? Fuck it." -- Kobe "Black Mamba" Bryant
holy crap
"What doesn't kill you might injure you, or just kill you later." -Czheck Proverb
"Pluto’s not even a planet no more, which I’m very disturbed about. I grew up when Pluto was a planet. Now, I’m 25, I turn around and Pluto’s no longer a planet. I’m going to elbow that guy in the nose." -Ron Artest
Dex in the house
wish I was there
"Hardwork beats talent when talent fails to work hard"-Norm Nixon
There are basic Fundamentals that are needed to move forward in this game. Always keep your guard up at all times to avoid being caught in a trap. Overcome the fouls that will be committed against you REBOUND AND PRESS ON. ADJUST to the Limelight: ALL-STAR PLAYERS ARE ALWAYS THE CENTER OF ATTENTION. Know what your role is and play your position. Find a game plan and execute it. REMEMBER YOU ONLY GET OUT OF THE GAME WHAT YOU PUT INTO IT.
this is awesome!
Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil.
C. S. Lewis
We need to change to grow, but let us not grow weary in our pursuit to change...
Nice to see Pau chillin' in street clothes instead of on defense.
This write up and not having to deal with the stress of watching the Lakers play for a while, makes for a great weekend.
"Winning takes talent; to repeat takes character." - John Wooden
Fab 5
One of my all-time favorite teams. Iconic.
Follow me on Twitter: @wondahbap
"open your eyes and brain then see in next five years from now will see what happen okay." - Nam Pham
damn we have fallen low
A 26-game losing streak and the role as NBA laughingstock (although they did beat the Lakers…something anyone can do these days apparently)
Worst job in NBA: guarding Kobe
anon
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