(Orlando FL) The 2012 NBA All-Star Weekend in Orlando FL was an event that almost didn't happen due to a league lockout at the beginning of the season causing 2 months of professional basketball inactivity, thus removing 16 games from the regular 82-game season. However, the dormant beginning did very little to diminish an action-filled weekend packing the Orange County Convention Center of central FL with multiple NBA veterans and star-rookies. The last time NBA All-Star was held in Orlando was 20 years ago when another 'Magic' -- Irwin 'Magic' Johnson -- played in his final, and arguably one of the NBA's most emotional, All-Star game marking the last time he would don a player's jersey in an NBA-sanctioned event.
Thursday (2/23/12): NBA players slowly making their way into Orlando
With the Knicks vs Miami, and Lakers vs Thunder taking place outside of Florida today, other NBA greats were beginning to trickle into the City Beautiful. Most of the All-Star Weekend events were to be held at the Orange County Convention Center; however, astute fans quickly learned that players were appearing throughout Orlando as well. On this date I was lucky to find Boston Celtic great, Paul Pierce, at the Florida Mall of all places.
With the Knicks vs Miami, and Lakers vs Thunder taking place outside of Florida today, other NBA greats were beginning to trickle into the City Beautiful. Most of the All-Star Weekend events were to be held at the Orange County Convention Center; however, astute fans quickly learned that players were appearing throughout Orlando as well. On this date I was lucky to find Boston Celtic great, Paul Pierce, at the Florida Mall of all places.
After seeing Paul Pierce, I went ahead and made my way over to Orange County Convention Center. Players could be found at specific 'booths' at certain times. If they weren't doing scheduled signings, players could be found leading mini workshops, or speaking on stage to the fans. I was able to track down Cleveland Cavaliers' phenom, Kyrie Irving. A few booths down, I also got some autographs from NBA legends George 'The Iceman' Gervin and Darryl 'Chocolate Thunder' Dawkins. A short while later I found a booth with Nick Anderson (Orlando Magic), Tamika Catchings (Indiana Fever), Sophia Young (San Antonio Silver Spurs), and Bo Outlaw (Orlando Magic). What an awesome first day!
Friday (2/24/13): BBVA Rising Stars Challenge
The BBVA Rising Stars Challenge is a competitive match-up of NBA Freshmen and Sophomores (still in their 1st 2 years of being in the league). Tonight, many eyes were watching the surprise rookie from the NY Knicks, Jeremy Lin, who emerged from the shadows and whose explosive popularity became known as 'Linsanity'.
My wife and I were able to attend the BBVA Rising Stars Practice session, which was between Team Chuck (Barkley) and Team Shaq (O'Neal). It was awesome to see Maurice Cheeks on the floor as a coach. This was a player I used to see my dad cheering for years ago as we would watch the Detroit PIstons on TV. At the practice, the crowd would erupt each time rookie sensation, Jeremy Lin, would touch the ball. At the end of the Challenge, it would turn out that Team Chuck would overtake Team Shaq, 144-136.
The BBVA Rising Stars Challenge is a competitive match-up of NBA Freshmen and Sophomores (still in their 1st 2 years of being in the league). Tonight, many eyes were watching the surprise rookie from the NY Knicks, Jeremy Lin, who emerged from the shadows and whose explosive popularity became known as 'Linsanity'.
My wife and I were able to attend the BBVA Rising Stars Practice session, which was between Team Chuck (Barkley) and Team Shaq (O'Neal). It was awesome to see Maurice Cheeks on the floor as a coach. This was a player I used to see my dad cheering for years ago as we would watch the Detroit PIstons on TV. At the practice, the crowd would erupt each time rookie sensation, Jeremy Lin, would touch the ball. At the end of the Challenge, it would turn out that Team Chuck would overtake Team Shaq, 144-136.
Saturday (2/25/12): NBA All-Star Practice
I opted to attend the Practice instead of the actual All-Star game, thinking that I could get closer to the players. It proved to be a good decision on my part as the Practice session wasn't terribly packed or security-heavy.
The All-Star Practice was amazing though. With much speculation over whether or not Dwight Howard would remain the star-center of our Orlando Magic, Howard was the local favorite for the All-Star Game. I couldn't believe though that I was seeing so many elite athletes on the floor at one time -- Kobe, Lebron, Durant, Rose -- and this was just to name a few!
I opted to attend the Practice instead of the actual All-Star game, thinking that I could get closer to the players. It proved to be a good decision on my part as the Practice session wasn't terribly packed or security-heavy.
The All-Star Practice was amazing though. With much speculation over whether or not Dwight Howard would remain the star-center of our Orlando Magic, Howard was the local favorite for the All-Star Game. I couldn't believe though that I was seeing so many elite athletes on the floor at one time -- Kobe, Lebron, Durant, Rose -- and this was just to name a few!
In Closing: There were some big names signing autographs throughout the weekend. Unfortunately for me, contractual obligations / endorsement agreements prevented many of the players from taking photographs with fans; however, here are some of the pics I had taken of some great ones from this memorable weekend!
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