Thursday 12 February 2015 12:40, UK
New York City hasn’t had much to celebrate in basketball in recent times so the All-Star Weekend extravaganza will come as a welcome reprieve.
The struggles of the New York Knicks and Brooklyn Nets can be briefly shelved as the city’s teams co-host the annual showpiece featuring the NBA’s biggest names.
The injured Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade and Blake Griffin may be conspicuous by their absence but the All-Star Game that concludes a weekend of thrills and spills retains star power.
Top talents
The ultimate game of fantasy basketball in the Big Apple’s Madison Square Garden will feature LeBron James representing the Eastern Conference.
James, regarded as his generation’s top player, will be supplemented by the Knicks’ standout Carmelo Anthony who should have the crowd’s support in his home arena.
The opening tip-off will, for the first time, see the fascinating prospect of brothers contesting the ball.
Chicago Bulls’ Pau Gasol and his younger brother Marc, a star for the Memphis Grizzlies, are two of the NBA’s top foreign imports and will play for the East and West, respectively.
Stephen Curry, Kevin Durant and James Harden will lead the Western Conference’s finest to MSG for the Sunday night exhibition.
Fun and games
The Knicks may host the All-Star Game but the Nets’ Barclays Center is the home of the glitz, glamour and show-business that this weekend has become synonymous with.
For the first time basketball’s greats will take part in a fashion show to demonstrate their office, night out and match-day style.
Comedian Kevin Hart will return once more for the All-Star Celebrity match having twice been named MVP of the event.
The Rising Stars Challenge previews the aspiring generation of talent while the Skills Challenge is an obstacle-course that tests dribbling, passing, agility and shooting skills.
Highlights
But the sport’s top stars will take part is some serious business, too.
The Slam Dunk contest, a highlight reel speciality, returns to its roots allowing players three attempts at showing off their skills with no time limit.
The Three-Point Challenge will feature Kyle Korver, Curry, Harden and defending champion Marco Belinelli but the Shooting Stars might turn the most heads.
Team Bosh, Team Curry, Team Davis and Team Westbrook will include the named NBA player plus a WNBA player and a retired legend. Curry teams with his father Del while Westbrook is with 90s legend Penny Hardaway.
