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The National Basketball Association (NBA) holds its All-Star Weekend each February in a predetermined location. The 2006 event was held in Houston, Texas, home of the NBA's Houston Rockets, from February 16-February 20, with the 55th Annual All-Star Game being held on February 19.
[edit] How All-Stars are Selected
The starting All-Stars (five in each conference) are selected by fan vote at each position: Point Guard, Shooting Guard, Center, Small Forward, Power Forward. Each team provides a nominee at each position on fan ballots, which are distributed at NBA games and online. As the events are underwritten by a series of sponsors that buy advertising and naming rights, some sponsors will also have ballots available at their locations.
Head coaches then vote for the reserve All-Stars (seven in each conference). Coaches determine the lineup of their home conference All-Star team only, and are not allowed to vote for their own players. If an All-Star is unable to play (due to injury or other reasons), his vacancy is filled by the NBA Commissioner.
The head coach whose team has the best record in its conference at the All-Star break is given the honor of coaching that conference's All-Star team.
For 2006:
- Fans were able to vote online, at NBA games, and at selected additional locations through January 22, 2006.
- All-Star Starting Lineups were announced on February 2, 2006.
- Head Coaches in each conference determined the remaining All-Stars, and those results were announced on February 9, 2006.
[edit] Events in All-Star Weekend
All-Star Weekend has a series of events that are open to the public. The cost of these events vary, but the hot ticket is obviously the actual All-Star Game which is the centerpiece of the festivities and has the most player star-power.
- Jam Session: An open-to-the-public fanfest in which basketball fans can participate in interactive games and meet NBA and WNBA players for autographs. Jam Sessions are available throughout the weekend.
- Rookie Challenge: A mid-season "All-Rookie" team plays a mid-season "All-Sophomore" team for bragging rights. Sponsored by T-Mobile for 2006.
- Three-Point Shootout: A contest of three-point shooting accuracy. Sponsored by Foot Locker for 2006.
- Skills Challenge: A competition for NBA guards in a variety of skills. Sponsored by Sony PlayStation for 2006.
- Shooting Stars: Current NBA and WNBA stars match up with NBA alumni in a shooting contest. Sponsored by RadioShack for 2006.
- Slam Dunk Contest: Players compete against each other for the most acrobatic slam dunk moves. Sponsored by Sprite for 2006.
- NBA All-Star Game: The big event. Players selected by fans face off in an Eastern vs. Western Conference format.
From 1984 to 1993, the All-Star Weekend also held an NBA Legends game between retired players. Like in All-Star Game there were two teams, East and West. These legends opened the Saturday program before the two contests. This game combined the excellent physique of some players (the youngest retired) with other legends that could barely run. The NBA cancelled the NBA Legends Game after 1994 due to the players' frequent injuries from the game.
Las Vegas, Nevada has been selected to host the 2007 All-Star Weekend. It is the first time the event will be held in a city that does not presently host an NBA team. However by the order of NBA commissioner David Stern, all Las Vegas casinos are ordered not to place any betting on the 2007 NBA All-Star events. New Orleans will host the 2008 NBA All-Star events.
[edit] 2006 NBA All-Star Weekend Schedule
- Thursday, February 16: Jam Session, 4-10 p.m.
- Friday, February 17: 2006 Rookie Challenge
- Friday, February 17: Jam Session, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Saturday, February 18: NBA All-Star Saturday
- Saturday, February 18: Jam Session, 9 a.m.-10 p.m.
- Sunday, February 19: 2006 All-Star Game, 7 p.m.
- Sunday, February 19: Jam Session, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
- Monday, February 20: Jam Session, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
All times (CST).
[edit] External links
