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The Low-Down on The NBA All-Star 2017
It’s going to be an action-packed weekend!
NBA All-Star 2017 in New Orleans will bring together some of the most talented and passionate players in the league’s history for a global celebration of the game. This will mark the third time that the “Crescent City” has been the site of the NBA’s midseason showcase, having previously hosted the event in 2008 and 2014.
NBA All-Star will feature a packed schedule on and off the court, culminating with the 66th NBA All-Star Game, which will be played on Sunday, Feb. 19 at Smoothie King Center—home of the New Orleans Pelicans. Here is a closer look at what to expect:
Friday, Feb. 17—Rising Stars Challenge
For the third consecutive year, the league’s annual showcase of premier young talent will pit first- and second-year NBA players from the United States against first- and second-year NBA players from around the world. The U.S. Team will be headlined by 2015-16 NBA Rookie of the Year Karl-Anthony Towns of the Minnesota Timberwolves and budding star guard Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns. The World Team will be anchored by rookie sensation Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers and blossoming big man Kristaps Porzingis of the New York Knicks.
Friday, Feb.17 - NBA All-Star Celebrity Game
Actors, musicians and former NBA greats will come together for the annual NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. Last year, Grammy Award-winning artist and Toronto Raptors Global Ambassador Drake and four-time NBA All-Star Celebrity Game MVP and actor Kevin Hart served as coaches for the game in Toronto.
Saturdays, Feb. 18 - All-Star Saturday Night
Current NBA players will showcase their unique abilities in several competitions during All-Star Saturday Night. The schedule includes the Slam Dunk Contest, which last year featured a thrilling duel between winner Zach LaVine of Minnesota and runner-up Aaron Gordon of the Orlando Magic; the Three-Point Contest, won most recently by the Golden State Warriors’ Splash Brothers (Stephen Curry in 2015 and Klay Thompson in 2016); and the Skills Challenge, which saw 7-footer Karl-Anthony Towns prevail last year in the obstacle-course competition involving dribbling, passing and shooting.
Sunday, Feb. 19 - NBA All-Star Game
The 66th NBA All-Star Game will feature 12 top players from the Eastern Conference against 12 top players from the Western Conference. For the first time ever, NBA players and basketball media joined fans in selecting the 10 starters for the All-Star Game. Among the players selected to start are all-time All-Star Game scoring leader LeBron James and Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Stephen Curry and Kevin Durant of Golden State and first-time All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks. The reserves, as selected by the NBA’s 30 head coaches, include two-time reigning All-Star Game MVP Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder and first-time All-Stars DeAndre Jordan of the LA Clippers, Gordon Hayward of the Utah Jazz and Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets.
Saturday, Feb. 18 - NBA Development League
The NBA’s official minor league will have a full schedule of events, highlighted by the 11th annual NBA D-League All-Star Game, which will feature 24 top prospects. Like the NBA, the NBA D-League will also have a Slam Dunk Contest and Three-Point Contest. Last year, current Chinese Basketball Association standout Jimmer Fredette won the MVP award at the NBA D-League All-Star Game.
All Weekend - Entertainment
Exciting musical performances will be part of the lineup for All-Star Saturday Night as well as during pregame introductions and halftime of the All-Star Game. Ten-time Grammy Award-winning recording artist John Legend will headline the All-Star Game halftime show, while hip-hop group The Roots will perform before the game.
All Weekend - Social Responsibility
The NBA will continue to honor its commitment to social responsibility during All-Star 2017 with a full schedule of NBA Cares and Jr. NBA events in and around New Orleans throughout the week. By working with local schools, government agencies and nonprofits, the NBA will engage thousands of children and families and provide important resources to community-based programs.
*Please note All-Star 2017 schedule is based on Pacific Standard Time
Source NBA
Photos Wikipedia, HNGN,
Rantsports.com and
Behindthebuckpass.com
