The NBA All-Star Game may not be as huge as the Super Bowl but it’s a big event on the American sports calendar. All of its major players will be on display this weekend in Orlando, Florida on TNT.
Two of the names on the tips of many tongues are Dwight Howard and Jeremy Lin. Howard is the hometown favourite as a member of the Orlando Magic and the leading vote-getter. With trade rumours swirling around the big man, it might be the final time he represents the Magic in the mid-season classic.
Lin is the overnight sensation whose hype and sudden stardom mirrors that of Tim Tebow. The New York Knicks guard has turned around his franchise while having the best statistical start to a career in NBA history. He will star in the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge on Friday, 24 February, at 9pm. The exhibition game showcases the league’s best rookie and sophomore players including Blake Griffin. Howard is the starting centre for the Eastern Conference in the actual All-Star Game on Sunday, 26 February, at 9.30pm.
Aside from Howard and Lin, the usual superstars will grace the spectacle. Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers is making his 14th consecutive appearance while LeBron James of the Miami Heat is in his eighth showcase. Kobe’s team-mate Andrew Bynum, Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers and Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder are the other West starters who will do battle with Howard, LeBron, LeBron’s team-mate Dwyane Wade, Derrick Rose of the Chicago Bulls and Carmelo Anthony of the Knicks.
Not to be forgotten are the various competitions on Saturday, 25 February, starting at 8.30pm. The Haier Shooting Stars, Taco Bell Skills Challenge, Foot Locker Three-Point Contest and Sprite Slam Dunk contest all make for great TV.
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