2011 NBA All-Star Weekend - Recap

Friday kicked off the big NBA All-Star weekend here in Los Angeles, with the BVAA All-Star Celebrity Basketball Game and The T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam.

The BVAA All-Star Celebrity Game, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, was an intimate battle between singers, actors, WNBA players, and other Hollywood personalities. The final score left the West with a lost (54-49), however, the Los Angeles crowd was still treated to some decent plays, and photo ops with their favorite celebrities. Neither team disappointed with their celeb roster as the crowd appeared excited every time Scottie Pippen, Common, Mitch Richmond, and Tamika Catchings, representing the East Coast, touched the ball. Representing the West Coast, included Justin Bieber, Trey Songz, Rob Kardashian, (Lil) Romeo, A.C. Green, Rick Fox, Jalen Rose, Nick Cannon, and Swin Cash. Perhaps surprising to some, Bieber actually came out to play, even crossing over Common, and executing a momentum shift assist to A.C Green.

Off the court action was also big, when the crowed spotted Jamie Foxx, Lamar Odom, and the Kardashians in the building. Although the West didn't win, Bieber got the MVP award, which helped ease the lost.

Later that night, was the The T-Mobile Rookie Challenge, held in the Staples Center. In attendance were thousands of students from the Los Angeles Unified School District who demonstrated academic and community service excellence throughout the year. Dressed alike in All-Star shirts, the kids keep the arena lively with their cheers, chants, and dancing, as musical group Cali Swag District, performed during halftime.

Hopefully, the crowd for Sunday's All-Star Game will be just as excited as the players last night did not disappoint with their slam dunks, and high flying assists. Playing for the Rookie team, included host-town favorite Blake Griffin (LAC), Eric Bledsoe (LAC), DeMacus Cousins (SAC), Gary Neal (SA), and John Wall (WSH). The Sophomore lineup included, Stephen Curry (GSW), Jrue Holiday (PHI), DeJuan Blair (SA),
DeMar DeRoxan (TOR), and James Harden (OKC).

Although there is no East Vs. West, in the Rookie Challenge Game, Blake's team won 148-140, which pleased the Los Angeles Unified School District students; who during the last minutes of the game chanted authoritatively for Blake's return, but to no avail. Blake ended the night with 14 points and 14 minutes of play. Blake put on a great show for the fans; however, the MVP of the night was John Wall, who had 12 points and 22 assists.

The game started out with high energy and ended high when teammates Wall and Wesley Johnson connected for a monster off the backboard dunk that helped pacify the crowd's plea for Blake's return. Welcome to L.A. Enjoy.