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ATLANTA -- Aside from the celebration being too short and my own personal difficulties getting air time on SportsCenter, this year's festivities were simply the grandest ever -- with ultimate thanks to the incredible level of hospitality by the people from Atlanta.
Normally, I'm a rocker and fortunately I got to spend what little time I had with Meat Loaf. But I was more than privileged to hang with my newest best friends, Nelly, LL Cool J and 50 Cent.
Events, stories, drama, ideas, suggestions, proposals -- it's what we all live for.
|  | | Will Tim Duncan really join forces with Jason Kidd ... in L.A. ... as a Clipper? |
The best I heard all weekend just keeps reverberating like echoes through my mind -- and it has to do with the trading deadline, free agency, marquee players and the league's future. Everyone was constantly talking Jason Kidd and Tim Duncan. The word is that the Clippers, with basically their whole current roster as free agents, are going to renounce all of them. With the resultant huge cap space, Mr. Sterling would then sign both Kidd and Duncan, then ask them what other superstar they would like him to buy. Once that third franchise-level player was signed (a mere formality) this new SUPER TEAM would then come in to Staples and displace the Lakers as the NBA's most dominant team. There are still a limited number of season ticket, sponsorship and local TV packages available.
My two favorite parts of All-Star Weekend, besides getting on SportsCenter, are the Technology Summit held all day Friday and the Legends Luncheon on Sunday.
Mark Cuban and his passionate pursuit of HDTV and all future endeavors for the league highlighted the Tech Summit this year. Why isn't he on EVERY panel?
Connecticut Senator Christopher Dodd unveiled impressive pleas for expanding opportunities in the field of education coupled with a challenge to all of us concerning our world's priorities.
Finally, the international developments, China and the impact of Yao Ming were discussed. The tales woven by Dr. Charles Zhang, the founder/owner of Sohu.com (the Chinese equivalent of Yahoo.com), were spellbinding. Why do the best discussions always end prematurely?
The action at the NBA Jam Session sizzled late Friday -- particularly the riveting HORSE/NBA showdown between Magic Johnson and Isiah Thomas. I had not witnessed anything so compelling since the pay-per-view Kareem/Dr. J one-on-one epic confrontation from Atlantic City years ago.
I was enthralled with the Celebrity Game last Friday, particularly the coaching by Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith. I was stunned to discover later on ESPN.com that Dan Patrick was an assistant coach in that game. Although I did notice some nerdy looking guy sitting a couple seats down from Charles who kept hitting on this babe who appeared to be with Charles.
By Saturday, the pace of the weekend reached its usual warp speed. Atlanta easily broke that difficult barrier and did so very early.
Saturday morning started with the "Read to Achieve" celebration where Christina Aguilera belted out her heartwarming ballad, "Beautiful." Justin Timberlake later sang and danced, whipping the raucous crowd of youngsters into a frenzy. The decibel volume of those fans easily rivaled that of a Stones concert. (Would any of this program's efforts be realized without Bob Lanier's tireless contributions to literacy?)
There is really nothing in the basketball world that can compare with the All-Star practices. I especially like the implementation of the new plays. The players' rapt attention was awe-inspiring.
In between the constant infighting for more face time on SportsCenter, I was fortunate to squeeze in a brief appearance at the NBA Retired Players Association Board Meeting. The new blood for the decade-old advocacy group is doing wonders to help executive director Mel Davis achieve his dreams. Recently elected board members Bill Russell, Buck Williams, Junior Bridgeman, Len Elmore, Rick Barry, Jack Marin and Spencer Haywood are making all the difference in the world. David Stern's electrifying speech put the extremely productive session over the top.
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We won in spite of my poor decisions and bad habits that I gleaned from Dan Patrick the night before. |
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Then the Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA All-Star Game was played on the main court at Philips Arena. I coached the National Team against the local Atlanta Select Team. We won in spite of my poor decisions and bad habits that I gleaned from Dan Patrick the night before. Kendall, Jordan, Bryce, Robbie, Darius, Bethany, Kristy, Fatima, Kiki, Lexy and Mary sure made my job fun and easy. I did have to constantly remind myself, though, that the dream of the Junior's program includes accepting the refs' calls.
The Rookie Challenge was next. I am so glad they did away with the Legends Game. The injuries were just too much.
The game itself, despite the brilliant play of Amare Stoudemire, Carlos Boozer, Jay Williams and Drew Gooden for the newcomers and Gilbert Arenas (MVP), Jason Richardson, Richard Jefferson and Pau Gasol, was overshadowed by Marv Albert as an assistant to winning sophomore coach Mike Fratello. To see Marv on the bench charting deflections will go down, not only as the defining moment of this All-Star Weekend, but as a turning point in the historical evolution of the game of basketball. We can only hope that Dan Patrick was taking copious notes instead of gazing at the delightful sights in the stands.
The Skills Challenge was my favorite competitive event athough I do miss 2ball so. I was more than a bit dismayed when I heard the fans booing the refs on this one.
In the 3-point Shootout, Peja Stojakovic showed that style, form, quick/effortless release, poise under pressure and body type should never be discounted. The Slam Dunk Contest proved once again that you can't win the big stuff by getting conservative and backing in to anything.
Sunday is traditionally the calm before the storm. It has come to be dominated by the late night game and the Legends Lunch hosted by David Stern. The local flavor is always highlighted here and the glorious history of the host Hawks never looked so good: Bob Pettit, Dominique Wilkins, Lou Hudson, the memories of Pistol Pete, the '58 championship team, the endless special moments and people. Particularly pleasing was the recognition of the deceased Don Barksdale, a UCLA man who became the first African-American All-Star in NBA history. (Who says sports can't change the world?) All the while, the omnipresent question: Will 'Nique become the next coach of this now troubled franchise when the inevitable regime change comes. People are scrambling to line up on the winning side.
And then the game:
Michael in the starting lineup. Thank you Vince.
Allen Iverson -- brilliant early and late, ignored in the middle, begging the question what it would be like for him on a really great team.
Tracy McGrady -- making a strong case that he is the best player in the world.
Shaquille O'Neal -- having more fun than anyone can remember. He looks great and that is not good news for the rest of the league's championship aspirations.
Jordan's apparent game-winner at the end of OT, the MVP his, the storybook ending foiled by his own teammate's mental mistake.
Kobe had no other choice but to make the free throws.
And in the end, Kevin Garnett -- the prototypical All-Star, surrealistic in his play, dizzy with finally realized dreams and expectations. Tireless, flawless, unparalleled. KG -- the greatest player in the world and who could argue on this most perfect day.
|  | | All eyes were on Michael Jordan, except when Mariah Carey sang at halftime. |
But who was that girl that kept singing at halftime taking airtime away from Michael Jordan?
A day, a long weekend, that should never end and must definitely be expanded.
At the presentation of the MVP award, David Stern wrapped it all up with a nice, neat bow -- with the big picture, the joy, hope and optimism that he always stands for. He's the tireless worker making endless appearances to ensure that everything comes out just right and that everybody has the time of their life at his party. We can only hope that David took his bride straight to the Caribbean for a well-deserved vacation.
On the way out of Philips Arena, worn down and out, searching for a cab in the rain and endless traffic, I was rescued by a shepard in the night, Craig Sager, who escorted me into an oasis, Jocks and Jills, his sports bar and grill.
Our dreams came true again this past weekend. Endless thanks agains, Vince, for doing the right thing. Sadly there are only four months left of this season.
Excuse me, I must go. I have a pop on the 3 a.m. SportsCenter.
Bill Walton, who is an NBA analyst for ESPN, is a regular contributor to ESPN.com.
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