There might not be a more successful All-Star extravaganza than what the NBA puts on each year, and with the festivities in Los Angeles, it’s almost a lock it will be a success.
TNT has more than 19 hours of NBA All-Star programming Friday through Sunday. The best pregame team on TV — Ernie Johnson, Charles Barkley, Kenny Smith and Chris Webber — will be on hand all weekend to anchor TNT’s All-Star weekend coverage.
Things kick off Friday night at 9 p.m. with the Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam. Blake Griffin and John Wall will lead the rookie team against Stephen Curry, Brandon Jennings and the sophomore squad.
| It’s Miller time |
| » TNT analyst Reggie Miller and I spoke about a few extra topics, including his take on smaller market teams needing superstars to survive: “I was disappointed when LeBron [James] left [Cleveland] and went to Miami. But I can’t fault him because obviously this is America and people change jobs, occupations and locations all the time. But as a guy who was in a small market [Indiana Pacers] for 18 years, I just love when superstars play in a small market. I think overall that helps the brand. That’s why I hope Deron Williams [in Utah], Chris Paul stays in New Orleans and Kevin Durant stays in Oklahoma City. I hope these guys take a good long look in the mirror and understand that [leaving] could be the death of these smaller market teams.” |
Assistant coaches for the rookie team are All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire and NBA TV/TNT analyst Kevin McHale while Carmelo Anthony and TNT’s Steve Kerr will assist the sophomore team. Kerr and McHale — who will provide fans with insight from the bench — will be miked up during the game.
All-Star Saturday gets underway on TNT at 8:30 p.m. and features the Skills Challenge, 3-Point Contest and the NBA/WNBA Shooting Stars competition. But perhaps the most anticipated performance will be by Griffin as he competes in the Slam Dunk competition. Wizards center JaVale McGee also is in the competition.
“There’s one dark horse [in the Slam Dunk contest],” TNT analyst Reggie Miller said. “I like JaVale McGee. He’s an athletic center, and we all know that when it comes down to dunking — I think Dwight Howard started this trend — it’s your creativity and your presentation. It’s Blake’s to lose, but if there is a dark horse, it’s JaVale McGee. If he comes with a good presentation, anything is possible.”
Finally, the NBA All-Star Game begins Sunday night at 7 p.m. on TNT. Marv Albert will be courtside to call the action, and he’ll be joined by Kerr and Miller. Craig Sager will report from the sidelines.
Examiner columnist Jim Williams is a seven-time Emmy Award-winning TV producer, director and writer. Check out his blog, Watch this!
