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Sunday, February 15, 2009
All-Star Sunday night
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
PHOENIX - The NFL tries its best to put on a star-studded affair every year at the Super Bowl.
And I’m sure other sports do their best to bring out the stars to their big party day.
But if anyone puts on a better show than the NBA All-Star Game, I’ve yet to see it.
Where else can you get Muhammad Ali on the Jumbotron, Shaq pop-locking with the Jabberwockies and Spike Lee in a top hat sitting two seats over from John and Cindy McCain?
And that was before the opening tip.
The game itself, the 58th, serves its only real purpose - to showcase the planet’s tallest and most gifted athletic specimens.
Everything else involved, from the Rookie-Sophomore game Friday night to the festive Saturday night stuff and beyond, only adds to the experience.
Hawks captain and three-time All-Star Joe Johnson admitted that his third trip here has been by far his best.
“The first time you’re caught up in the whirlwind,” said Johnson, who was dancing as the starters were introduced before Sunday’s game. “The second time I just wanted to make sure I scored a little bit and didn’t embarrass myself. But this time, I get to really dig in and act like I’ve been here before, because I have.”
Chances are he’ll be here again. And again.
Outside of Miami’s Dwyane Wade, there isn’t a better or more complete shooting guard in the Eastern Conference.
“I could definitely get used to this,” Johnson said. “There’s nothing wrong with being a part of this party. Nothing at all.”
GAME UPDATE: The Western Conference All-Stars won in a rout, 146-119.
Johnson didn’t score in 21 minutes and 38 seconds of action. He was the only player in the game that didn’t score. But he admitted after the game that he played with a severe stomach cramp that bothered him the entire game. Johnson was 0-for-5 from the floor, 0-for-3 from beyond the 3-point line and turned the ball over five times.
But he said he’ll be ready to go Tuesday night against the Lakers in Los Angeles.
Speaking of the Lakers, Kobe Bryant shared the game’s MVP trophy with his former Lakers running mate Shaquille O’Neal. Bryant finished with a game-high 27 points to lead the winners, while O’Neal chipped in with 17 and five rebounds off the bench.
