Approaching in just a couple days is something exceptional in the world of basketball. The 16th marks the day of the NBA’s greatest stars coming together and facing off against one another in one of the biggest games of the year: the NBA All-Star game. Not only is this one of the most highly watched games of the year at 8 million viewers in 2013, but it is considered to be a fan favorites considering they vote on the players in the game.
The game is being held in New Orleans at the Smoothie King Center, home of the New Orleans Pelicans where the stadium has already sold out. With high anticipation for the game, fans are buzzing with excitement and can not wait to witness history.
The starting line-ups, voted by the fans, have already been determined. Starting for the Western Conference is Stephen Curry from the Golden State Warriors, Kobe Bryant from the Los Angeles Lakers, Kevin Durant from the Oklahoma City Thunder, Blake Griffin from the Los Angeles Clippers and Kevin Love from the Minnesota Timberwolves. The starters for the Eastern Conference include Dwayne Wade from the Miami Heat, Kyrie Irving from the Cleveland Cavaliers, Lebron James from the Miami Heat, Paul George from the Indiana Pacers, and Carmelo Anthony from the New York Knicks.
Receiving the highest vote of any player in the NBA with 1,416,419 votes was Lebron James. Not far behind was Kevin Durant who collected 1,396,294 votes. James and Durant are the top candidates for the leagues MVP and are fighting to lead their teams to the Finals. With these super-stars facing off along with others from around the country, it’s not a game to miss.
Another feature during this All-Star break is the Slam Dunk Contest. Watching the best of the best throwing it down is one of the most entertaining and favored events of the break. Viewers often describe this event as exhilarating and energizing, thus great attendance and total viewers of this event.
However, this year will be different. A new set of rules have been put into place. For the first time, the dunk contest participants will be split into two teams: East (Terrence Ross, Paul George and John Wall) and West (Harrison Barnes, Damian Lillard and Ben McLemore). Rather than all of the dunkers competing against each other as individuals, they will be working in teams, with team and individual awards being given out at the end of the night. In hopes of generating even more excitement for the event, fans can vote and are the deciding factor on who the Dunker of the Night is. Being the first year these new rules have been put into place, this will be the trial year and might become the new tradition of the contest.