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Glitz, glamour and lots of All-Star scoring in Vegas
By David Zizmor February 18, 2007 |
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The West All-Stars came out of the shoot taking a commanding lead at half time over the East All-Stars, and that pretty much set the tone all game long as the West pretty much held a 20 point lead on the East in the 153-132 scoring fest at the 2007 All-Star game in Las Vegas. Game MVP Kobe Bryant and the West's Carmelo Anthony led the West scoring which helped carry the day for the victory. West forward Shawn Marion hoped the West All Stars entertained in what could have been considered one of Las Vegas' biggest show cases ever, "I think we had a little flair, a little Vegas in there. Hopefully the fans enjoyed it a lot." said Marion. Kobe scored 31 points to lead both squads individually and Kobe had six points to win the game MVP. The West's Anthony scored 20 points while Marion who attended UNLV and played at Thomas and Mack Center during his college days savored the moment with a contribution of 18 points in front of the old home crowd. East All Star LeBron James dished out 28 points to lead the East All Stars but it was for naught. Shaq O'Neal tried to say fatigue was the reason for the lag on the East side that the club got into Vegas late, "We got here (Vegas) at 2 O’clock (AM) there's a lot of stretching and standing around. We were all kind of stiff so the game was a little lopsided. But that's ok, they came here to see a show and they got a show," said Shaq. All-Star note: The game had its glitz everybody but Sigmund and Roy or the jugglers performed. Wayne Newton used the word "dunkashane" and for a good reason Newton proposed to bring NBA basketball to the Sin City with a brand new Arena and that Vegas would try to have a full time NBA team there. Some of the top priced tickets went for $20,000 for the best seats in the house. All those who were there on Sunday, Jay Z, Diddy, Prince (no half time entertainment show this time), Eva Longoria (Mrs. Anthony Parker), Adam Sandler, Christina Aguilera, and Toni Braxton. Even Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman took a walk down the red carpet escorted by two Vegas show girls before the game. NBA Commissioner David J Stern was quizzed by the press about the possibility of moving an NBA franchise to Las Vegas. Right now the two teams that were named as possibilities the Sacramento Kings because the Maloof's own the Palms Casino and have never ruled out the possibility of moving to Vegas although they have said they are committed to keeping the Kings in Sacramento, but that's if they can get a new Arena. Vegas has already said they'd build one right on the strip. The other possibility is the Seattle Sonics who are trying to bolt from Key Arena and get a new Arena. The have been rumored to have their eye on Vegas as well but Stern would not commit. Stern talked about the Kings first, "We're trying very hard to take a team that has succeeded wonderfully in Sacramento, continues to succeed, and find a way to continue that marriage in a building that is better than the one they are in," said Stern. On the Sonics, "They've spent enormous sums of money and time and the like to come up with a plan, a funding plan. They've laid it out. they've got a site selected, etc. And it will either happen or it won't. We've been around this track a long time and it hopes it happens because Seattle has been a very good city for the NBA," said Stern. The Sonics are reported to be looking at Renton south of Seattle. The City of Seattle are trying to find ways to build a new downtown arena as usual funding is the big road block. The other thought is to build the Arena if there is room by Qwest Field home of the Seahawks and Huskies and Safeco Field home of the Mariners. Other than talking shop the All-Star game was just fine. David Zizmor co-hosts Sportstalk on 1690 KFSG Sacramento. quote source: KDWN 720 AM Las Vegas News and Dodgers baseball. |
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