-Contestants from the 1986 three point competition in Dallas

 

 

Today the All Star game is more then just the game. Its become A week long event that draws celebrities into town. Think of it as ground zero for TMZ cameras. The weekend events as we know them really all started with the ABA in 1976 when they held there first annual dunk contest which was won by Dr. J.( think the movie Semi- Pro with Will Ferrell). The ABA was dissolved in 1976 and the NBA waited until 1984 to add the dunk contest to the all star game. The  NBA legends classic was added as well in 1984 but this was canceled in 1993. In 1985 the league added the three point contest. The 90's saw the addition of the rookie challenge in 1995. 2004 the league decided to add new event for Friday night, The Celebrity game. There are other events going on that I did not mention but I would say these are the biggest draws other then the actual game itself.

 

 

Some of the highlights of the games/events past that stick out in my mind are Magic Johnson's return in 1990, Spud Webb winning the dunk contest in Dallas in 1986, Brent Barry wining the dunk contest in 1996( yeah that one sticks out because I was there and saw Bones do this in person), Larry Bird winning the first three, three point contests including the one in Dallas in 1986, the 1988 dunk contest between Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins( the best dunk contest ever) and Shaquille O'Neal's entrance into the 2009 All Star game when he danced with the Jabawokkes ( the best entrance into a game ever).

 

 

 -Shaq makes his entrance into the 2009 All Star game with the Jabawokkes

 

This weekend should be a good one in Dallas. Even if you don't like the NBA there should be some good people watching to be had around town.

 

 

 

Please email me with any comments @ intownsteve@aol.com