Elton Brand filed a daily diary with NBA.com during his All-Star stay in Philly. Here's what he had to say about sleeping in and his quest for a double-double in the All-Star Game.

February 10, 2002

Last night, my friends came and we went to the NBA Players' Association party. It was good. It was packed. A lot of the players turned out. Ja-Rule, Jay-Z. Chakkha Khan performed. I got there a little late, so I saw Ja-Rule and Jay-Z perform. That was good. Sat in traffic for about an hour first.


Brand grabbed 10 rebounds, but only took five shots and finished with six points in 19 minutes.
Noren Trotman/NBAE/Getty Images
Didn't do anything this morning, because I wasn't up this morning. Woke up about 11:30, you know, 12 o'clock. So I just got some lunch and got ready for the game. I picked out my suit to wear to the arena because it was the only one I had clean from my long road trip. You know, they told me Thursday that I would be participating this weekend and I had to be here Friday so this was the one I had clean.

The bus ride to the arena was fun; everything was fun. Just being with the guys. It was just a good time. I wasn't nervous before the game, but anxious. Very excited. Honored too. Honored to be there.

They called my name for the player introductions and I didn't know what to do. I just had to stand there for a moment and soak it all in. That was just a special feeling out there.

You know it's funny about hanging out with these guys. Even though I live in LA, I really enjoyed spending time with Kobe Bryant, you know … Shaq … on the bus. I've known KG (Kevin Garnett) and Gary Payton for a while. So just being with them again. It was a good time.

When it was time for me to go in, you know, it was definitely a rush. It was a rush getting in the game and being able to play. Just to compete. And the camaraderie we had was good also. We wanted to win the game. At halftime we spoke about having lost a big lead last year so we wanted to win this game. That was the most important thing.

I didn't get my double-double this time. I didn't put up enough shots. I got the rebounds, so next year, I'm going to work hard, hopefully make the game and put up a little more shots. Not a whole lot. I'm not going to go crazy. But a few more.

The best part of the weekend, I say, was just enjoying all the festivities. Playing in the game was an honor. I think that was the best time for me.

Tonight I'm outta here. I'm partied out. I'm going to go get some rest and get ready for the second half of the season.