February 19 - The game.
After all the parties, presentations, press conferences, visuals and HEAT All-Star Saturday Night, it was time to showcase the stars. The game got away from the East quickly. Dwyane Wade had some amazing flight above the rim, and Shaq tried to break Mehmet Okur down off the dribble which kept things somewhat entertaining. However, the highlight of the game had to be Shaq's post signature dunk kiss of Tracy McGrady. Shaq told me he just wanted T-Mac to know he was one of his favorite players. He also noted that at least his kiss was not like the Barkely/Bavetta lip lock from Saturday night.
When it was all said and done. Wade said Las Vegas should be a regular stop on the rotation of cities for All-Star weekend, while Shaq wants the game in Miami before his career is done.
With that this blog is done. I hope you enjoyed my flow.
Now it is off to Houston to kick off the last 30 games of the regular season. Can the stretch run be here already? Join Eric Reid, Tony Fiorentino and yours truly live from the Toyota Center on Wednesday at 9:00pm as the HEAT face the Rockets on Sun Sports.
It has been a pleasure being your server,Jax
February 18 - Saturday, we finally saw All-Stars with basketballs in their hands! Time for practice.
The East and West All-Stars took to the Jam Session Court in the Mandalay Bay Convention Center for an open session. (Insert pic of huddle) East Head Coach Eddie Jordan really tried to get some work in but it was an All-Star practice so it was full of fun and hijinx. Including a special challenge by Miami's own Shaquille O'Neal.
After Vince Carter made a half court shot to close practice, the Daddy, a 14-time All-Star, laid down a breakdance contest challenge. Bigs against the smalls. Shaq took centerstage first and rocked some old school pop lockin, mix with some new dance moves. Only LeBron James and Dwight Howard would step to the challenge, but Shaq brought out the Earthworm - game over. It was delightful to see that after 14 trips to this weekend Shaq still can and will put on a show.
While the prep for Sunday's game was going on, we had another crew covering a very special event. On Saturday Alonzo Mourning's wife, Tracy, was recognized by the NBA Wives for her numerous philanthropic endeavors. Congrats Tracy!
After practice, Dwyane Wade was back on the business circut. T-Moble set up a "Get inside Dwayne's head" exhibit. After a guided tour, he took the court for a quick clinic. Finishing with a heated came of "knockout" with one of the attendees. Let's just say Wade always competes @ a highb level. Even when an 11 year old might get the best of him.
On to the festivities, as you know All-Star Saturday night was dominated by Wade's second Skills Challenge title, and Jason Kapono's blazing 3 point shooting effort that also resulted in hardware. Wade told me after he wasn't trying to win, yet ran the course in just over 25 seconds in the final. I'd hate to see what would happen if he WAS trying! As for Jason, he said his practiced time paid off. He noted his final round score of 24 had to put pressure on fellow finalists Gilbert Arenas and Dirk Nowitzki. Jason you did!
Congrats to both Dwyane and Jason! Now, is an Eastern Confernce win today with a Shaq MVP too much to ask?
Happy Sunday HEAT fans,
Jax
February 17 - Let us first address the omission pointed out by our gracious webmaster. I would expect nothing less from Mr. Scott's fellow Tar Heel. Mr. Scott endured several delays on way to the course, so his score was only recorded on the front nine, which was our second nine. Thanks to an opening birdie, your humble blogger was on route to a rout. I finished with a 46 for the nine wholes, while Mr. Scott carded a 50. I thank the webmaster for his incorrect assumptions. I was the winner and merely didn't want to seem braggadocios.
On to the day, Friday was a busy one!
The day began at The Palms Hotel and Casino. The Palms is the main player's hotel and thanks to a series of recently constructed tents, also was home to player media availability.
First up was Jason Kapono, and the other All-Star Saturday night (Shooting Stars, Skills Challenge, 3-point shootout and Dunk Contest) participants who were not also slated to play in the All-Star game itself. I held position with Kapono to get a feel for how his trip had progressed. Being a California native, Kapono said he had loads of family and friends he'd been entertaining since his arrival on Wednesday. So much so, this self admitted golf nut declined an invitation to play golf with yours truly - I believe that was a first! Kapono is the host with the most. If you have heard any of Kapono's comments about the event, yesterday he didn't provide anything new. He is confident and he is prepared. In fact, following his 30-minute media session, he was off to practice, yet again, for the event. As a side note, former HEAT guard Damon Jones, has once again proclaimed that everyone else in the 3-point Shootout is playing for second through six since he is going to win. We shall see.
The media fiesta continued for the next hour with the West and then the East All-Stars. Shaquille O'Neal and Dwyane Wade were asked questions ranging from what kind of tree they would be to their opinions on the recent Tim Hardaway comments. Wade was beaming about his Converse apparel launch party. He was so surprised to see his mother and high school coach among the models on the runway the previous night. Shaq brought the house down with his take on the Dirk/Dwyane war of words saying, "Dirk said something, then Dwyane came back at him, and then Dirk went and told his Daddy!" (in reference to Mavs Owner Mark Cuban recently entering the discussion). Shaq still has some of the most powerful one-liners in the business.
From the press room to the board room. Following the media event, it was off to the beautiful Bellagio for the Brand Wade Summit. Team Wade had the brilliant idea to bring together the companies Dwyane endorses all into the same room. This event allowed for Dwyane to address and entertain his partners, while encouraging them to think of new ways to present their product (maybe even together) using "Wade's World".
Right at the strike of 4pm PST, we hit the streets again to attend the Celebrity Game at Jam Session (which is connected to our hotel Mandalay Bay). Saints Running Back Reggie Bush, Scrubs star Donald Faison, Comedian Carrot Top and Actor/Rapper Nelly were among the stars playing in the game. We used the opportunity to gather what we call in-arena ID's. So as not to give away the magic of television, just keep an eye on HEATv, the "jumbotron" in the middle of AmericanAirlines Arena in the coming weeks and months and you'll see the fruits of our labor.
The official final stop of the day was another trip to The Wynn Hotel. Shaq teamed up with ESPN for a party in Tryst, a club on the lower level at The Wynn. It marked the coming out party of Shaq's lasted endorsement relationship. Mineral Water has come up with a Shaq-sized bottle to lead their upcoming campaign with O'Neal. Of course, it is 32-ounces!!!. Shaq said they first expressed interest in working together at Zo's Summer Groove, and the idea is now a reality. Keep a lookout for the new media blitz in the coming weeks. The event allowed us to talk to many of the NBA's analysts and reporters, and nearly to a man, all of them believe the HEAT are the team to beat for the Eastern Conference Championship. Most believe the timing of Shaq's return, Coach Riley's return, the continued excellence of Wade and the emergence of Kapono and the entire supporting cast is the right formula for a return to that spring fling we've experience in South Florida over the last two seasons.
What a busy day! It doesn't stop because it won't stop.
Today we have: All-Star Practice, followed by the NBA Wife's honoring Tracy Mourning, a T-Mobile Basketball Clinic with D-Wade, All Star Saturday night plus a peek in at the Jamie Foxx concert at the Aladdin Hotel.
Just hold on tight - I'll take you everywhere,
Jax
Vegas Tip of the Day: If you ever come out to Las Vegas for a major event like All-Star, set aside money just for your transportation. Hire your own car. Skip taxis and rentals. The valet and taxi stand lines are longer then most buffet lines. The wait for a cab at the airport last night was two hours on the short side. Any other time, a cab or a rental is fine, but a major event would cause you a major disaster without spending the extra cash.
February 16 - When you go to bed @ 3am, there is nothing good about waking up @ 5:30am. However, this what took place Thursday morning. Before the sun (and my family) was up, I was out and on the road to FLL for my 5 hour and 30 minute flight to LAS (sorry I love referring to towns by their airport codes).
My terminal was a mess. Why? I totally forgot about the noreaster that slammed most of the northeast, and most folks were in their 20th hour of trying to get back home. Needless to say, "it was gettin' kinda hectic"! Check bags - boom. Security line - bing. Off to gate E10, where my first indication of how All Star Weekend would roll out was awaiting me.
Upon arrival at my gate, I gazed upon on of the most assorted grouping of humanity ever: HEAT season ticket holders, my co-workers, small business people (yep), titans of business, pro athletes, fans of fun, family members, friends, among others.
The flight was a time to sleep. So on with the iPod Shuffle and time for concert prep. I am going to see Jamie Foxx in concert on Saturday and Justin Timberlake @ AmericanAirlines Arena next Saturday so I moved all their cuts to the front of the Shuffle - hence concert prep.
6 hours later (thanks to a strong headwind) we touched down in LAS - let the games begin. Along with All-Star, Lunar New Year is in full effect this weekend so Vegas is packed to the gills. Lines are forming everywhere, including baggage claim, taxi stands, check-in @ the hotel - everywhere. By the way, at baggage claim two amazing things occurred. First, I saw twins who looked just liked Mariah Carey (yes sir) and the Goldfarbs (HEAT season ticket holders) saw me dragging a week's worth of luggage around and asked me to join them in their limo. "Why yes, I'd be happy to".
As we make our way to Mandalay Bay, we see TMobile has draped 25-30 floors of the hotel tower with Dwyane Wade's face to advertise the new Sidekick 3. Wow! Little time though to marvel. I checked bags, checked in, called for bags, set up my moble office, received bags and changed into golf gear before 30 minutes passed. I was off to Stallion Mountain Country Club. Their Director of Tournament Sales Suzi Scott was our host (played with ESPNs Stuart Scott - Jax just name dropped) and we played with their Membership Director Brandon Ponsoll. They were magnificent hosts and we played into the darkness getting all 18 in.
Time to get to work. Back to Mandalay Bay for a quick change, and off to the stunning new Wynn Hotel and Casino for Alonzo Mourning's 3rd Annual 8-ball Challenge. For the 2nd year in a row, Zo partnered with my favorite player of all-time Magic Johnson for this star studded charity event. On the red carpet we interviewed the likes of Derek Coleman, Dr. J, Queen Latifah, Nick Cannon, Regina King, Billy Owens. Steve Wynn and many more. As soon as we gathered all of the materials we needed for our story (including some very serious, Zo, and some very bad, Nick Cannon, billiard players), we were off to Club Jet in The Mirage Hotel for Converse's Wade 2.0 signature shoe and new apparel line presentation and fashion show. All the stars were out again including the man of the hour flanked by family and friends. We have to mention Mr. Wade was rocking a new diamond incrusted Wade/DiVinci man Converse logo pose necklace. Ouch! The event was rockin' and bumpin' thanks to DJ Irie (who double dipped last night's events) and Miami's own - The Boss, Ricky Ross, who performed live. The event was a smash it. Even my man Jason Kapono has to shake a tail-feather along with his lovely wife Ashley.
After a late night run to the only open restaurant back @ Mandalay Bay, I hit the sheets at 3:45am PT only to rise 3-hours later to provide 790 The Ticket with my All-Star report. Ouch, this will all hurt my body later right?
Today is a new day, and a busy one. First up East and West All-Star media availability, followed by a Wade Brand summit (I don't know either), the Celebrity All-Star game and Shaq's party with ESPN.
Log-in tomorrow for all the goods!
Peace and hair grease,Jax
Webmaster's Note: Funny how our blogger mentioned the golf match with Stuart Scott but made no effort to discuss who actually won. Since no mention was made of the final tally, we'll just imagine that Jax got whooped.
February 15 - Hello HEAT fans. Over the next few days, I will be your cyber guide through the NBA's maiden voyage to Las Vegas for its not-so mid-season classic, the 2007 NBA All Star Game. From MGM Grand to Mandalay Bay to The Palms to the Thomas and Mack Center and beyond, I will take you inside the parties, practices, events and games. Each morning, you'll find my report exclusively here on HEAT.com.
This year we will follow the exploits of Jason Kapono (3 point shootout), Dwyane Wade (Skills Challenge and East All-Stars starter) and Shaquille O'Neal (East All-Stars starter).
So off we go on a five and a half hour flight to all the fun we can handle. Come along for the ride. Viva Las Vegas!