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All-Star Blog: Magic Hit The Six

Dan Savage
Director of Digital News

Update: Melanie Curtsinger

Feb. 13, 2016

6:40 p.m. - walking into the locker room, Andre Drummond passes Aaron's sister. "Good luck," she says, "but not too much."

6:50 p.m. - We arrive in the locker room and head to the lounge. Aaron eats a banana as we talk about our mutual love for dessert. Like me, he literally loves everything with sugar. I knew I liked this kid.

8:20 p.m. - In the practice area, Zach LaVine tells Aaron and Will Barton that he didn't even get a chance to stretch last year before he dunked.

8:25 p.m. - With a tv in the practice court area, the guys all cheer when Towns wins the skills competition. Andre Drummond says, "I did not expect that."

8:42 p.m. - Barton does a dunk where he bounces the ball off the wall in the Raptors practice court. Drummond says, "you know there's not a wall out there, right?"

9:45 p.m. - The "thriller" dancers from Barton's intro walk by Drummond in the hall still in character and he says, "y'all going to need to walk right. That's scary!"

9:46 p.m. - Aaron heads back to the locker room to change into his rip-off suit. When he walks out, Drummond says, "what, are you going to sing too like Oladipo? What is it with you Orlando guys and singing?"

10:30 p.m. - After the contest ends, Aaron does NBA TV with LaVine, heads to the press conference and does photos with LaVine. He looks at me and says, "This might be the longest losers media circuit of all-time!"

10:42 p.m. - While waiting in the photo room for LaVine, we watch a tv in the room talking about surfers. Aaron tells me he has surfed once and would do it again. When I tell him I surf and have a board, he insists that we go sometime this summer.

Update: Dan Savage

Feb. 12, 2016

11:15 p.m. - It’s no secret that Mario Hezonja is normally reserved when talking to the media. It’s not that he’s unwilling to speak, but it’s rare that the press gets to see his true personality in interviews.

However this weekend while doing his media availability alongside Elfrid Payton, one of his best friends on the squad, Mario has really started to come out of his shell.

Case and point this interview below. Super Mario was truly cooking both on the court and in the NBA All-Star Mixed Zone – the spot where all these sit downs take place.

Update: Melanie Curtsinger

Feb. 12, 2016

12:30 p.m. - On the Team USA bus ride back to the hotel, the guys compare draft workouts and which ones were the hardest.

6:10 p.m. - Elfrid arrives downstairs to leave for the Rising Stars. We discuss his upcoming haircut (he's not sure how much he'll take off when he goes back to Louisiana on Sunday), and how he used his afternoon free time: a nap and lunch with his mom.

6:17 p.m. - The Team USA and World buses leave for the Air Canada Centre, only 2 minutes behind schedule... Which is no small feat when you are trying to get 50+ people to show up on time.

6:17 p.m. - The Team USA and World buses leave for the Air Canada Centre, only 2 minutes behind schedule... Which is no small feat when you are trying to get 50+ people to show up on time.

7:00 p.m. - At the arena, one of the NBA basketball operations personnel approaches me and says, "just thought you'd like to know that Mario is the first guy who asked to put up shots."

11:10 p.m. - Walking out of their media circuit, Marcus Smart walks by Elfrid and Mario and yells, "Cut your hair!" to which Mario yells, "you're not one to talk about hair!"

Update: Dan Savage

Feb. 12, 2016

11:35 a.m. All-Star Weekend is similar to a family reunion. You end up getting to catch up with a lot of people and players that you haven’t had the chance to chat with in a long time.

One of the former Magic men, who I always look forward to conversing with, is former Iron Magic champion J.J. Redick.

While discussing his new podcast on The Vertical – it’s great by the way – Redick said he plans on having Jameer Nelson on in the near future and devoting almost the entire episode to their era with Orlando.

Talk about a must listen.

J.J. Redick

Update: Melanie Curtsinger

Feb. 12, 2016

9:10 a.m. - Team World arrives and signs 30 balls each before going to the locker room to change.

Mario Hezonja

11:00 a.m. - Elfrid sits on the bench, grabs a ball and hurls it towards the basket... Nothing but net.

11:10 a.m. - Jordan Clarkson grabs a media member's mic and starts interviewing players, including Elfrid.

Update: Melanie Curtsinger

Feb. 11, 2016

5:40 p.m. - On the bus ride back to the player hotel, Aaron and I start talking about which Wildcats are better - my KY Wildcats or his Arizona Wildcats. I bring up the 1997 Final Four and ask if he remembers when Arizona beat my beloved Wildcats in the title game, and he proceeds to tell me that he was 2 years old at the time. Which made me feel really old.

5:57 p.m. - Also on the bus ride back, Mario jokingly says he wants to know what would happen if he came to the game in swimming trunks and flip flops. I urge him not to try, for sake of the NBA dress code... And because it's 10 degrees outside.

Update: Dan Savage

Feb. 11, 2016

5:15 p.m.: Just came to the realization that it’s a monumental All-Star Weekend for me: No. 10.

I’ve seen a lot of stars come and go, both during my time working for the league and the Magic.

And during that timeframe, I’ve rarely seen a group hit the media circuit with such swag and camaraderie as this trio right here.

Take a quick look at their media circuit journey:

Update: Melanie Curtsinger

Feb. 11, 2016

12:45 p.m. - After a smooth flight, we land in Toronto a half hour ahead of schedule!

1:10 p.m. - General Manager Rob Hennigan passes Elfrid Payton just outside of customs. When Payton asks where they are having dinner that night (the GM always has dinner with the participants on Thursday night), Payton is excited to hear that it's at a legendary Toronto steakhouse.

1:20 p.m. - While waiting for our baggage, I have my first embarrassing moment of the trip. I find a restroom and begin to walk in, only to be met by Victor Oladipo coming out. Vic proceeds to laugh, saying, "you are not a man!" and leads me to the women's side. Half of me is happy that I didn't walk any further in, half of me is totally embarrassed that the one person I would run into in that situation would be Vic, who will likely not let me forget that. Ever.

4:16 p.m. - I asked the guys to meet me at the entrance of our hotel at 4:15 to leave for their media circuit. Mario and Elfrid arrive early, and when Aaron gets off the elevator at 4:16, Mario shouts out for all to hear: "Aaron, you're making us all late!"

4:19 p.m. - While waiting for our car, a kid asks Aaron for his photo. But before he takes it, he says, "you are Aaron Gordon, right?" Aaron takes it in jest and reassures him.

4:45 p.m. - At the media circuit, the first player we run into is Kristaps Porzingis, who rushes over to greet Mario with a hug.

Porzingis & Hezonja

4:50 p.m. - Mario does an interview for the NBA in Spanish, Croatian and English, at their request, answering every question in all three languages.

4:52 p.m. - Aaron says on the NBA podcast that he saw all the dunks from last year and none compare to what he has in store this year.

5:00 p.m. - While filming in-arena Jumbotron videos, Aaron nails lip syncing to "Uptown Funk" on the first try.

Update: Dan Savage

Feb. 11, 2016

10:30 a.m.: It’s hard enough to get through security and make it to your gate on time at the airport.

It’s even harder when every step of the way you have fans – and even a few security guards who shall remain nameless – taking selfies with you every step of the way.

Fortunately, that’s not a problem I have to deal with.

However, Aaron Gordon, Mario Hezonja, Victor Oladipo and Elfrid Payton had a different experience when going through Orlando International Airport on their way to Toronto.

Regardless of the slight delays, AG still found time to send a message to Magic fans before taking off for The Six: