Nash and Nowitzki Drafted onto LEGO Basketball Team
Jan. 13, 2003 – Stemming from an announcement of a new line of LEGO® Basketball products associated with the National Basketball Association, the LEGO Company announces the final three of 24 NBA players to be “drafted” onto the LEGO Basketball team of mini-figures.
Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal, Boston Celtics forward Antoine Walker and San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker are the final players to be announced in the on-line fictional draft.
Additional NBA players already announced during the on-line draft include Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd, Toni Kukoc, Tim Duncan, Ray Allen, Pau Gasol, Vince Carter, Dirk Nowitzki, Gary Payton, Allen Iverson, Steve Francis, Karl Malone, Chris Webber, Allan Houston, Tracy McGrady, Paul Pierce, Jerry Stackhouse, Steve Nash, Kevin Garnett, Predrag Stojakovic and Jalen Rose .
The 24 mini-figure versions of real NBA players will be featured in collectible LEGO NBA player sets, packed three figures each in eight sets, containing the player and a LEGO Sports Upper Deck trading card.
The collectible NBA figures mark the first time ever that LEGO mini-figures are designed in the likeness of real people, including individual player jerseys and characteristics. The figures are spring-loaded at the waist to be compatible with all LEGO Basketball sets, allowing children to build their own NBA fantasy all-star team to recreate fast-paced, on-the-court action. The collectible mini-figure sets ($7.99 USD $9.99 CAD) will be available in January.
“LEGO Basketball combines classic, open-ended construction, competitive game play and the NBA – the world’s leading authority on the sport,” says Andrew Black, president of LEGO Systems, Inc. “Adding LEGO versions of NBA superstars surely will draw kids into this exciting new way to play basketball.”
Children and sports fans alike can visit www.LEGO.com/sports to experience the latest news and updates to the LEGO Sports assortment. While product already is available at mass retail locations, the website is designed primarily to provide entertainment, interaction and instruction for LEGO Sports enthusiasts. The site also provides a link to www.NBA.com where fans can have an extended LEGO experience with the LEGO Creative Play of the Week.
The build-and-play LEGO Basketball line is the third offering under the LEGO Sports category of construction toys, following the popular LEGO Soccer and ISLAND XTREME STUNTS lines.
The NBA Challenge, available in January for $49.99 (USD) $69.99 (CAD), includes a full-court of LEGO mini-figure players, specially patented with spring-action, to bring basketball dreams to life through multi-player competitive play. Other sets, like 1 vs. 1 Action ($9.99 USD $14.99 CAD), and Ultimate Defense ($12.99 USD $17.99 CAD) include single players in various hoop obstacles and games, designed for kids to practice playing basketball – LEGO style.
A new NBA marketing partner, LEGO Company will launch a comprehensive global marketing campaign that will incorporate many of the NBA's integrated marketing assets, as well as have a feature on NBA.com called the LEGO Creative Play of the Week. LEGO Company's marketing campaign also will include an interactive area at the NBA All-Star Jam Session and participation in the NBA Jam Van - the league's interactive travelling basketball experience.
Los Angeles Lakers center Shaquille O’Neal, Boston Celtics forward Antoine Walker and San Antonio Spurs guard Tony Parker are the final players to be announced in the on-line fictional draft.
Additional NBA players already announced during the on-line draft include Kobe Bryant, Jason Kidd, Toni Kukoc, Tim Duncan, Ray Allen, Pau Gasol, Vince Carter, Dirk Nowitzki, Gary Payton, Allen Iverson, Steve Francis, Karl Malone, Chris Webber, Allan Houston, Tracy McGrady, Paul Pierce, Jerry Stackhouse, Steve Nash, Kevin Garnett, Predrag Stojakovic and Jalen Rose .
The 24 mini-figure versions of real NBA players will be featured in collectible LEGO NBA player sets, packed three figures each in eight sets, containing the player and a LEGO Sports Upper Deck trading card.
The collectible NBA figures mark the first time ever that LEGO mini-figures are designed in the likeness of real people, including individual player jerseys and characteristics. The figures are spring-loaded at the waist to be compatible with all LEGO Basketball sets, allowing children to build their own NBA fantasy all-star team to recreate fast-paced, on-the-court action. The collectible mini-figure sets ($7.99 USD $9.99 CAD) will be available in January.
“LEGO Basketball combines classic, open-ended construction, competitive game play and the NBA – the world’s leading authority on the sport,” says Andrew Black, president of LEGO Systems, Inc. “Adding LEGO versions of NBA superstars surely will draw kids into this exciting new way to play basketball.”
Children and sports fans alike can visit www.LEGO.com/sports to experience the latest news and updates to the LEGO Sports assortment. While product already is available at mass retail locations, the website is designed primarily to provide entertainment, interaction and instruction for LEGO Sports enthusiasts. The site also provides a link to www.NBA.com where fans can have an extended LEGO experience with the LEGO Creative Play of the Week.
The build-and-play LEGO Basketball line is the third offering under the LEGO Sports category of construction toys, following the popular LEGO Soccer and ISLAND XTREME STUNTS lines.
The NBA Challenge, available in January for $49.99 (USD) $69.99 (CAD), includes a full-court of LEGO mini-figure players, specially patented with spring-action, to bring basketball dreams to life through multi-player competitive play. Other sets, like 1 vs. 1 Action ($9.99 USD $14.99 CAD), and Ultimate Defense ($12.99 USD $17.99 CAD) include single players in various hoop obstacles and games, designed for kids to practice playing basketball – LEGO style.
A new NBA marketing partner, LEGO Company will launch a comprehensive global marketing campaign that will incorporate many of the NBA's integrated marketing assets, as well as have a feature on NBA.com called the LEGO Creative Play of the Week. LEGO Company's marketing campaign also will include an interactive area at the NBA All-Star Jam Session and participation in the NBA Jam Van - the league's interactive travelling basketball experience.
 Dirk was one of 24 NBA stars to be made into a LEGO figure.
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 Steve Nash joins teammate Dirk Nowitzki as a LEGO figure.
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