Majerle & Hornacek: An All Star Weekend to Remember

Down the road from Orlando, FL there is a Fantasyland where almost anyone with a few bucks can play.

But Phoenix Suns guard Jeff Hornacek and guard/forward “Thunder” Dan Majerle had to earn their trip to fantasy land last month in the annual National Basketball Association All Star game at the Orlando Arena.

Hornacek and Majerle were NBA veterans turned wide-eyed kids playing make believe with a basketball icon almost as well known as Mickey Mouse.

“Years from now I can pop in a video tape and show my kids and family I played in an All Star game with Magic Johnson,” Majerle said, still aglow hours after returning from the area of the county better known for Disney World than the Orlando Magic.

“That was history because it could have been Magic’s final game, and years from now I can say I was part if it. It was special.”

The mid-season classic was the first for Majerle and Hornacek, a couple of hard working players whose biggest personal challenge was to make it in the NBA. Since then they have been keys to the success of the Suns over the last two or three seasons, and their talents were recognized by opposing NBA coaches who have tried to develop ways to contain them during the regular season.

Hornacek and Majerle were selected as reserves for the West team, while the starters were chosen by balloting of NBA fans.

“Sometimes the All Star game turns into a popularity contest, but it doesn’t matter because they are the best players anyway,” Hornacek said.

“But when the coaches pick you, coaches who have been around the NBA, obviously they feel you have some ability. They’re saying you’re someone they’d like to have on their team.”

Hornacek drew a smile from the national press corps covering the All Star game when he quipped that he asked Johnson if he was still property of the Los Angeles Lakers, and if not, the Suns could use him in the second half of the season as they shot for an NBA championship.

Unlike some of the NBA superstars, Hornacek and Majerle were just happy to be able to play in the league. All Star games weren’t in their plans.

“I just wanted to get in the league, make a team and play a lot of years in the NBA,” said Majerle, a 1988 Suns first round draft choice out of Central Michigan and a member of the 1988 United States Olympic basketball team.

“Once I got here, I didn’t think about playing in the All Star game because I wasn’t a starter. But I kept improving and this year it just sort of sprung up on me.”

Majerle, a vote away from winning the NBA’s Sixth Man award last season, was the first non-starter to make the All Star team since Philadelphia’s Bobby Jones.

“Being chosen is something like making the Olympic team. You’re recognized as one of the top players of the year,” Majerle explained. “But where the Olympics are spread out, the All Star Weekend is non stop. And there is so much more hype.

“The atmosphere is alive, it’s such a big event and everyone is pumped up. It’s a lot of fun.

“I was pumped because (the Suns) are playing well now and the All Star game was a bonus.

“It’s a great honor to be the sixth man because it means coaches respect the job I’m doing with the Suns and the team. That was the biggest compliment I could get.

“After only a weekend you don’t get to know these players like we did on the Olympic team because the new were living together for a few months. But you do get to know the players in the league better and you get to respect the more.

“Even though we see these guys almost every night of the season it was totally enjoyable to sit on the bench and watch them play. You’re in awe of what they can do in an All Star game even though you’ve seen them through the season.

“I was anxious and a little nervous because eventually it hits you that you’re out there with some of the greatest players in the world. I just had a lot of fun and I’m glad I was there to be a part of history.

“It was a great event, especially with Magic being there and with the way it ended I’m proud I could have been a part of it. I even got an assist from Magic toward the end of the game.

“I’ll never forget it and I’d love to go back again.”

The All Star game was never in Hornacek’s boyhood dreams either.

A second round pick out of Iowa State by the Suns in 1986 and the 48th palye4r picked overall that year, an All Star jersey was the last thing Hornacek thought he would be wearing.

“I didn’t think I’d ever be playing in the NBA, let alone an All Star game,” Hornacek said.

“That and a championship are probably a dream of every kid who plays basketball. You watch these players on television when you’re a kid, then to actually be there…

“I never thought I’d have a chance to play in the NBA until my senior year in college when coaches and teams started calling. Then, a couple of years ago, I thought if I play well and with a little bit of luck, who knows.

“I’d probably be lying if I said it doesn’t affect you because you think about it. The pressure comes from how you think you’ve played your game, not what other people think.”

Hornacek has been a model of consistency with the Suns for the past three years, but this season the league took notice.

“I’ve been told that a 20 point (per game) average is the magic number that clicks in people’s minds and that may be right,” he added.

“I’ve done pretty much the same thing this year as I did the last two years, but I didn’t impress anyone. The only difference is, that I’m shooting about four more shots a game, and getting about four more points, but that’s it.

“I’m shooting 51 percent which is about the same as last year and about 54 percent the year before, and I’m the same from the line.

“But, point wise this has been my best season even though I’m not getting the open shots I used to. Guys around the league are making me work harder,”

Hornacek’s deadeye accuracy from three point range put him in the three point shooting contest. But during he contest in Orlando, his aim was off.

“I guess I didn’t have the mentality as a shooter,” he said with a grin after the timed event.

When he was selected as an All Star, Hornacek felt like he was doing a Walt Disney commercial.

“Hey, Jeff Hornacek, you’ve just been named to the NBA All Star team, now what are you going to do.

“We’re going to Disney World,” would have been Hornacek’s reply.

“Before the three point contest we planned to visit Disney World with the kids and take in the sights. But with meetings, practice and press conferences, there isn’t much time to even get out of the gym.”

Hornacek was still able to take his wife, Stacy, and boys, Ryan and Tyler on the trip.

“You go with the attitude of having fun, and of course, winning the game.”

Hornacek and Majerle were joined by Slam Dunk champion Cedric Ceballos, who scored a perfect 50.0 with a blindfolded dunk, as well as former Suns Alvan Adams, Connie Hawkins and Maurice Lucas, who played in the Legends Game.

Tom Chambers and Kevin Johnson represented the Suns last season.

Before they left, Johnson suggested Hornacek get a new suit for all the festivities.

“I’ve already got a suit,” the unpretentious Hornacek replied with a grin, “why would I need a new one?”

Majerle is proud of recognition the Suns are getting nationally.

“With Tom and Kevin last year and two new guys this year, that makes four different All Stars in two years,” Majerle beams. “That says a lot about the depth of our team and I think a lot of people appreciate what the Suns are.

Once you’ve been there, you want to go back. I’ll never forget it.”

And, for as long as their names are mentioned, Jeff Hornacek and “Thunder Dan” Majerle can be called All Stars.