All-Star Update

Hey Wolves fans, and welcome to your vicarious tour of NBA All-Star 2008. We were down in the Big Easy with Gerald Green and Rashad McCants from Thursday to Saturday as Gerald looked to defend his title in the Sprite Slam Dunk contest, with an assist from McCants.

Saturday, February 16
In any other year, Gerald's performance takes the crown (a sentiment many NBA employees agreed with), but tonight Dwight Howard was just too impressive. I'm a bit skeptical that the Superman dunk should have counted, since he came up about three feet short and somehow managed to throw the ball through the hoop, but the creativity and theatrics of his performance made his victory tough to argue with. Gerald's Birthday Cake dunk was definitely a fan favorite, but some of my fellow PR reps wondered if he brought it out too soon and should have saved it for the finals over the shoe-less dunk. Rashad was quick to point out just how difficult that is to plant/jump in socks, but obviously the fans at home who were voting were slightly less impressed. Regardless, it was a wildly entertaining night and brought a little luster back to a competition that by most accounts had been getting a little stale.

- The league's NBA Cares Day of Service on Friday was a huge success and saw over 2,500 people, including players, media members and league/team staff take to the streets in an effort to help the ongoing rebuilding process here in New Orleans. Gerald took part in a Habitat for Humanity home build in East New Orleans, an area of the city that clearly had a long ways to go in recovering from Katrina. He donned a tool belt, grabbed a hammer and helped build walls for the new house alongside fellow players Kobe Bryant, Paul Pierce, Chris Paul and Chris Duhon. The home's future owners where there helping as well and were clearly touched by the willing participation from the players. All in all, a very memorable day, and kudos the NBA for making it happen.

- Both Gerald and Rashad attended a party hosted by Shaq and Reggie Bush on Friday night, where they teamed up in another billiards tournament. Unfortunately, Gerald admitted that it was another first-round exit.

Friday, February 15
Some quick hits from Gerald's morning appearances...

- Last night's EA Sports NBA Live tourney didn't go as well as Gerald hoped. He was ousted in the first round by Seattle rookie Kevin Durant. His strategy was to play as the Wolves, sub himself in, and make sure #15 took all the shots. Gerald admitted he's not much of a video game junkie himself and thought it was crazy how good some of those guys were.

- Gerald's media availability session included all Saturday night participants, including his rivals in the dunk contest along with the 3-point shooters, skills challenge participants and shooting stars teams. David Robinson, who is competing on the San Antonio team in the Haier Shooting Stars competition along with Tim Duncan and Becky Hammon, drew the most attention.

- During a number of his interviews, Gerald mentioned a new dunk he's got called "Birthday Cake." He still won't budge on the details. Guess we'll all have to wait until tomorrow night to find out...

- One unidentified media member tried to use today's session to engage Memphis' Rudy Gay in some sort of harmonica jam session. Made for an awkward moment until NBA PR reps swooped in and put a stop to things.

It's been pouring here all morning, which might make this afternoon's NBA Day of Service a bit challenging. Gerald is scheduled to participate in a Habitat for Humanity home build in East New Orleans later today. After having the morning off, Rashad will also be back out in the community this afternoon, helping with some refurbishments to New Orleans' Capdau Elementary School. We'll be back later with more details.

Thursday, February 14
Last year Gerald took home the crown with a perfect 50 on his final attempt as he windmilled home a dunk while hurdling an All-Star table. After watching the dunk contest for years now, I'm always amazed at how these guys continue to come up with something creative and new. Neither Gerald nor Rashad are dropping many hints as to what we can expect in his encore performance, but after Wednesday night's Wolves game teammate Ryan Gomes told the media that he's seen them practicing some pretty ridiculous stuff. Needless to say, it'll be worth tuning in to TNT Saturday night to find out. The contest should get rolling around 9 p.m.

Before we get to the big event, though, the NBA has a busy schedule in place for Gerald and Rashad over the next two days, and we'll do our best to bring you along for the ride.

The two both arrived in New Orleans late (Thursday) afternoon and made their way to the players' hotel, which was swarming with NBA staff but short on (all-) star power, at least for the time being. Most of the Rookie/Sophomore participants have made their way down here, but the biggest names won't be arriving until later.

Rashad took advantage of the downtime to complete his NBAE circuit, which included interviews and photo shoots with NBA TV and NBA Entertainment. After that he was off to compete in an 8-Ball Tournament hosted by Alonzo Mourning and Magic Johnson, and he came prepared with his own cue, so clearly he was in it to win it. We'll try to find out tomorrow how he fared.

Gerald's schedule for the night included the EA Sports NBA Live 08 Challenge Party, where he was scheduled to join a host of other young stars including Kevin Durant, Brandon Roy and Deron Williams in a video game showdown for All-Star weekend bragging rights. I didn't see him carrying around his own controller or anything, but anyone who's seen Gerald on the practice court knows he enjoys talking a little trash, so I'm sure he'll have his game face on as well. Again, results to come...

Tomorrow's schedule is jam-packed with media sessions and community events (and, obviously, parties, parties and more parties), so check back for more updates.