He also showed his versatility at Friday's media availability session at L.A.'s Century Plaza Hotel. The Clippers guard, who helped Yugoslavia become world champions two years ago, Jaric held an entertaining press conference, answering questions effortlessly in English, perfect Italian and his native Serbian.

By the young man's admission, he was not always comfortable in the spotlight, but a year on, the novelty has worn off for the media and Yao was notably more relaxed than last year.

"That's something I'm happy about, just being treated like another NBA player," said Yao through his interpreter Colin Pine. "I'm a lot more relaxed ... and Colin is a lot more relaxed as well."

The Commissioner used his annual address about the state of the league to bring European fans up to date with developments.

"We have launched a study of whether it was possible for the NBA to have teams in Europe by the end of the decade," said the Commissioner. "That would require new buildings, ownership groups, a certain amount of fan increase and their interest in us and the ability to pay the kind of prices that are necessary to support a franchise.

"I think we'll have a pretty good interim idea in the next six to nine months whether it is something that we should move full speed ahead on."

FOR: Marko Jaric said: "It's a good idea. Maybe it's a little bit soon but in a couple of years when a lot of these guys are grown up, people would love it."

AGAINST: Dirk Nowitzki pointed out: "That would really spice things up but I don't think we should do it. People would really get after each other and I don't think that's what the All-Star Game is all about."

OUT AND ABOUT

"I feel like an ambassador this weekend," admitted the Big Host before Sunday's tip-off. "I wanted to give people a good show, on the court and off it. Had a party on Thursday and (rappers) Busta Rhymes and Public Enemy showed up. Had a party Friday at the Playboy Mansion - everybody showed up."

"I got turned away at three parties," laughed the Toronto Raptors guard/forward. "I've still got much love for L.A. I guess they just don't want me in their clubs."

And although there were only two L.A. natives in the All-Star Game, one of them, New Orleans Hornets guard Baron Davis, had a particularly memorable weekend. B.D. was an impressive winner of the 989 Skills Challenge.

After California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger welcomed the sell-out crowd, hip-hop group Outkast led player introductions while the Canadian and U.S. national anthems were sung by Nelly Furtado and Christina Aguilera, respectively.

All-Star Saturday had also provided a musical highpoint with Nona Gaye singing the national anthem in a "duet" with her late father Marvyn via the use of a giant screen TV. Later on Sunday, the NBA made a pretty good substitution, bringing Beyonce and Michael McDonald off the bench for the half-time show.

Denzel Washington, Will Smith, Elliot Gould, Paris Hilton, Ted Danson and wife Mary Steenburger, Chris Tucker, Andy Garcia, Serena Williams, supermodel Naomi Campbell, recently retired British world heavyweight champ Lennox Lewis, hip-hop stars P. Diddy and Jay-Z, Gladys Knight, Joe Pesci ....

Sometimes, it seemed more like a night at the Oscars or Grammys than a basketball match.

Oh, and of course no Staples Center game would be complete without the Lakers number one celebrity fan - Jack Nicholson.

LOOKING AHEAD

The two friends also showed they have developed a good rapport in the interview room as well as on the floor. The pair were asked who is the better player, a question which brought the following quick response:

LEBRON: Carmelo.
CARMELO: We'll let you all decide that.
LEBRON: I don't play basketball that good.

Western Conference coach Flip Saunders, who will welcome back his London-based center Michael Olowokandi to practice with his Minnesota Timberwolves this week after a lengthy injury lay-off, is certainly thinking in those terms.

"Hopefully Michael will bring us a defensive presence and rebounding presence for us to make a viable run at the championship," said Flip.

Sam Cassell had another view on the team to beat in the West. The Timberwolves guard said: "Who won the championship last year? The Spurs won last year. The Spurs are the team to beat."

Last word, however, has to belong to - who else? - Shaquille O'Neal.

Asked which team was favourite for the 2004 NBA Championship, the Lakers giant replied: "My team. Pure and simple!"

Ian Whittell is a veteran journalist and currently serves as the NBA writer for The Times. He has been covering the NBA for 10 years and this year will mark his ninth straight year of covering the NBA All-Star Game.