OperationSports.com's NBA All-Star Weekend Diary

Courtesy of Sony Computer Entertainment America

Introduction:

From February 16^th to the 20^th, Shawn Drotar, OperationSports.com's Managing Editor was in Houston - courtesy of Sony Computer Entertaiment America - to cover NBA All-Star Weekend. In a multi-part series, he'll discuss the events on and off the court that comprise the one-of-a-kind-experience.

***

Welcome to Houston! From the temporary OperationSports.com field HQ at the downtown Hotel Icon, I experienced the sights and sounds of NBA All-Star Weekend, thanks to our good friends at Sony.

This week, I'll give you an insider's perspective - how it all went down, who was moving and shaking, and what Sony did not only with the NBA, but with the Houston community, as well.

This was a once in a lifetime experience, and I'd like to thank Sony's Ron Eagle, Paul Murphy, Alex Armour and Eric Raymond of BNC for making it possible.

These fellas know sports - and they know the sporting community - so the next time you pick up a SCEA San Diego game and marvel at the attention to detail… well, now you know where they get it from: Experience.

- SD

PART 1 - Sony, Stoudamire team up for Texas Childrens' Hospital

On Friday, February 17^th, Sony had planned a wonderful trip, dear to my heart, and I was delighted to accompany them.

Texas Childrens' Hospital has a fantastic ward for sick children, many of whom are hooked up to IV drips and various other machines 24/7. This ward, set up in part by Hall of Fame NFL quarterback Troy Aikman, has an upbeat, active atmosphere for a hospital facility, and it has a distinct sports flavor to it, as well.

Today, Sony and a special guest were going to add to it, and brighten more than a few children's days.

Amare Stoudamire, the injured star forward for the Phoenix Suns, had flown into Houston specifically for this event, and the bright, windowed room in the high-rise downtown hospital had been made ready for his arrival.

The Sony staff was assisted by ham-handed writers, including yours truly, as we set up the room with five slimline PlayStation 2's and five PlayStation Portables, and fired up copies of Sony's latest hoops opus, NBA '06: The Life. We laid out visors and stacked T-shirts and lined the windowsills with over a hundred PlayStation games of all varieties, and the children's ward began buzzing with excitement as a few children and their parents started to trickle in; some toting their IV drip's beside them, some being pushed in wheelchairs. Doctors began to make their way in as well, with smiles on their faces as they watched the children cheerfully scoop up controllers and start playing some PS2 roundball.

There was no standing on ceremony here - this was a gift for the kids, and no one was going to ask them to wait for someone to make a speech or anything of the sort. The games were here to be played - and played they were.

When Stoudamire stepped into the room, young eyes lit up as brightly as the flashbulbs that began to pop all around the ward. The large man's demeanor belied his size, as he gently shook hands with children and their parents; introducing himself personally each time. This wasn't a large media event, and Amare didn't preen for any cameras. Instead, he played a game with any child that wanted to challenge him on the PlayStation, and somehow managed to hold his own, despite continually signing autographs.

After many minutes, the ward had filled with doctors, nurses, hospital staffers who occasionally needed to clear a wide path for yet another child who wished to meet the 6'10" friendly giant, who took the time to sign hats, T-shirts, or anything else that the children had brought with them. If they asked for two autographs, Stoudamire signed two with a smile and an occasional pat on the head.

Their were a few mothers with tears in their eyes as their children draped themselves in their newly-signed but still tent-like shirts, and curled the brims of their caps - just right. The word had gotten out that all these games and PlayStations were staying, and jaws were open in surprise briefly before the children were excitedly telling their parents what games they would play next time.

There was no rush to disperse, no quick departure spurred by an overzealous agent. Stoudamire stayed, talking, signing and playing with the children until they invariably had to return to their rooms and rest.

When speaking with Stoudamire after the event, I asked him why he chose to come here - why he chose to donate his time when so many other athletes do not.

"It's always a great feeling to put smiles on kids' faces," he said - sporting a wide one himself. "That's the main thing; just come out and enjoy the time and make sure the kids enjoy themselves. I go to the children's hospital (in Phoenix); try to go a few times when I can. It's important to try and brighten their day."

As I helped surgeons pack up boxes of games to be enjoyed over and over again in a now-quiet ward, I couldn't help but notice the sun shining down, sparkling diffused through the partly-drawn shades and reflecting off the glistening towers of downtown Houston.

Today was bright, indeed.

PART 2 - The Conscience of the "King"

It's Friday afternoon, and we're racing across sprawling Houston to the JW Marriott in the Galleria. Word is that NBA Commissioner David Stern likes the hotel, and that's why the NBA chose a site that might just be the most strategically inconvenient place in the city to reach. Who knows if that's truly the case or not, but there are two things to be sure of: first, the Galleria's a pretty place, and second, it couldn't be further from every other relevant All-Star location without leaving Houston itself.

Our driver's doing his best, but Houston traffic is a legendary challenge even under the best of conditions - and those don't occur on a Friday afternoon when the NBA All-Star Game is in town.

Eventually, we reach the hotel, and then it's time to pick up our NBA Media credentials, hard-won after proving your identity, occupation and essentially signing your life away before departing for Texas. Scampering across the hotel lobby and up one flight to the NBA Media room, we're relieved to see there's no line. Relieved, that is, until the NBA staffer informs me that my background check hadn't been completed yet. As the sands slip through the hourglass, the NBA Media team does an admirable job of finishing my background check, taking my photo and getting my credentials ready, as well as providing me with schedules and a handy bag to carry my notepads, tape recorder and camera in - was it that obvious that I looked like a pack mule at that point?

We were all officially credentialed members of the NBA Media, and with a nod, we were off, moving through Houston traffic like a herd of turtles.

As we leave the JW, traffic has gotten worse - a lot worse - and there's a bit of nervousness in the car, partially from the bustling, tree-lined thoroughfare, and partially from anticipation of what's to come next.

You see, we're in a rush because Sony has organized a special and rare event - especially during the outrageously busy All-Star Weekend - we're headed to the downtown Hilton to hold court with none other than they man they call "King".

After what seemed like an eternity in the car, we arrive at the Hilton and step into a whirlwind of activity. Bulls guard Ben Gordon plows right into my back, nearly knocking me over as I try to check in with my credentials. He politely apologized to the top of my head.

NBA players line the halls as Boston's Paul Pierce and Detroit's Rasheed Wallace stride by, doing their best to remain as anonymous as tall, slender fellows wearing outrageously expensive jewelry can.

After meeting up with Sports Illustrated's Arash Markazi, a charming and knowledgeable fellow who'd be joining us for the interview, we were escorted to a conference room a few stories up, where LeBron James was playing Sony's NBA '06: The Life on a PSP, a tiny thing in his massive paws. James played a virtual version of the PlayStation Skills Challenge, an event in which he would compete the next day - I'd have to ask him if it helped afterwards, given the chance. As LeBron uttered the brilliantly third-person "'Bron 'Bron has other priorities," he proceeded to almost leave the room. When he was told that he was scheduled to spend ten more minutes talking to the press, he looked a bit unhappy for a brief moment, but obliged - despite looking more than a bit haggard.

He seemed to loosen up a bit after chatting about his fondness for the PSP, the three iPods he carries with him, and then about his… admiration for women's' tennis and Maria Sharapova in particular. "That day might present itself," he said with a thoughtful look as it was suggested by ESPN's Bill Simmons that they should meet and become America's next celebrity power couple. No word if LeBron had seen Sports Illustrated's swimsuit issue at this point - I should have asked him. Arash would no doubt have been pleased.

He's undoubtedly the face of the NBA, only 21 years old and a father at 19. Blessed with unlimited talent and potential, he's only just begun to cement his legacy, one that - if he follows the unwritten rules exemplified by the man they called "Air" - may surpass even Jordan himself.

James is fascinating; although he's obviously a disciple of the Michael Jordan School for Media Relations: be clever, be funny, but never come close to saying anything even remotely controversial for fear of dissuading any potential advertisers.

He's David Stern's marketing dream, and he carries himself with a confidence beyond his years - but I can't help but think that there's a lot more behind that oh-so-corporate façade.

As fate would have it, I'd turn out to be right.

***

The following day, Sony had set up a photo op with the four contestants of the PlayStation Skills Challenge: Reigning NBA MVP Steve Nash of the Suns, likely Rookie of the Year Chris Paul of the Hornets, Miami Heat star and eventual PlayStation Skills Challenge winner Dwyane Wade, and the aforementioned James.

As any four media-types would be, we were excited to have the opportunity to get some good shots of the players, but as it surprisingly turned out, we weren't going to be taking pictures of them, we'd be taking pictures with them.

We waited in the bowels of the Toyota Center, on the Rockets' practice court, and at this point, we'd been around basketball so much, we were tempted to grab a ball off the rack and start playing. We didn't, of course, and we found another distraction; the adjacent weight room was being used as the makeup room for the Miami Heat dance team, and the completely open wall had ensured that more than a few glances were thrown in that direction.

Eventually, LeBron James came down, and shot a quick commercial for TNT. It was interesting to watch it as it happened - James was on a spinning platform, and spoke a few lines into the camera - the whole exercise took less than five minutes. Afterwards, we were shuffled into a makeshift photo studio, set up on the baseline of the practice court, where the four players were posing for promotional photos. A group of children for the NBA Cares charity were also waiting, as they would be posing with the players for their own photo.

The photographers positioned us into place, with me kneeling next to a seated James and in front of a standing Wade when "King James" nudged my shoulder.

"Are those the PlayStation Air Force Ones," he asked? I nodded. The shoes - which I later discovered are much in demand among certain sneaker aficionados - were a gift from Sony that I wore in gratitude. Plus - they do look pretty cool…

LeBron nodded back with a low whistle as Wade pressed up against my back to peer over me towards my feet.

"Those are hot."

As the flashbulbs went off for the photos, I had seen through the veneer - here was the real LeBron James - a 21-year old kid who still gets excited about the latest Nike kicks.

I couldn't help but smile for the camera.

***

That night, James finished second in the PlayStation Skills Challenge to Dwyane Wade - who by winning the Challenge, also won $84,000 worth of free PSP's for 350 lucky fans in section 416 of the Toyota Center. "I feel great," Wade said when asked how it felt winning the portable game systems for the fans. "They were cheering me, saying 'we love Wade', and it's great anytime fans, you know - like you.

"Section four-one-six did a great job of rooting me on, so I'm glad I can give them a gift; give them a PlayStation."

As James came off the court, Sony's representatives were able to place us on the apron at the entrance to the players' tunnel, giving me the opportunity to be the first person to speak to James after the event finished.

I asked him if his preparation helped him in the event, including his time with the PlayStation part of the PlayStation Skills Challenge, and if the event was easier or more difficult then he expected.

"You know, it was easier than I thought it would be," James said. "Those things - those obstacles in this game are the same things I go through in every game, and I was able to complete some of them."

The shades were drawn again, and the perfectly politic LeBron James was back.

Maybe this is the real LeBron, as well. He's most comfortable on the floor, with the spotlights tightly focused on him while he plays on one of the world's grandest stages. The next night, he'd become the MVP of the All-Star Game, perhaps a more formal coronation for the man whom many people believe is the league's finest player - the prince who had become king.

Shakespeare wrote in "Hamlet", "The play's the thing wherein I'll catch the conscience of the King." I didn't ask if LeBron knows Shakespeare, but it's obvious that the words of "The Bard" still apply - even to basketball.

PART 3 - Party All the Time

It's been a week since I returned from Houston. My body has more or less recovered, my hearing has returned, and my recollections of the All-Star nightlife have finally coalesced in my mind.

Huge swaths of downtown Houston were closed at night, making navigation difficult by car, but since it was unseasonably cold all weekend, people walking were huddled together, thin shirts and too-short skirts ensuring that both men and women alike would find a good, Texas-sized party and stay there for as long as possible.

So it was with us, as our Sony hosts hooked us up with invites to an exclusive Nike party on Thursday to celebrate the launch of the new Zoom Kobe 1 shoe, with #8 himself in the house to talk about it.

After creating a shoe with the design experts from NikeID.com in the thumping office-building-become-club, we grabbed a drink and some tasty morsels from the wandering waitresses while waiting for Kobe to make his appearance. When he did, Bobbito Garcia (you may know him from the NBA Street series of video games) got the crowd fired up for the interview. Kobe was remarkably candid - and I wasn't sure if I was admiring his candor or recoiling from his arrogance. With Kobe, it's tough to tell which is which sometimes - but that's what makes him so fascinating. After being asked by a partygoer how he compared to Michael Jordan - which ruffled his feathers - Kobe relaxed a bit and even got a laugh or two.

After revealing that he felt Miami's Dwayne Wade was the league's second-best shooting guard, he was asked if Wade or San Antonio's Manu Ginobili gave him any trouble defensively.

Kobe's bone-dry retort? "Please. No way," as the house broke into laughter.

Of course, my favorite thing to do at parties like this is people-watch, and I wasn't alone. As soon as the Raiders' Warren Sapp stepped into the club, a group of people took friendly bets on how quickly the leggy blonde with the short skirt and crop-top would take to sidle up to him.

I should have taken the "under".

***

On Friday, we started the party parade at Nike's NEXT party - at the same place, but with a distinctly different feel. All the photos in the club had been changed from basketball players to hip-hop performers, and the club's focus shifted from basketball shoes to dancing ones.

The dance floor was full, as young NBA stars like Charlotte's Sean May and Toronto's Charlie Villanueva proved that men on the dance floor were best seen in movies - although when NBA stars flop around, they attract a crowd more comely than you or I for obvious reasons.

The highlight of this party was clear; watching LeBron James - replete with oversized sparkling gold sunglasses on - throw his hands in the air, and wave them like he didn't care…

Next, we made our way to 1001 McKinney, where Brand Jordan - and "MJ" himself - was celebrating both his birthday and the launch of the new Air Jordan XXI's.

The gathering throng outside the building made us a little nervous, even though we were invited guests with hard-to-come-by tickets, and when the doorman said the club was full, we figured we might be headed elsewhere for the evening - until our hosts made their presence known, that is (surprisingly, I don't seem to have enough clout to get into these events simply by rolling up to the door).

When the world's foremost entertainment company (Sony) meets the world's foremost athletic company (Nike), it's safe to say that the rubber hits the road. After the right credentials were flashed and the right people spoken to, we were whisked into the shockingly large and star-packed club.

The rest of the evening bordered on the surreal.

You see, at these parties, there are plenty of instantly recognizable faces, but just as many anonymous ones. But just because they're anonymous-looking doesn't mean that they aren't movers and shakers in the sports and entertainment worlds. The end result is that once you're in - you're in - and you're basically accepted into the larger group. There was a VIP area, of course, but the floor was filled with plenty of celebrities and athletes nevertheless. In a relatively short span of time, I had met with John Lucas, a great coach and even better person, Buffalo Bills running back Willis McGahee, who was shorter than I expected, rookie Nuggets forward Linas Kleiza, who seemed a bit out of place and happy to talk to someone else from Denver, and fellow University of Colorado alum and current Detroit Piston Chauncey Billups, who then proceeded to introduce me to his friends as "my boy from CU".

As the evening drew on, I wandered towards an area of the club with extraordinary Jordan memorabilia, including signed posters and jerseys, but the centerpiece was a very large glass case that housed 21 autographed pairs of Air Jordans - one of each model throughout the years. All of these items were being auctioned off, with the proceeds going to Habitat for Humanity to benefit victims of Hurricane Katrina.

A digital board nearby kept updated tallies on the latest bids; the signed Air Jordan collection was currently at $425,000 - and the bidder happened to be standing next to me as I admired the collection through the glass.

"Nice, huh," asked Mark Cuban, the maverick Mavericks owner, just before taking another swig from his beer bottle. Cuban's larger than life, boisterous and funny. He has an amusing habit this evening of sampling his friends' drinks, and seems even more excited about the success of his two Oscar-nominated films this year, "Good Night, and Good Luck." and "Enron: The Smartest Guys in the Room" - Cuban was executive producer of each film, and has ten more films in the pipeline - then he is the success of the Mavericks. Eventually, former Mavericks and now Phoenix Suns superstar Steve Nash makes his way to Cuban and the two happily catch up as I leave what was a fascinating conversation to join my group.

Michael Jordan and his entourage walk right by us as they leave the building before the clock strikes two and staffers and police comb the facility, taking drinks away from partygoers - making it clear in no uncertain terms that this party is over.

It's time to go - but what a night.

***

It would have been hard to top the Jordan XXI release party, but in terms of pure entertainment, the exclusive T-Mobile party on Saturday night trumped it - and good.

The tent, not far from the Toyota Center, started bouncing just after Nate Robinson walked off the Rockets' home court with the Slam Dunk contest trophy, and we entered with our Sony counterparts right before the party was about to explode.

The bright white tent was warm and lushly appointed, with leather couches, an extravagant bar, an impressive stage, and even included a surprisingly popular row of "Pop-A-Shot" type basketball hoops in the back. As DJ AM and Blink 182's Travis Barker took the stage for a remarkable energetic performance, I shared a drink with Brandon Routh, the latest actor to don the famous Superman costume for this summer's "Superman Returns". He's a pleasant, unpretentious fellow, but soon enough, he had other, more attractive guests commanding his attention; and understandably, the newest "Man of Steel" needed to fly.

The tent was bouncing as Pharrell (Williams) took the stage, but the tent almost blew away entirely when Snoop Dogg took the stage in a cloud of smoke and performed "Drop It Like It's Hot" together with Pharrell.

Jay-Z and Beyonce tried to stealthily sneak into the club and catch the performers, but to no avail - they were noticed instantly, and didn't stay for long.

The tent was spacious, the crowd was small and celebrity-laden, and after the impressive array of performers finally left the stage, everyone in the T-Mobile tent knew that they had attended something special.

We got in our cars and headed back to the Hotel Icon, energized and sleepy all at the same time.

Houston was slowly returning to normal, and by Monday morning, it was back to business as usual - for the city, for the NBA, for Sony, and for me.

***

I'd like to take another moment to thank Ron, Paul, Alex and Eric, along with the entire Sony, BNC and Nike crews for putting this fabulous event together. With unprecedented access and far-better treatment than we ink-stained (er, pixel-stained?) media types are accustomed to (and probably deserve!), this was a one-of-a-kind experience, and I'm happy and proud to have been able to bring the stories to everyone here at Operation Sports.

Special thanks also go to my comrades-in-arms for the weekend: Maxim Online's Paul Ulane, a man whose phenomenally dry wit was only counterbalanced by the riotously funny and adventurous Justin Leeper, and Steve Mulholland of Sole Collector Magazine, who's introduced me to the world of sneaker culture… which means, on second thought - after checking my wallet, maybe I shouldn't thank him at all…