Basketball's golden era

By Mark Woods
BBC Sport in Phoenix

NBA highlights - from All-Star Sunday

On Sunday evening in Phoenix, the stars of the NBA were out in force.

The anointed 24-strong elite of basketball had amassed for the All-Star Game, with the stellar Eastern Conference side taking on their Western counterparts.

As a contest, it was less than enthralling. The West, benefiting from their extra size, dominated in the second half to pull away for a 146-119 victory.

The main intrigue was that Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal, one-time comrades at the Los Angeles Lakers, fellow representatives of the victorious Western Conference, shared the game's Most Valuable Player prize.

Bryant displays some of the skills that saw him named joint MVP

"Kobe is the best player in the league," said O'Neal of Bryant, who scored a game-best 27 points.

"He has been the best player in the league, so A-Plus on that side. And A-Plus for being a great guy.

"He even let me take the trophy home for my boys so I appreciate him for that. Two A-Pluses."

This weekend was not about just one game, however. All-Star is - as overseen by David Stern, the commissioner of the NBA - his league's very own version of Super Bowl.

Similar to the climax to the NFL campaign in Tampa two weeks previous, this is a vast jamboree, incorporating an array of subsidiary contests, a NBA-themed fun fair, community activities and a plethora of parties attracting a heavy sprinkling of Hollywood's A-List.

However, where it differs from the NFL's competing showcase is that the central contest is essentially meaningless, save for the bragging rights, the opportunity to publicise the league's new generation and to prove that there is life after Michael Jordan.

"I really do believe that, based on the talent on display this weekend that I have seen we are in a golden age of basketball, that the appreciation of our game is really as high as it has been in recent memory," said Stern, who has now run the NBA for 25 years.

"People are beginning to understand what our players are capable of doing.

"And our players do it and they understand that they are being counted upon to entertain, especially in these difficult times."

Howard is challenged by Yao Ming in the All-Star Game

One such player is Dwight Howard, the 23-year-old Orlando Magic centre.

A testimony to his popularity is that 3,150,181 people worldwide cast their votes for him in the ballot to select the starting line-ups for the National Basketball Association's annual All Star Game.

Not quite Obama numbers. But not bad at all.

"It is amazing, something I didn't know would happen," said Howard, whose tally was a record.

"The fans are the best, they're the reason we come out every night to play basketball."

As Stern stresses repeatedly, the NBA is a partnership between its owners and its performers.

Which is why, in the midst of an arduous 82-game regular season, there is little grumbling about receiving the summons to All Star, despite the myriad promotional and media obligations that accompany the honour.

Some would, no doubt, rather have taken the four-day break enjoyed by those who have been left out in the cold.

Los Angeles Lakers coach Phil Jackson, at the helm of the West, would gladly have spent the weekend resting in his Montana ranch.

606: DEBATE Discuss the All Star Game

Yet, away from the spotlight, the gathering is a rare opportunity for players who normally sweat blood to outshine each other to form personal bonds.

"Often, the only times you get a chance to see anyone is the night before a game during the season," explains New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul.

"Whereas here you can catch up on different things you've been going through and enjoy each other for three to four days.

"Every year that they have an All-Star Game, the guys you're playing with, you have that connection, sort of like a little fraternity or something. I think every NBA player strives to be a part of it."

Meanwhile, the league has postponed confirming which teams will be despatched to play a pre-season game at the 02 Arena in London in October.

It is understood that the Chicago Bulls, featuring GB international Luol Deng, will be included but an announcement is now expected next month.

Watch the top ten plays from the NBA All-Star game.