Hip-hop stars, NBA greats and Hollywood’s finest all converged in Los Angeles for the 2011 NBA All-Star weekend. Rolling out magazine’s production crew (Terry Shropshire, Ric Mathis, Mike Melendy and I) provided up-to-the-minute coverage of the weekend festivities. –amir shaw
Thursday, Feb. 17
8:00 p.m.:
After landing in Los Angeles at 4 p.m., I made my way through the lightest traffic of the entire weekend to view Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s documentary On the Shoulders of Giants at the Belasco Theater. The touching documentary provides insight on an all-black basketball team from Harlem that played from the 1920s until the ’40s. Carmelo Anthony, Quincy Jones and Bill Russell attended the screening.
Friday:
Noon
The NBA All-Stars held a press conference at the J.W. Marriot downtown. Nearly 1,000 journalists surrounded the 20 players in order to get a few quotes. After jockeying for position in the small ballroom, ro secured interviews with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard and Kevin Garnett.
8:00 p.m. until 2:00 a.m.
With several events occurring simultaneously, it was important for our production crew to split up in order to capture complete cover of the hottest events. Shrophire covered the NBA All-Star celebrity game, which featured players such as Scottie Pippen, Justin Beiber, Common and Romeo Miller.
Melendy covered Shaquille O’Neal’s Comedy show and shot exclusive video footage of Kevin Hart.
I attended the Rookie/Sophmore All-Star game, which showcased the most talented first- and second-year players. The Washington Wizards’ John Wall walked away with MVP honors.
Saturday
3:00 p.m.
Thousands of fans lined up outside of the Chinese Theater to witness Kobe Bryant become the first athlete to be honored in cement at the historic theater. Only a few of Bryant’s fans actually got a chance to enter the theater to view the ceremony, which was hosted by Jimmy Kimmel.
6:00 p.m.
Moments after Carmelo Anthony met with Jay-Z and the owner of the New Jersey Nets to discuss the possibility of a trade, Ric Mathis and Tarin Harris scored an exclusive one-on-one interview with the All-Star forward.
8:00 p.m.
With torrential rain adding to the chaotic L.A. traffic, it took nearly an hour to drive into Los Angeles from Bevery Hills. When I finally made it to the Staples Center, I got a chance to witness the most creative slam dunk contest ever. Blake Griffin won the title after dunking over a Kia Optima.
11:00 p.m.
LeBron James and Jay-Z held their annual dinner at Craft in Beverly Hills. Beyonce, Paul Allen (CEO of Microsoft), Diddy, Kanye West, DeWayne Wade and Rihanna were all in attendance for the dinner which benefited the Boys & Girls Club. Jay-Z spoke about providing opportunities for inner city kids to have a chance at success.
12:30 a.m.
Mike Melendy shot video footage of Snoop Dogg live in concert. Teyanna Taylor was also captured doing a sexy dance.
Sunday:
2:00 p.m.
Shropshire and I spoke with NBA fans at Venice Beach about their favorite moments of All-Star weekend.
5:00 p.m.
The streets of L.A. were filled with fans wearing their favorite NBA jerseys. Inside, celebrities such Jay-Z and Beyoncé, Diddy, Spike Lee, Kayne West, Lil Wayne and Keri Hilson watched as Kobe Bryant led the West to a victory over the East in the NBA All-Star game.
