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WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
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"From what everybody tells me, he's got some tricks."
--NBA vice president Rod Thorn on Charlotte's Ricky Davis, Antawn Jamison's slam dunk contest replacement.
"I'm going to throw the ball up, travel, whatever I have to do to get it done."
-- Philly guard Larry Hughes on what he'll do in the Slam Dunk contest.
"Everybody already knows who that is -- Vince."
-- Jamison on who he thinks might win the contest now.
"I just pray that he just goes out there and has fun. You can just tell after practice, he's practicing his dunks and asking everybody about the dunk contest. I just told him, 'Hey, go have fun. You're young, you can jump out of the gym. Everything you do everybody is going to love anyway, so don't worry about it.'"
-- Toronto's Antonio Davis on Vince Carter.
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We'd like to say that after first dealing with the "Jesse" reruns on the plane, we arrived in California, the sun was shining and the fans by the bay were filled with joyous expectations of All-Star 2000 weekend, but we can't. We are now big fans of Christina Applegate, however.
First of all, on the California front, it was pouring much of Thursday. Second, the best hope Warriors fans could cling to put on a show to be proud of this weekend -- since it's not often someone from a 12-35 team is chosen for Sunday's big game -- is no longer competing on Saturday.
Antawn Jamison, who as we have pointed out a number of times in Around The Rim, has become a very nice player and someone who no longer pales in comparison to that other Tar Heel he was dealt for, will now miss the Rookie and Slam Dunk competitions because of an injury. It's a shame, really, but as Karl Malone will surely tell you, it's the regular season that really counts. Especially when you're going for 22 wins on the season.
Which brings us to the Mailman, who also made a little news on Thursday when he decided he actually did know the way to San Jos ... um ... San Francisco. You think Malone actually had a chance to weasel out of this weekend? Normally, when a player says he can't play, nobody questions it.
The first sign that Malone was going to be here was when the NBA didn't name Clifford Robinson or Antonio McDyess right away as replacements. For those keeping score, it's now David Stern 1, Karl Malone 0.
Even without Jamison and with grumpy Malone, this will be a great weekend. On Friday the players will be made available to the media and we will be talking to them and summing up the day Saturday morning.
The main thing going on here on Friday is the Jam Session. Hey, Kobe sang a song here yesterday. Normally only four days, this event is now seven days and clearly geared to the younger generation. Jamison was the official spokesperson, whatever that means. Held in a 300,000 square foot tent next to The Arena in Oakland, kids can dunk, shoot, play bungee basketball, record their own fantasy play-by-play, make trading cards, and a lot more. It's pretty cool.
For what the All-Stars are up to, check out our Viewer's Guide for a complete rundown of what's going on Saturday and Sunday. We'll also have Around The Rim on Saturday and Sunday.
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JASON JACKSON'S DEEP THOUGHTS
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Well, we're here by the Bay for the big weekend. Friday at All-Star weekend is always interesting, as this is the time we all get acquainted with the players. Some of them -- like Jason Kidd and KG -- played last night so they will be late arrivals today. But overall today is the kind of day that we all get ourselves ready to go and prepare for tomorrow's activities.
It's really an amazing phenomenon here in Oakland. The NBA Jam Session is a great experience for the fans, lots of interactive fun. The most interesting thing about this weekend is people anticipated there wouldn't be the fever here in Oakland because a lot of people are staying in San Francisco. But I see the excitement in two cities! This place is rockin' and the NBA has done a great job so far.
ESPN.com's Viewer's Guide
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Before we get to the All-Star Game...
This seems like as good a time as any to sum up what we've seen in the Association for the last 3+ months. So, here are a few topics and our thoughts about them.
Surprises (teams): We all knew the Blazers and Lakers would be good. Same with the Spurs. Now raise your hand if you thought Minnesota would be this good. No way. Also, Utah never seems to get old. In the East, Philly has been without Allen Iverson and barely with Larry Hughes, but Larry Brown still gets it done. And Toronto's was supposed to need another year.
But to us, Seattle and Orlando are the biggest surprises. After Gary Payton, and possibly a rejuvenated Vin Baker, the Sonics didn't figure to get much scoring from other places. Ruben Patterson may be your comeback player of the year and Brent Barry -- finally -- has become a very good team player. Meanwhile, many observers figured Doc Rivers would be lucky to win 15 games and might challenge for the worst record ever. Orlando may make the playoffs, somehow.
On the negative side, we figured if Derek Anderson emerged (he has) and Maurice Taylor started rebounding the ball (he has) and Lamar Odom blossomed (he has), the Clips would win a bunch. Um, no. Also, with Stephon Marbury and Keith Van Horn around, the Nets have no excuse for losing 50.
Surprises (players): Among veterans, our choices are Jerome Williams and Dirk Nowitzki. Williams rebounded the ball last season, but now he's among the league leaders and showing some offensive game. Dirk is about the only correct move Don Nelson has made. The 7-footer has range and can play center.
MVP: It can't be Scottie Pippen, no matter how many games the Blazers win. You still have to have the stats to win this award. Big, big stats. The Lakers' slump has put a little crimp in Shaq's runaway here. If Minnesota wins the Midwest, we say Kevin Garnett wins it. Gary Payton, Jason Kidd, Tim Duncan, Chris Webber, Alonzo Mourning, Allen Iverson and Vince Carter are having wonderful seasons, but only one person can win it, and we pick KG.
Best story: That we no longer have to refer to anyone as the next Michael Jordan. We have the first Garnett and first Carter.
Worst story: The death of Bobby Phills was the most tragic story. We don't need to explain. The awful Clippers, Wizards and other teams that don't seem to care is just sad, but not tragic.
Eric Karabell is the NBA editor for ESPN.com.
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ALSO SEE
NBA All-Star Game 2000
Sunday Postcard from NBA All-Star Weekend
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