| |
|
2020 All-Star Weekend --- NBA takes Chicago by storm (PHOTOS)
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 15 Feb 2020
CHICAGO -- A blast of below zero degrees wind chill enveloped this city on Friday but it could not freeze the excitement of the NBA All-Star weekend that landed here for the first time since 1988.
PhilBoxing.com received one of the 450 international media credentials that were issued to 54 countries. And we sure did make good use of the all-access pass.
The Friday festivities began with the opening of the Basketball Without Borders (BWB) Camp where Filipino sensation and NBA hopeful Kai Sotto showcased his vastly-improved skills.
An attempt to interview him was politely pushed back by the NBA, which stated in an email that the former Ateneo star will only conduct a media availability session at the conclusion of camp on Sunday afternoon (early Monday morning RP time).
The Celebrity Game dribbled away at Windtrust arena before a modest but enthusiastic crowd. Team Wilbom beat Tea, Stephen A. Smith, 62-47, and Chicago rapper Common bagged MVP honors with 20 points.
Hours before tip-off at Windtrust, PhilBoxing.com was able to interview former two-time MVP Steve Nash who spoke effusively about his one-time visit to the Philippines.
"I had an amazing time. Beautiful country. Thanks for the support," he said.
Meanwhile at the United Center, Team USA clobbered Team World, 151-131, in the Rising Stars Challenge.
The fans got the bang for their big bucks on this one as the contest featured a combined 41 dunks, including a rim-bending rim-rattler by New Orleans Pelicans rookie Zion Williamson.
In the end, Miles Bridges of Team USA, annexed MVP honors with 20 points.
Photos: Steve Nash enjoys a light moment with the author. Chris Paul was at the United Center cheering on Team USA. Zion Williamson, a mountain of a man, strides pass the arena hallways after the event while a giant mural of Luca Doncic looms over the United Center.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS & TURNING STONE RESORT CASINO PRESENT CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28 - VERONA, NY
, Sat, 10 Jan 2026ELIF TURHAN SIGNS NEW MULTI-FIGHT DEAL WITH MATCHROOM BOXING – FIRST IBF WORLD TITLE DEFENCE DATE SET FOR SATURDAY, JANUARY 31
, Sat, 10 Jan 2026Driving Philippine Tennis Forward: Jean Henri Lhuillier Champions the 2026 Cebuana Lhuillier Tennis Tour
By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 10 Jan 20262026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
, Sat, 10 Jan 2026‘I’m ready to make some noise’ Billy Quinncroft returns for Cruiserweight title Clash March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
, Fri, 09 Jan 2026Dableo and Laylo's Team to Compete in Bulacan
By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026Sanman Boxing present Yeerken vs. Carcedo WBA Asia South Title Clash in General Santos City on Feb 9
, Fri, 09 Jan 2026Hardstone adds 2 more title fights on January 26
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026Panamerican Boxing Confederation Partners with Xempower for Digital and AI-Driven Transformation
, Fri, 09 Jan 2026IGMOB TALENT GROUP Launches www.IGMOBTalent.com to Represent Fighters, Entertainers, and Rising Talent Across Sports & Media
, Fri, 09 Jan 2026SEAG Davao-based athletes eye International stints
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 09 Jan 2026Canoy banking on his ring experience against Kuse
By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026Undefeated Kansas Middleweight Prospect Marco “El Tiburon” Romero finished 2025 with 7th triumphs, all by knockout, & 11-0 record
, Thu, 08 Jan 2026Kinetix Sports aims for bigger events in 2026
By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 08 Jan 20262026 Santa Maria Town Fiesta Chess Challenge on January 26
By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 08 Jan 2026World Ranked Heavyweight Dainier Pero Headlines on Saturday, January 17th at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia
, Wed, 07 Jan 2026Jahyae Brown to Battle Arnold Gonzalez in Exciting Co-Feature on Thursday, January 15th at The War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey
, Wed, 07 Jan 2026Hendri Cedeno Seeks Monumental Victory Against Alfredo Santiago for NABO Title January 10 at Barclays Center
, Tue, 06 Jan 2026Kingsley Ibeh learned from his Loss 5 years ago to Jared Anderson
, Tue, 06 Jan 2026Unified World Cruiserweight Champion Gilberto ‘Zurdo’ Ramirez returning to Corpus Christi…as a promoter!
, Tue, 06 Jan 2026Ocum to fight Ballesteros on January 26
By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026SEA Plus Youth Games - Tolentino
By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 05 Jan 202687th Kalilangan Chess Festival Featuring Manny Pacquiao International Open to Push Through
By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 05 Jan 2026Deniega to fight Oka in Japan
By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 02 Jan 2026Illness forces Paddy Donovan to withdraw from IBF Welterweight World Eliminator January 16 versus Liam Paro in Australia
, Fri, 02 Jan 2026 |
|
|
|
|
|
