| |
|
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:
Blood, Grit, and Iron: Zhu Outlasts Abne in a Cebu War By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 10 May 2026Tickets ON SALE NOW for Abdullah Mason-Joe Cordina at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center , Sat, 09 May 2026IM Jan Emmanuel Garcia bags gold in ASEAN E-Sports chess qualifying round By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 09 May 2026Wardley vs Dubois: Heavyweight Tussle in Manchester By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 09 May 2026Fireworks Expected as Cebu's Arañas and Noynay Rumble for WBF Silver Belt By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 09 May 2026Keyshawn Davis: "Nahir Albright’s Going To Be the Fourth Guy I Stop in a Row!" , Sat, 09 May 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: Cinco De Mayo, A Historic Celebration Of Boxing By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Fri, 08 May 2026Abne, Zhu Make Weight for IBF Eliminator in Cebu; Winner Fights Taduran By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 08 May 2026IBA presents stacked fight card for May 21 event in Mexico City , Fri, 08 May 2026Laurente to promote amateur boxing By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 08 May 2026Heavyweight Gustavo Trujillo Has a New Date Returns May 30 at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale , Fri, 08 May 2026Toro Promotions & Whitfield Haydon Officially Announce ‘Sizzling Summer Boxing Series’ , Fri, 08 May 2026Jean Henri Lhuillier Drives ASAPHIL’s Winning System Through Long-Term Vision and Coaching Continuity By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 08 May 2026Dy ready to face Malignaggi in BKB on May 16 By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 07 May 2026‘A younger lion always comes for that old lions spot. Your time is up, GET OUT OF MY WAY! – Manny Ritti challenges former ONE FC World Champion Nobutsu Suzuki May 29 in Perth – Thunderdome 54 , Thu, 07 May 2026Kenia Enriquez Signs Multi-Year Contract with Latin KO Promotions , Thu, 07 May 2026FM Habla, Madriaga win Armageddon for IIEE-PSME Quezon City in PCAP By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 07 May 2026Undefeated heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor Graduates to 10-rounder this Saturday in Atlanta , Thu, 07 May 2026Jonas Magpantay bags P300,000 with Congressman Jeffrey Ferrer 10-Ball title win By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 06 May 2026Abdullah Mason Returns Home for Lightweight World Title Defense against Joe Cordina July 4 at Cleveland State University’s Wolstein Center , Wed, 06 May 2026Christopher Guerrero to face Delante Johnson on July 4 at the CSU Wolstein Center in Cleveland! , Wed, 06 May 2026Yanong and Horiike make weight in Japan for OPBF 140 lb. title By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026Kulog at Kidlat: Boxing, Art, Thunder and Lightning at the 3rd Pacquiao–Elorde Awards By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 05 May 2026Camique forced to fight after food poisoning; hospitalized after losing by UD By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 05 May 2026Tony Tolj Previews Thunderdome 54 , Tue, 05 May 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|