I once read a story about a group of ladies that waited all year for this event because it was their chance to bag a player. Apparently, they aren’t hookers or common groupies, but those who save all year in order to attend the event. They are regular gals that work in offices, drive buses, and are even cops that no one would ever suspect partakes in this annual jaunt. It’s a rather interesting tale…

However, I appreciate the NBA for entirely different reasons. I’m way too much of a dork to be that kind of groupie, but to each his/her own - right!? I follow the NBA and the All-Star Weekend festivities for other intentions:

Friday: The All-Star Celebrity game is always very amusing. This year, Taylor Hicks of American Idol fame is on the roster. I’ll take wagers now that this guy has no game whatsoever as I have seen him try to dance. Comedian Chris Tucker is also in the lineup and a better candidate to have a sense of the game but you never know about actors. Deion Sanders and WNBA star Ruth Riley are amongst the pro athletes involved.

Saturday: The Sprite Slam Dunk Competition is among the festivities and always a must-see. I really enjoy how creative the players get with their dunks. I’m rooting for Dwight Howard from the Orlando Magic to take the crown.

Sunday: The All-Star Game is where you see rivals become teammates. Kobe Bryant and Yao Ming will be leading the West while Jason Kidd and LeBron James will be the guys to watch on the Eastern team…speaking of Jason Kidd…I wonder if that trade will come through or not. He’s slated to go to the Dallas Mavericks if Devean George will agree to be traded.