Checking in from All-Star practice. The Eastern Conference was up first, then it was time for the media to descend en masse, followed by a Western Conference practice.

The practices for these guys isn't really "practice", more just getting loose and running a couple simple plays, none of which will get used in the freelancing, run-and-gun All-Star game.

At the end of the drills, the team had it's annual half-court shooting competition. Each player puts $100 in the pot, and the first player to make it wins it all. This year's winner? Joooooooooooooooooooooe Johnson!

Each player on the East team missed on their first try, but Joe hit it right on the money his second time around to take home the prize, much to the crowd's delight.

Halfcourt shots became the theme for the event, as following the first contest East coach Doc Rivers selected 6 players to participate in a contest for the Guiness Book of World Records. The setup? Who could set the world record for made halfcourt shots in 60 seconds. JJ was a participant, but could only drop one. The record ended up being shared by LeBron James and Jason Kidd, who each made three though they went about it in different ways; LeBron shot them almost as jumpers (reminiscent of his Powerade commercial), while Kidd spun them underhanded with surprising effectiveness.

During the media time Joe talked with some reporters about the meaning of playing the All-Star game in New Orleans. I think the players have really enjoyed their time here so far, and they realize the kind of impact a weekend like this can have on a community still dealing with the effects of Hurricane Katrina. He also talked about trying to get a win tomorrow for the Eastern Conference. It's funny - normally I don't think the players care too much about who wins, but I almost get the sense the East has a collective chip on their shoulder given the way everyone disparages them this year. Could tomorrow's game be more competitive than normal?

Since I didn't get a chance to yesterday, I made it a point to get over to Doc to ask him about the Hawks this year, and as per usual with the ebullient coach, he was very high on the team's chances this season.

Also, continuing my quest to drum up support for Al Horford's rookie campaign, I spoke with New Orleans assistant coach Darrell Walker, who coached the Rookie All-Stars last night. Not surprisingly, he had plenty of good things to say about the Hawks' young big man.

That will wrap it up for the practice session - but something tells me you'll be hearing about a lot more than the All-Star game from me as the weekend progresses...