The game is over, and the West has won. Bully for them. I wouldn't say this game stood out in any particular way, except for getting to see Joe play, which was the highlight for me. JJ ended up playing the entire fourth quarter, which was exciting. He finished the game with 12 points, third-best on the Eastern Conference team, which though it doesn't mean a whole lot I think it helps him continue to edge his way into the American basketball conscious.

I joined the fray to talk to him after the game, and to be honest, he said all the things you'd expect him to say: he was happy to be here, he enjoyed being in the game and spending time with the other players over the course of the weekend, etc. But I wanted to ask him one thing, and so I did. I wanted to know about his dunk.

I thought his response was pretty funny. Speaking of funny, here is the interview I did earlier this evening with Jimmy Kimmel.

Well, that about wraps it up for me from Vegas. I had a blast, I hope you all enjoyed reading along with me as well. And, wouldn't you know it, I actually have a ticket into a party tonight after all, courtesy of Hawks CMO Lou DePaoli, a stand-up guy if there ever was one. Everything works out in the end! Yay Vegas!

I leave you with a few more pics from tonight, mostly of a few pre-game shots and some post-game interview shots. If I am able to chat up any celebrities (please let it be Chappelle!) later tonight, I will post something about it tomorrow.

Good night!

Louis Gossett, Jr!

Sir Charles signs something for Greg Anthony's son (I assume)

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goldman addresses the media. It's good to be the king.

ESPN's Stephen A. Smith listens in to questions asked to Dwyane Wade before probably shouting something to someone

D-Wade had a quiet night with 10 points and 3 assists

Joe talks to the media after the game

10:45 - As if to show they mean business, Eddie Jordan has put JJ back in the game to help get the East back into the game. His faith is rewarded as Joe immediately hits a three from the elbow. Mehmet Okur answers for the West, and now its 123-94. Okur hasn't played much today, but he is the first NBA All-Star from a country pronounced like a food. Chile, hang in there, you'll get one someday.

10:48 - Does it sound like I have a man-crush on Shaq? It just may. Amazingly, despite all the action on the court, it appears he found time to sneak away to a computer and see that I advocated he try to take someone off the dribble. Never one to disappoint me, Shaq just dribbled the ball up the court and tried to take Okur with a few crossover moves at the top of the key. Sadly, his jumper was off target, or this place would have really erupted.

10:50 - Joe down the lane for two more, cutting the deficit to 27 with 8 minutes to go. They just showed Dave Chappelle again on the jumbotron. Please let me end up at whatever party he is at tonight. Or let me end up at any party.

10:53 - MVP update. Kobe just scored five straight, he now has his jersey number, 24. But Stoudemire just returned to the lineup. It's pretty much between the two of them at this point. Also, Caron Butler comes in to replace Joe (thanks coach!). With 6:20 left to play, that may have been the last we see of JJ, who I think acquitted himself well in his limited minutes. He'll be back for more of these.

10:56 - Whoops! Spoke too soon. JJ is still in the game, and just dribbled between most of the Western "defense" for a nifty left-handed reverse. He is now 4-5 from the field for 10 points. Huzzah!

11:00 - I am enjoying doing this blog, but it has been hard to follow the action every now and then when I have been staring at the computer. Apparently, I just missed perhaps the highlight of the night, as during the break the Flying Elvises (possibly not their real name) performed a trampoline dunk routine. I wasn't watching, but at the very end, Gilbert Arenas came out and jumped off the trampoline, put the ball between his legs, and rammed it home. Please, please let that be on Sportscenter later or something, it sounded really cool.

11:07 - Just over two minutes left to play, and the West leads 147-123. I'm just going to go ahead and say it - LeBron is being a ballhog. Boooooooo.

11:09 - OH MY GOD. JOE DUNKED! Sorry for the caps there, but it's just not something he does very often. This is probably as good a time as any to mention this:

I think we all agree that Joe is heavily underrated by the general public, witness his lack of support in the All-Star voting. Well, I figured out how we can get him more notoriety - he needs to grow an old school, Dr. J-style chin goatee, like three inches long or so. It would be so tight. I decided to explain my plan to him at practice last week before they left for the road trip, and I am sad to say it's a no go. Not because he didn't like the idea, but because he can't grow the facial hair required! Dooop!

I won't give up though - he is only 25, he may still be able to pull it off if he starts shaving more.

11:12 - And that's your ballgame! The West wins 153-132 over the East, let by Kobe's 31 points. I will assume he gets the MVP award. Joe ends up with 12 points, and he played for most of (if not the entirety of) the fourth quarter. Just for that, I won't prank call Eddie Jordan's hotel room later on tonight.

Ok kids, it's been fun. I hope you enjoyed the game - it was fun from here (and they are now announcing Kobe as the MVP. The crowd is reacting much more favorably to it than the Philly crowd did in 2002, but I guess that's not much of a surprise. George Bush probably gets a better reception in the Middle East than most people get in Philly.

Back with some wrap up in a bit!

I don't have a lot to say here, but sort of going along with what I said earlier about Prince vs. Michael Jackson, I will admit being wrong again about another pair of singers. Christina Aguilera is part of the halftime entertainment, and I always thought she'd be the one who'd go downhill well before Britney did. That's not to say there still isn't plenty of time for her to make it happen, but she clearly has defeated Spears.

I got the stats at halftime, and in the interest of being (slightly) fair, Joe did not end up with the least minutes played in the first half - that honor belongs to one of Jordan's charges in Washington, Caron Butler. Now there is someone with beef - come on coach, I'm your own player? You can't sit Vince Carter another minute or two???

The action has been decent so far, but no real eye-openers of note. Shaq smooching T-Mac is probably the best thing that has happened so far. And while I am talking about All-Star memories, I will just add that the play that most stands out in my mind from my childhood was a no-look pass from Magic Johnson to Xavier McDaniel one year in the late '80s. It was a fast break, and someone passed the ball to Magic at about the free throw line. Magic, facing the pass with his back completely turned to the back half of the court, immediately whipped it perfectly behind him to a streaking X-Man for the jam. To this day, I still have no idea how he knew McDaniel was there. I guess that was his genius.

Ok, the players are coming back on the court. Hopefully, we will see just a little bit more of Joe this half.

9:16 - During the break, they did a tribute to Red Auerbach. Very nice. Also, they just showed Dave Chappelle on the jumbotron. Man I miss that guy. Byaaaaah!

9:18 - Ray Allen just hit two straight three's. Man, do I love that guy's shot. Then Chauncey Billups served up an alley off the backboard to Vince Carter, probably the best dunk of the night so far. Joe Johnson still hasn't gotten into the game yet, as Shaq and Gilbert Arenas are now back in for their second tour of duty. Ummm, did Joe make eyes at Eddie Jordan's wife or something? 

9:21 - Did I mention I am going to miss Shaq when he is gone? He missed a dunk, but Rip Hamilton got the rebound and gave it back to him. This time he threw it down, partially because Tracy McGrady stood by and watched the whole thing. To show his appreciation, Shaq planted a smooch on T-Mac's noggin on his way back down court. Given what Barkley did last night and what we have seen from O'Neal this weekend, I think TNT would be crazy not to hire him the second he retires and add him to the studio show.

9:24 - It's a timeout, with the West up 52-37. They are showing more of the celebs in the crowd, and they just showed whatshername from Grey's Anatomy (sorry, I don't watch). I know her as the object of Luke Wilson's affection in Old School. Anyway, she played (acting?) like she didn't know she was on camera, then did one of those "look up at the jumbotron and see yourself, then acknowledge everyone" things. Ummm, the camera is right in front of your face, lady. I hate that show anyway.

9:28 - Halfway through the quarter, and still no Joe. I may be wrong here, but I think he is the only Eastern Conference player not to get in. I officially hate Eddie Jordan.

9:32 - FINALLY. Joe gets into the game after this timeout. There is a huge round of applause. I prefer to think it's for Joe, but they are showing Queen Latifah on the screen. You make the call.

9:33 - Joe appears to be playing the point, though sadly he turned the ball over. Hopefully that doesn't mean Eddie Jordan will yank him from the lineup, but who knows. That guy is suspect.

9:37 - Joe just fouled Kobe on the drive. I think it may have been leftover resentment from the Hawks-Lakers game at Philips a couple weeks ago. At least I like to envision it was. Now they are interviewing David Hasselhoff (aka, "The Hoff"), who just said his highlight of the weekend was speaking German with Dirk Nowitzki. Man, he is really riding that one out, eh? Incidentally, he is starring in The Producers here in Las Vegas, which I bring up only because I think its amazing that The Producers was a movie first, then it was turned into a broadway musical, then turned into a movie adaptation of the musical based on the movie. Personally, I look forward to the play-based-on-the-movie-based-on-the-musical-based-on-the-movie. That will be entertaining.

9:43 - Joe shoots, he scores!!! 1-1 from the field now for three points. Feed him the rock, he's hot!

9:45 - The first half ends with Joe getting one more shot, a three from the corner, but he missed. Well, no one is perfect. At the half, it's 79-59 West, with Kobe Bryant your early MVP leader with 17 points. Hopefully Eddie Jordan will apologize to Joe in the locker room and give him a lot more PT in the second half.

8:45 ET - I think we are finally about to get started here. We just had an in-arena announcement about safety regulations and whatnot on the big screen, not sure if it was shown on TV or not, but it featured impersonators of famous types like Marilyn Monroe and Elvis Presley.

Completely, off-topic, but since they showed her I have to say - I am so glad Marilyn Monroe lived when she did, because she never would have lasted in today's climate. I just heard that Britney Spears shaved her head. Mazel Tov, Britney.

Anyway, everyone talks about Marilyn Monroe as the epitome of the dream woman, but if she lived today she'd totally end up hanging out with Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie. That just makes me sad.

8:47: Ok, the opening tip is now!

Arenas took (and missed) the first shot. I will say this. I advocated him for MVP, but even if he doesn't win, I still bet he takes the most shots.

8:52 - Nothing of note so far - there is Gilbert's first points. A bunch of turnovers so far, which is nothing new to the All-Star game because everyone tries to do something fancy. I tell you what would be interesting - if the All-Star game featured NBA players against the And-1 Mix Tape tour - now those guys know how to be flashy. Kobe Bryant just threw down a monster jam, followed by a sweet alley-oop to Dwyane Wade on the other end, for the two loudest reactions so far. It's 14-11 West as they go to the first timeout.

8:58 - They just showed Prince in the stands. Whenever I see him (I know this joke has been made before), all I can think about is how in the 80's, he used to be considered the eccentric one between himself and Michael Jackson. I mean, he didn't even have a name for awhile. And now he is just another rock star. Is that weird to anyone else?

9:02 - Carmelo Anthony in the game, and he just hit his first shot. I have to say, despite his involvement in the brawl, he deserves to be here. His draftmate, LeBron James, just tried to alley-oop it to himself off the backboard. I love that play. You only see it in the All-Star game, but I always feel like it would work in a regular game as well. Am I alone on that?

9:10 - Many substitutions have happened so far, and still no Joe. Hey Eddie Jordan, help a blog out will ya?

9:11 - Carmelo Anthony just had two straight baskets for the West - he is another who could definitely win MVP of this game. I always feel like unless it's someone like Jordan, it's always someone who has something to prove (hence my Arenas pick). Melo certainly has amends to make after the debacle at Madison Square, so perhaps he looks at this as a way to atone some. End of the first quarter, and your score is 39-31 West in the lead.

Anyway, I will post the audio in just a little bit - it was about what you'd expect from a guy like Kimmel, who has made a career out of catering to a guy's sense of humor. Which is to say I thought he was funny, but it's possible you may not appreciate it as much.

I also saw Louis Gossett, Jr., but he was wrapped up in a conversation and I didn't want to bother him. I did love his work in Diggstown, though.

Ok, they just had Seigfried and Roy say a few words, and now Wayne Newton is performing. I have heard of him, but I have to say, one thing that surprises me about Vegas is how many of the "top" performers are people I have never heard of. Some guy named Clint Holmes sang the national anthem last night, and he must be talented if he is a headliner here, but it's not like he's ever had a hit song or anything (at least to my knowledge). Just seems odd, that's all.

Pregame intros are just finishing up - hey, Wayne Newton plays the fiddle! - and then it's go time. My early pick for MVP? Gilbert Arenas. This just seems like the season for the Hibachi.

Hello everyone. I am just about ready to get this thing started. Should be a fun time here at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, if last night was any indication. The fans were really into the various skills competitions, and I expect they will enjoy what's on tap for them tonight.

One thing I don't understand at all is how much tickets to this game are going for on the street. I heard a guy today say he sold his four tickets for $4000. Four thousand dollars. For an exhibition game. I mean, I'd understand dropping a grand on a ticket to the Super Bowl, or the Final Four, maybe even the final round of the Masters, but for an All-Star game? In a city like Las Vegas, where there are only a million sports books and bars to watch the game?

I don't get it. I hope they get their money's worth, that's all I know.

Ok, I will be back for the start of the game. My early prediction? Even though Joe was an injury replacement, I think you will see him play decent minutes since the East is without any true point guards. Since Joe is capable of doing that, I could see him being used to start the offense for some of the time tonight.

Wrapping up for Saturday night in Las Vegas...

The All-Star Saturday night festivities were really fun to see live for the first time ever. The dunk contest was very entertaining and I appreciated the contestants creativity, but it still feels like the show has run it's course.

Here are all the interviews I promised you from earlier today:

Boston's Gerald Green wins the dunk contest, mercifully putting America out of it's misery in thinking that Nate Robinson might win again.

Nate, I think I speak for everyone who watched tonight - when you miss a dunk repeatedly, please, for the love of god, TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT!

Congrats to Gerald Green, who actually did throw down some pretty nasty dunks to take home the crown. The dunks may not have been anything particularly of note tonight, but the showmanship was great, and I think that made the contest fun to watch.

Ok, I will be back with a little more recap in just a little bit...

The dunk contest is about to begin. I will be honest, I can't say I'm all that excited (please don't fine me NBA!). It was awesome the year Josh Smith won it, but last year left such a bad taste in my mouth - I just pray whoever wins tonight is able to execute the first time. I will settle for the second time, maybe even the third. But after the, say, 11th attempt, it's time to say goodnight.

My guess is the judging will be very tight tonight, seeing as the five judges are arguably the best dunkers of all time: Dr. J, Dominique, Dominique-ripper-offer Michael Jordan, Vince Carter, and Kobe Bryant.

Here is a better picture of the race from earlier tonight, courtesy of NBAE/Getty Images:

That was out-standing. Charles Barkley could be a stand-up comic, easily. Surprisingly, Sir Charles beat Dick Bavetta in the three-and-a-half court lengths race, turning around and backpedaling across the finish line to prove his dominance (and toppling over on his rear in the process). Barkley was so gassed at the end, he couldn't even talk to TNT's Ernie Johnson, ceding the mic to Bavetta, who seemed quite capable of winning a two-of-three competition.

It was hysterical. I can only hope this turns into an annual thing, where Barkley takes on America's elderly community in a variety of challenges. The event was all in good fun, as summed up by the Round Mound of Rebound himself, who stated before the race: "I have nothing but love for old people. I hope to be one of them some day."

There will be much better photography of the event later on, but from my seat up in the nosebleeds (can you believe Hawks.com doesn't get a front-row seat with ESPN.com?), this is the best I can do.

The three-point contest is coming up, which is by far my favorite part of the evening in a typical year. We definitely have to get Joe to do this sometime soon, I think he could be a dark-horse candidate.

Barkley and Bavetta toe the starting line - you can see Charles about to false start

Barkley's ego may remain unbruised, but I think his tailbone may need some ice...

Today was a good time. I overcame a credential crisis to make it to the practice session earlier, where I got a chance to talk to Joe Johnson about making the All-Star team, which I promised I would get to you. Well, I am a man of my word, so here it is. I don't know if you can tell from listening to it because Joe is so understated, but he really seems excited to be here.

The Eastern Conference practiced from 11:00 - 11:45, and following that they were available for interviews. I don't think I've seen Joe talk to this many people in his life, but he handled it pretty well.

The media crush was ridiculous, with everyone clamoring to talk to the NBA's cream of the crop. I used the opportunity to get some feedback from some of the guys about Joe's performance this year, in particular some of his former co-workers in Phoenix. I also got a chance to talk to TNT's Kenny Smith (a former Hawk) about Johnson, as the TNT crew all left JJ off their picks for the Eastern Conference squad originally. I won't say I held his feet to the fire too bad, but I at least asked him to explain himself. I suppose I will let it slide.

I will post all of those interviews shortly. But right now I have to stop salivating over the computer - Charles Barkley is about to race Dick Bavetta. If you haven't been following this, it is really one of the funniest things ever. Basically, Barkley claimed on a TNT broadcast that no 67-year old man could ever beat him in a race, and now we are about to find out if that is true or not. I can't imagine Barkley is in shape enough to beat Bavetta (I'm not even sure he is in shape to finish the race period), but he is a fierce competitor, and who knows what he is capable of when his adrenaline is pumping.

Back with more in a bit, unless I have passed out on the floor from laughter.

Alright, coming to you live from the NBA Eastern Conference practice at the All-Star Jam Session at the Mandalay Bay Casino. I spoke to Joe earlier today, and I will post the audio later this afternoon. Sufficed to say, he is really excited to be here. I know he tried to act like it wasn't a big deal when he didn't get chosen the first time around, but he clearly feels honored to be included in this weekend's events.

As for last night...well, I don't want to disappoint you too badly, but I didn't make it to any of the parties. Part of that is because I don't know anyone who could have gotten me in anywhere, and part of it is because the strip...was...packed. It was ridiculous. There looked like a two-hour line for cabs outside of the MGM Grand, and I think my fragile psyche wasn't prepared to wait that long only to get rejected at one of the parties du jour. I spoke with a guy from the New Jersey Nets earlier this morning, and he said he was trying to get into the Nike party with Will Perdue. They saw Ben Gordon, Emeka Okafor, and Dale Davis waiting in line, and Perdue said to him, "If they ain't gettin in, we ain't gettin in." So I stand by my decision.

Still, I hoped to see some celebrities. I wagered myself a dollar on what kind of celebrity I would see first: a musician? An actor? Pro athlete from another sport? My money was on musician, based on the several cards I was handed by various wannabe rap groups.

However, I was wrong, and the first celeb these two eyes saw was...Shawn Kemp! Somehow that made sense, and strangely I believe that if I'd thought about it harder, I might have actually guessed him. Later on I saw former NFL star Eric Dickerson as well, but the highlight of my night was running into Detroit Lions WR Roy Williams, who played at Texas (my alma mater) in college. Amazingly, he wasn't quite as thrilled to see me as I was him - but it was still cool.

This morning, on my way over to practice, I ended up on the tram with former Syracuse star Gerry McNamara, who won an NCAA title in 2003 with Carmelo Anthony. He is in town for the D-League All-Star game, which he didn't find out he was playing in until 10:00 pm last night. Seemed like a nice guy though - Scranton, PA should be proud.

I've been taking a ton of pictures, and I will post some of them shortly. Back with more later!

Well, I am finally here. My first thoughts, coming into Las Vegas, was how was the city going to deal with the multitudes of people coming into town for the weekend's festivities.

I realize Vegas is used to big weekends, but I think almost anyone you ask will say that this one is about as big as it gets. The NBA is one of the most glamorous leagues in professional sports, and because of how close the fans can get to the action, the one with the most high-profile fandom (Jack Nicholson, Spike Lee for example).

Arriving into McCarron Airport, I hurried through the terminal determined to get in line for a cab. My flight landed at 6:50 local time (9:50 ET), and I figured if lucky I'd be to my hotel (the MGM Grand, where all media-types have been put up - or at least the ones representing the NBA) by, say, midnight. I've been to Vegas many times, and on a random weekend it's usually 30-45 minutes in line before you get to the front of the line.

In what I hope is a good sign of things to come, the line actually moved quickly, perhaps even faster than the other times I'd been here, and I actually made it to my hotel by 8:00. Amazing. I guess it was silly to think Vegas wouldn't be prepared for this (and by the way, I will continue to address "Vegas" throughout the weekend as if it is a living, breathing thing and not an inanimate stretch of land in the Nevada desert), since this is their big dress rehearsal for luring a professional sports team to the city. I am sure they will have the red carpet rolled out in every way shape and form so as to get in the good graces of Commissioner Stern and, by extension, any other professional sports leagues considering a move here.

So, unfortunately, because I couldn't get here any earlier than I did (and I tried - the morning flight from Atlanta was oversold by 18 people!), I missed out on all of the NBA-related action this evening, but based on the highlights I saw on TNT (which will be broadcasting all of the events over the next few days), it looked like there was your typical array of beautiful alley-oops, dazzling dunks, and o le' defense. The sophomores hit 75% of their shots and won 155-114 over the rookies. For the record, I still think Shelden and Marvin Williams should  have been participants in this game, but what can you do. David Lee takes home MVP honors after "hitting" 14-14 from the floor (I understand they were pretty much all dunks with little degree of difficulty).

Tomorrow will start the real action for me, and as excited as I am for the competitions, I will come right out and say the thing I am most excited about is the footrace between Hall of Famer Charles Barkley and 67-year old NBA referee Dick Bavetta. I will talk more about this tomorrow, but sufficed to say, I strongly urge all of you to watch All-Star Saturday night.

Ok, I am off to eat some food and check out the media reception, and if I am feeling up to it, dare I say some of the scene (I have no wingman, so I don't know how comfy I am going to be going into a club or bar by myself. I can only pretend to talk on my cell phone for so long before people realize I'm faking it so as not to look lonely.)

Have a good night, and I will see you all tomorrow.

Vegas baby...Vegas!

For awhile now, we on the website have been planning on making the trek cross-country to the City of Sin in the event that Hawks employees were asked to participate. Well, that didn't work out exactly as we'd hoped. First Shelden and Marvin got overlooked for the rookie-sophomore game, then no one was asked to participate in any of the skills competitions (I think you'll see Joe in the 3-pt shootout one of these years), and of course, JJ was overlooked when the original teams were announced.

Just like that, the trip to Vegas was shot. But, a faint ray of hope began to shine this week when Jason Kidd's back started acting up (I swear I had nothing to do with it), and wouldn't you know it, just like that, the trip was back on.

So, amazingly, just when all hope seemed lost (and all reservations had been cancelled), suddenly all systems are go, and I am proud to announce that the Hawks BasketBlog will be in the house to witness what really should be one of the most unique sporting events (and scenes) the world has ever seen: NBA All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas. There is no turning back now, sports - you were destined one day to take up residency in the Nevada desert, and here is the first real chance to see what it might be like (sorry, XFL).

As it stands now, due to the last-minutedness (a word?) of the trip, I am not getting into Vegas until tomorrow evening, so I will most likely miss the Friday night festivities. But, from there on out, I will be blogging daily about the sights and sounds of the weekend, including interviews with players and A-List celebrities (A-List defined in this case as "those who are willing to talk to me"). In addition, I will be live-blogging the All-Star game Sunday night from press row, which I am very much excited about. Plus, I will have my camera with me, and I promise to post a ton of photos of my experience (at least in the places where cameras are allowed).

It promises to be a great time - if you have any recommendations of things to do, or have questions you'd like me to ask, let me know in the comments.

Vegas baby...Vegas!