Even if you’re not a huge NBA fan, this week is a great week to enjoy professional basketball in Orlando. The All-Star game is not just a game, it is a week-long celebration and party. There are many events taking place other than the big game. (Not including Dwight Howard’s party or Drake’s party at Showalter Executive Airport.) You might be surprised how easily it can be to get involved in the excitement!
A fan favorite event is the NBA All-Star Jam Session. Why? Primarily because it is geared around young fans. Held at the Orange County Convention Center’s North Building, Thursday through Sunday, this event allows fans of all ages to shoot, dribble and drive all day. It’s great to be playing basketball and not just watching. Compete against your friends in skills challenges and have a chance at getting autographs from the NBA players and legends. Children can participate in the Kids Zone at sized down slam dunks, three-pointers and jump shots.
Tickets for the Jam Session are:
Thursday, February 23 & Friday, February 24
Adults $20; Kids (3-12) $12; Kids (2 & Under) FREE; Seniors/Military (with valid ID) $12
Saturday, February 25 & Sunday, February 26
Adults $30; Kids (3-12) $20; Kids (2 & Under) FREE; Seniors/Military (with valid ID) $20
Another favorite event of the NBA All-Star Weekend would have to be the Rising Stars Challenge taking place Friday, February 24, 2012 at 9:00pm at the Amway Center. This event features eighteen of the league’s top rookies and second-year players squaring off in an epic game played in two 20-minute halves with no foul outs! These players have something to prove and it should be exciting.
Tickets for the Rising Stars Challenge are:
Upper Bowl: $35; Lower Bowl: $50
While the game is highly anticipated, nothing is as fun to watch as the NBA All-Star Saturday Night. This is when the infamous slam dunk contest is held. This event also includes three other competitions: a shooting contest featuring NBA and WNBA Players and NBA Legends; a skills challenge where the top guards work against the clock to compete in an “obstacle course,” consisting of a series of passes, free throws, lay-ups and agility drills; and a three-point contest consisting of six of the best long-range shooters. The event’s grand finale, is of course the slam dunk contest, showcasing the NBA’s most athletic players as they take to the air, mystifying fans with their gravity defying creativity.
The actual 2012 NBA All-Star Game will be held Sunday, February 26, 2012 at 7:00pm at the Amway Center. The 61st NBA All-Star game is a unique experience that celebrates the NBA’s greatest athletes. Your fantasy teams become a reality as East vs. West face off in what should be a great game. Various ticket packages are available for the weekend, however, prepare to dig deep, as they start at $1,599 and go as high as $6,999. Tickets just for the game start around $500 – if you can still get them!
There are several other events being held this week in celebration of the NBA All-Star Game including the Celebrity Game on Friday; a recycling event on Saturday where you can properly recycle unwanted electronics; and an All-Star FIT Run, Walk & Dribble event at Lake Eola Park. For information on all of the events, go to nba.com. Enjoy the stars and be a fan, at least this week, of the National Basketball Association. If you’re in Orlando, the excitement is sure to be a slam dunk!
Last Updated on September 8, 2022
