2019 NBA ALL STAR DIARIES (PHOTOS) - The sights and sounds of Queen City
By Homer D. Sayson
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 18 Feb 2019
CHARLOTTE - The captain's remorseful voice echoed throughout an airplane cockpit filled with anxious passengers.
There was engine trouble and the 737 that was scheduled to fly us to Charlotte international airport at 9:35 pm last Friday had to return to Gate B-25. After spending nearly two hours of waiting and fiddling with our cellphones, we were told to deplane and scamper over to Gate A-9 where another jet was waiting.
All told, it took over 190 minutes before we were finally airborne. To placate its dismayed customers, Southwest Airlines was kind enough to offer extra snacks and one free adult beverage per passenger, but the irrevocable, God honest truth remained: we can never retrieve the time lost on that tarmac.
Crap happens and I'm certain there are many more stories involving horrified travelers out there. You can only hope never to be a part of it.
It was 4 am Saturday (Sunday afternoon back in Cebu) when I arrived at my hotel here in Charlotte, North Carolina, where I will cover the 68th NBA All-Star Game. My eyes, reddened by all the commotion, were burning but not tired enough to sleep. One hour later, though, with the aid of lights snacks, I was knocked out cold.
For what has been an annual rite the past decade or so, PhilBoxing.com was again credentialed by the NBA to chronicle the mid-season classic. This time, we were represented by yours truly and Anthony Rozic, a longtime NBA writer with a few Finals coverages under his belt.
This is the second time since 1991 that the city of Charlotte, also known as Queen City, has hosted the All-Star. And it has once again proved to be more than able.
STAR PRACTICE. After shaking off the ill-effects of sleep deprivation, Anthony and I headed over to the Bojangles Coliseum, an 8,600-seat arena along 2700 east Independence boulevard, where Team Giannis and Team LeBron conducted media day and practiced for today's showdown.
LeBron and Golden State Warriors ace Steph Curry drew the most cheers, but Anthony Davis, whose impending divorce with the Pelicans has swept New Orleans like a tsunami, got perhaps the most stares. Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving spent a lot of time signing memorabilia for fans at the tunnel before exiting to their charter buses. Other stars simply jogged past the screaming public.
As day surrendered to night, the action shifted 3.8 miles away to the Spectrum Center, home of the Charlotte Hornets where fans were treated to the Skills Challenge, the Three-point shoot-out and the slam dunk contest.
Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics jump-started the electric evening by winning the Skills Challenge courtesy of a half-court heave that relegated Atlanta Hawks rookie Trae Young to second place. Curry, the hometown darling, was heavily favored to out-shoot the 3-point field, but he could't put off the fire that was Joe Harris of the Brooklyn Nets, who scored 26 to Steph's 24 in the final round.
The slam dunk championship was fun but it did not recapture the savage beauty that defined the competition during the glory days of way back when. In fairness to the young turks, though, how can they possibly overshadow Michael Jordan, the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT), Dominique Wilkins "The Human Highlight Film," and Vince Carter who used to roll as "Half-man. Half-amazing."
But if that was fun, the All-Star Game itself figures to take the cake.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
FISHER STEPS UP AGAINST BABIC AT COPPER BOX ARENA ON JULY 6
Wed, 22 May 2024TICKETS TO GO ON SALE FOR WILLIAM “EL CAMARÓN” ZEPEDA VS. GIOVANNI CABRERA TOMORROW, MAY 22
Wed, 22 May 2024Junior Middleweight Contender Xander Zayas to Receive Sports Star Honor at 2024 Puerto Rican Day Parade
Wed, 22 May 2024Five King’s Gambit Online Chess School Bets Qualify for Palarong Pambansa
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 22 May 2024The Past Week in Action 20 May 2024: Big Day for Ukraine: Usyk Defeats Fury for Undisputed Heavyweight Title; Berinchyk Wins WBO Lightweight Title Over Navarrete; Papin, Chukhadzhian Victorious
By Eric Armit, Tue, 21 May 2024Espere Defends PBF Title Against Bravo on June 23 in Cagwait
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 21 May 2024ALI AKHMEDOV TO FACE ENCARNACION DIAZ IN WORLD-CLASS SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT DUAL ON THIS THURSDAY’S “BIG TIME BOXING USA,” EVENT, PRESENTED BY SALITA PROMOTIONS
Tue, 21 May 2024Marc Kevin Labog emerges as champion in the 9th leg of the PCAP Champions League Open chess tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 21 May 2024Boxers await qualifying draw
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 21 May 2024Boston Holds Edge in East Finals, NBA Championship Series
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 21 May 2024TWO TITLE SHOWDOWNS ROUND OUT STACKED DAVIS VS. MARTIN & BENAVIDEZ VS. GVOZDYK TOPPED PBC PAY-PER-VIEW EVENT ON PRIME VIDEO SATURDAY, JUNE 15
Tue, 21 May 2024The Heat Is On: Miami Fight Night Headlined by Teofimo Lopez-Steve Claggett Junior Welterweight World Title Showdown June 29 at James L. Knight Center LIVE on ESPN
Tue, 21 May 2024Undefeated Faizan Anwar fighting for his future this Saturday in Abu Dhabi on a loaded “Rising Stars Arabia 4” pro boxing card
Tue, 21 May 2024It's Boston Versus Indiana in the East; Minnesota Against Dallas in the West
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Mon, 20 May 2024SPORTS FACTS AND FIGURES 69: OLEKSANDR USYK BECOMES THIRD MALE TWO-DIVISION UNDISPUTED CHAMPION
By Maloney L. Samaco, Mon, 20 May 2024