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Axios
20-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
The tech behind the NBA All-Star Weekend
With its All-Star Game taking place in the San Francisco Bay Area for the first time in 25 years, the NBA was keen to show off its techie side. Why it matters: The NBA has a broad global fan base, but it wants reach the next generation, many of whom spend more time on YouTube and TikTok than watching traditional television broadcasts. Driving the news: At a tech summit on Friday — as well as at Sunday's All Star Game — the league showed off a series of robots that the local Golden State Warriors use as part of their training regime. The armada includes a basket on wheels that can collect rebounds and pass balls to players, other robots that can stand in as defenders and a collection of Spot robots from Boston Dynamics. The robot canines were in action on Sunday, tossing merchandise into the crowds. Fun fact: NBA supplier Wilson showed off its airless 3D printed basketball designed to have the same weight and handling as a traditional ball, but without the need to ever be pumped. At $2,500, the current models are too pricey for the average consumer — though the product did quickly sell out online. (Check out this video from my Axios SF colleague Claire Reilly) Between the lines: While not as flashy as the robots or the 3D-printed basketball, perhaps the most consequential tech move the league made this year was to directly incorporate a number of online influencers into the festivities. YouTuber Jesser joined the judges for the Slam Dunk Contest, and MrBeast staged a dramatic half-court challenge, where a college student won $100,000. As part of Saturday's Slam Dunk Contest, fans from around the world were able to vote on their devices, with YouTuber Jesser representing the fans on the court alongside the other four judges. "It was a surreal experience," Jesser told Axios in an interview moments after the contest concluded. "I couldn't stop smiling." The big picture: The entire weekend was designed to bring fans closer to the game including ancillary events such as NBA Crossover, a fan exhibition at Moscone Center. There even the vertically challenged (myself included) could get in on the slam dunk action, with an augmented reality set-up that combined well-positioned cameras and a lowered hoop (4, 5 or 7-feet high) to capture the illusion. (Here's my dunk.) NBA Crossover was also where fans could get their hands on the 3D printed Wilson ball without having to fork over the $2,500. Video Game maker 2K Sports, meanwhile, had a pavilion nearby Moscone where fans could get themselves on the box cover of their NBA 2K PlayStation 5 video game.
CBS News
16-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
From a Warriors museum to video games, Bay Area NBA fans soak in All-Star events
On Saturday, the day before the NBA All-Star Game, fans in San Francisco came out to play as well. In today's interactive world of sports, they've learned that if you put a good product on the air, people will watch. But if you involve fans in the sport, they'll come out to be a part of it. The biggest event open to the public had to be the NBA Crossover at San Francisco's Moscone Center. The entire bottom floor was converted into an interactive fan experience, including a chance to feel the electrifying thrill of scoring a slam dunk on a rim that lowered to match a player's height. Twelve-year-old Mason Ho missed on the first attempt, but connected with a massive windmill slam on his second try, causing the entire floor to light up with deafening applause. "And you would see all the lights, so it's like you're on the real floor," he said. "Yeah, so it's cool." His 5-year-old brother Otto lost the handle but recovered for a dunk and then hung on the rim for emphasis. The next exhibit over was a little harder to explain. At the Royal Court, fans wandered through a mock 14th-century castle completing challenges with a chance to win prizes and play a basketball video game. "It brings fans into a real-life video game, essentially," said Hayley Bordui, with the NBA 2K league. "So, the idea is like a fully immersive tech experience that mashes up the baroque essence with basketball and gaming culture." Actually, video gaming and the NBA have a close connection which, once again, gives fans the chance to imagine being one of their hardwood heroes. But it wasn't all make-believe. Some lucky fans got a chance to play two-on-two against former Harlem Globetrotter Chris Staples and "The Professor," a young man who became an internet star for his crazy ball-handling skills. Watching from the sidelines, Stella Hernandez from Walnut Creek said she loves the NBA and is inspired by the growing popularity of the WNBA. "All the youth and the young ladies out there showing that you could come and be a part of something that you aspire to," she said. "Even you can look up to all the men and try to be like all the women you look up to, as well." Events were happening all over town, including a section of Powell Street near Union Square that was renamed All-Star Alley. People waited in long lines just to get into stores. Denise Gonzales had no idea what she was standing in line to see. "No, but I'm super excited. We'll find out once we get in there," she said with a laugh. "Worth the wait, worth the wait." It turned out to be a small popup Warriors museum displaying some cardboard cutouts, a few bobbleheads and some cornbread being marketed by former Warrior Kalenna Azubuike. Still, it was fun for Mary Ignatius who waited 30 minutes to get in. "Yeah, I mean, the NBA, basketball it's so much a part of our culture," she said. "We love the Warriors, and the All-Star game, what is it, every 20 years maybe? So, we didn't want to lose out on an opportunity to celebrate. And it's free, so, everything else costs a lot more when you want to go to Chase Center." The fact is the NBA has gotten so big, that there is a kind of magic just being close to it. Back at the Crossover, Mitch Richmond, a former member of the Warriors' famed "Run TMC" crew, said the league has grown because it was smart enough to bring the fans into the experience. "I think this is what galvanized the game," Richmond said. "You know, I remember coming in '88, we had never seen anything like this. Each and every year, man, it's expanding, we're going global. We're getting so many athletes from all around the world. And we also get fan bases from all around the world. So, it's been growing each and every year." It will be at least 30 years before the NBA All-Star Game comes back to San Francisco. One can only imagine how big the game will be then.
CBS News
15-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
NBA Crossover draws thousands of basketball fans to Moscone Center
Huge crowds packed the Moscone Center in San Francisco Friday as NBA Crossover opened its doors to basketball fans gearing up for All-Star Weekend. Ever wonder what it feels like to dunk? Or to hear directly from your hero about who his hero is? "I think the unsung hero was my mom. My mom did a lot for me. She prepared me mentally before games and everything," said Jalen Brunson, Guard for the New York Knicks. These are just some of the things fans are able to experience at NBA All-Star Crossover. The fan fest has taken over Moscone Center, giving NBA fans the chance to get up close and personal with some of their idols. "We saw Karl-Anthony Towns outside, yeah that was cool. Did you say anything to him? Oh, I was like, 'Hi KAT! Hey KAT look at me!" said fan Candace Ortega. Thousands of fans packed into the opening day of the event. CBS News Bay Area met Miguel Rodriguez, who traveled across the country for a chance to get players to autograph his original Basketball Hall of Fame sign. "I drove all the way out from Connecticut so that I could get some autographs, and move from number 45 and hopefully get up to 100 autographs of the 190 living hall of famers," said Rodriguez. Back inside, fans even got the chance to see what may be the future of the sport, a 3D printed basketball made by Wilson. "Same size and weight, bounces just like a traditional ball and it is made from a recyclable material," said Allen Lebowitz with Wilson Sporting Goods. The experience offering a little bit of everything for both the basketball obsessed and the causal fan. Many said it was the perfect way to kick off what's expected to be a star-studded weekend. "It's been great. 10 out of 10. This is my first time. First year," said Jose Herrera. NBA Crossover
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Mac McClung on winning a 3rd straight AT&T Slam Dunk title: ‘It'd probably be it for me'
Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill spoke with the 2-time defending champion of the competition to discuss what he has planned for Saturday night, how he's dealt with the fame that comes with winning the event and what becoming the first 3-peat champ would mean to him. Mac joined Yahoo Sports on behalf of AT&T and its XR Dunk Court at NBA Crossover. At&t slam dunk competition is upon us or the Mac McClung invitational. How you doing, Mac? I'm good, man. I appreciate you saying that. You're going for 3 in a row after the 1st 2. The question always is what more can you do? What, what more is next? Do you have some creative stuff? Like what's the pressure going into Saturday night? Yeah, there's, I feel like, uh, for some reason the more I do it I don't feel more comfortable each time, but no, I think, uh, I'm really excited about this year. There's more props than I've ever used. It's the most challenging set, but I've worked extremely hard on it. I hope it I hope it goes well. So you're not one of those people, you're not just going out. Have a plan once you go up in the air. You have plans already, months and months of planning, months and months of planning. OK, can you give us a clue on any of these props, some type of hint? I can't. It's too obvious. I can't. You just have to tune in Saturday night. OK. All right, now I ask you this. You were born in what '99, right? The last time All-Star was here was 2000. You clearly weren't able to see it, but I'm sure you know about Vince Carter and what he did here. What does that feel to be part of the lineage of the AT&T slam dunk competition? Like your name is etched in history. It's really surreal. I, I try to feel like an imposter a lot of times, but it's just, um, it's an incredible thing. I'm grateful to be a part of and it's, it's such a cool thing. What is all this like? You, you're at the crossover event. People are shaking your hand, people know who you are. You are famous, right? What is it like dealing with just. Fame even though you're a hooper and before a dunker, but people know who you are, they don't prepare you for that. What is that like for you as a human just being able to deal with this? It's a funny thing, man. I, I think as people like it's, it's really weird to ever think that you're deserving of people to be fans of you. I think it's weird when someone acts extremely excited to see me and I'm like, wow, I'm like that you the way you feel about me, man, that just like. It's something I don't take for granted either. I don't feel, I feel like an impostor a lot of times, but, uh, I'm very grateful for everyone that cares about what I'm doing, and, and that means a lot to me. Now the last person to win 3 was Nate Robinson, another small guy. You're trying to go for 3 in a row, which has never been done. Is there a fascination you think with small guys dunking as opposed to the 67, the the giants of the game, so to speak? I think everybody feels it. It's fun to watch a short guy dunk. I mean, I've always felt that way, so, uh, I think it's more fun. Yeah. What would it mean for you to win a third slam dunk contest with the odds against you, you having the creativity disadvantage basically because so many people have seen so many different things. What would it mean for you to win? Do you just drop the mic and walk off and never come back again? Yeah, I mean, it'll probably be it for me, uh, this year. I think, uh, it'd be a cherry on top of a beautiful ride and. Um, I don't know, man. It'd be special. It'd be really special. And even still, the journey continues. You're, you're 2, 25, 26 just turned 26. So the, your journey continues, right, even though now the journey continues to the league. Absolutely. Hey, congratulations, man. Thank you, man. I appreciate you.
CBS News
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- CBS News
NBA All-Star 2025 weekend festivities start Friday in the San Francisco Bay Area. Here's what to know.
The NBA All-Star Game and all the attendant weekend festivities come to San Francisco this year with the Golden State Warriors hosting the contest on their home court at Chase Center. Sunday's game marks the first time the Warriors have hosted the event in a quarter century, having previously hosted the 2000 NBA All-Star at Oakland Arena and, before that, the 1967 All-Star Game at the Cow Palace in Daly City. In addition to games and events on both sides of the Bay in San Francisco and Oakland, there are affiliated concerts featuring artists like electronic dance acts Zedd and Chainsmokers, hip-hop stars Flo Rida and 2 Chains, singer-songwriter Noah Kahan and blues guitar phenom Gary Clark Jr., the immersive fan experience NBA Crossover and NBA All-Star Alley on Powell St. with pop-up storefronts, live podcast recordings and a specially designed basketball court at Union Square. Where are this weekend's events happening? Most of the major NBA All-Star Game events including the game itself are happening at Chase Center, but there are a few things happening at the Warriors' former Oakland Arena home. The NBA All-Star concert series during the weekend will be held at San Francisco's Pier 48, while the NBA Crossover fan experience will be held at Moscone Center from Friday through Sunday. While the inclement weather led to the cancellation of the outdoor NBA All-Star Tip-Off Party Thursday during the Warriors game against the Houston Rockets, there will be related activities happening at Thrive City through the weekend at the entertainment zone's restaurants, bars and other businesses like the newly opened Splash sports bar. When are the main All-Star Weekend events happening? Here is a rundown of when the major NBA All-Star Weekend games and contests are taking place. Friday: NBA All-Star celebrity game at Oakland Arena, Friday, Feb. 14, 4 p.m. Rising Stars competition at Chase Center, Friday, Feb. 14, 6 p.m. Saturday: NBA All-Star practice at Oakland Arena, Saturday, Feb. 15, 11 a.m. NBA HBCU Classic with Morehouse College vs. Tuskegee University at Oakland Arena, Saturday, Feb. 15, 2 p.m. All-Star Saturday Night featuring the Skills Challenge, the 3-Point Contest and Slam Dunk Contest at Chase Center, Saturday, Feb. 15, 5 p.m. Sunday: NBA All-Star Game at Chase Center, Sunday, Feb. 16, 5 p.m. How do you get around on All-Star Weekend? With San Francisco expecting tens of thousands of visitors for various All-Star events in addition to even more people attend the Chinese New Year's Parade on Saturday (as well as other associated happenings throughout the weekend), traffic in the city is expected to be challenging. The SFMTA released detailed information earlier this week about the various street closures and Muni re-routes around the Moscone Center and the Chase Center for All-Star Weekend. On the plus side, Muni service will also be free for the entire weekend with the exception of the cable car lines, which will make it much easier for visitors willing to take public transit to the various All-Star Weekend destinations. The SFMTA has more information on related street closures and route impacts at its website. BART is also providing information on how to get to Chase Center and the Oakland Arena (which uses its own designated Coliseum BART station) on the transit agency's website. Which All-Stars are playing? The All-Stars are split into three teams of eight players this year, drafted by TNT analysts Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith. The rundown: Chuck's Global Stars: Denver's Nikola Jokic, Oklahoma City's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, San Antonio's Victor Wembanyama, Indiana's Pascal Siakam, Houston's Alperen Sengun, New York's Karl-Anthony Towns, Cleveland's Donovan Mitchell, Atlanta's Trae Young. (Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo was supposed to play but cannot because of injury. Young replaced him in the game.) Shaq's OGs: Los Angeles Lakers' LeBron James, Golden State's Stephen Curry, Dallas' Kyrie Irving, Boston teammates Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, Phoenix's Kevin Durant, Milwaukee's Damian Lillard and the Los Angeles Clippers' James Harden. (Dallas' Anthony Davis was supposed to play but cannot because of injury. Irving replaced him for the game.) Kenny's Young Stars: Minnesota's Anthony Edwards, New York's Jalen Brunson, Memphis' Jaren Jackson Jr., Oklahoma City's Jalen Williams, Cleveland teammates Darius Garland and Evan Mobley, Detroit's Cade Cunningham and Miami's Tyler Herro. What is the new NBA All-Star Game format? The NBA All-Star Game will launch a radically different new tournament format this year that makes its debut Sunday at the Chase Center in San Francisco. What was once a standard basketball game with squads from the East and West conferences facing off, this year the All-Star Game will feature a mini-tournament with four teams playing games to 40 points. That mean's there is no game clock -- just a shot clock -- and nobody fouls out. The fourth team in the tournament will be the one that wins the Rising Stars competition on Friday. That will include a mix of rookie and second year players making up three teams along with a fourth team of G League players. For All-Star Game purposes, it will be called Candace's Rising Stars, in honor of Candace Parker. The semifinal matchups on All-Star Sunday will have Chuck's Global Stars facing Kenny's Young Stars and Shaq's OGs taking on Candace's Rising Stars. There is a prize pool of $1.8 million for the All-Star tournament. Each player on the All-Star champion team gets $125,000, each player on the runner-up team will get $50,000 and the players on the teams eliminated in the semifinals will each get $25,000. Who is performing at All-Star weekend? In addition to the scheduled NBA All-Star concerts at Pier 48 that require separate paid admission, a number of artists will be performing at the main events throughout the weekend. DJ Cassidy, Too $hort, Saweetie, En Vogue and Raphael Saadiq will be among the featured performers on All-Star Sunday, with comedian Kevin Hart serving at the emcee during the tournament. For All-Star Saturday night, H.E.R. and LiAngelo Ball — the brother of NBA guards Lonzo Ball and LaMelo Ball — will be among the performers. Bay Area rapper LaRussell will take the stage to perform an original song to introduce the Rising Stars on Friday night.
