NBA All-Star Game to Make Comeback in Orlando After 20 Years | IXGAMES

It took 20 long years before Orlando finally got its turn to host the historic NBA All-Star Game.  This was confirmed after NBA commissioner David Stern made an announcement last Tuesday that the week-long festivities will be held in Magic’s new arena in 2012. The last time Orlando hosted the All-Star game was in 1992.  It was one of the most memorable moments in the league’s history when Magic Johnson won the MVP award after returning to basketball.  The NBA commissioner recalled what an emotional moment it was to be able to welcome and congratulate one of NBA’s best players.  The comeback of Johnson after his retirement and admission that he tested HIV positive was embraced by a lot of fans and fellow NBA players that time.  Johnson wasn’t able to play all season, but earned a lot of votes, more than any player of the West team.  Deeply honored by the support, he didn’t disappoint spectators. Back in 1992, one of the most memorable events was the showdown with Isiah Thomas and Michael Jordan of Johnson.  It was a night of cheers and tears as Johnson was able to score a total of 25 points and made 9 assists, leading the West team to win the game at 153-113.   Fans were not only thrilled in seeing Johnson play, but was also given hope, especially those who tested HIV positive, that the disease is not the end and that they can still succeed and persevere just like Johnson did.  Even Hall of Famer Kevin McHale of Boston Celtics see it as a monumental moment.  With that, it would be quite hard to beat the same excitement felt during the 1992 All-Star game in Orlando. Hosting the 2012 All-Star game Before the NBA commissioner made the announcement, he was able to take a look at the Amway Center that will be ready for the next season.  He had fulfilled his promise to bring the All-Star game to the new Magic arena, where the Rookie Challenge, Youth Jam, and All-Star Saturday night will be held.  The game is scheduled on February 26, 2012. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dryer and other city officials were glad to hear about the news.  The Orlando Mayor even said to the commissioner that they’d be willing to host the event more than every 20 years, especially since the new arena were built using public funds.  It seems that aside from the NBA fans of Orlando, the city itself has so much to gain from hosting the event, which is expected to bring $100 million as the estimated economic impact. As early as now, fans are excited to see some of the best NBA stars play in their soon-to-be-completed Amway Center.  This will hopefully bring them the lost glory of Magic that suffered from a 14-year drought after losing Shaq O’Neal.  They only returned to the finals last year but lost to the LA Lakers. Perhaps the only thing that could change the plans for 2012 is the 2011-2012 season potential lockout, since the collective bargaining agreement will end after the next season.  There’s still no concrete plan in case this happens, but it seems like Commissioner Stern is determined to have the game in Orlando. Last year, it was Phoenix that hosted the All-Star game.  This year, the game will be held in Dallas, and for the fifth time, Los Angeles will host the event in 2011.