2012 NBA All-Star Game

Lore & Background

The Orlando Magic were awarded the All-Star Game in an announcement by commissioner David Stern on May 4, 2010. This was the second time Orlando hosted the All-Star Game; the city previously hosted the event in 1992 at the Orlando Arena, the Magic's previous home arena. Despite the 2011 NBA lockout, which reduced the regular season to sixty-six games, the All-Star Game took place as scheduled.

In Their Own Story

The air inside Amway Center hummed with anticipation as the lights dimmed over the pristine hardwood. Dwight Howard stood at center court, the Orlando Magic logo gleaming beneath his sneakers, feeling the roar of eighteen thousand fans rise like a tidal wave. As he launched into his pre-game warmup routine, the crowd's chant echoed off the glass walls, a testament to the city that had embraced him as a local legend. When the final buzzer sounded and the East secured the win, Howard raised his arms, not just for himself, but for every fan who had traveled from across Florida to witness history in their new home.

Reader's Guide

The All-Star Weekend began on Friday, February 24, 2012, with the Celebrity Game and the Rising Stars Challenge. On Saturday, the event continued with All-Star Saturday Night, featuring the Shooting Stars Competition, Skills Challenge, Three-Point Shootout, and Slam Dunk Contest. The D-League All-Star Game and D-League Dream Factory also took place on Saturday before the NBA All-Star Saturday Night. The coaches were Scott Brooks (Western Conference) and Tom Thibodeau (Eastern Conference). The starters were chosen by fan ballot; Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic topped the ballots with 1,600,390 votes. The reserves were chosen by NBA head coaches. Kevin Durant scored a game-high 36 points and was named MVP. Kobe Bryant became the leading scorer in All-Star history with 271 points, passing Michael Jordan. Dwyane Wade recorded a triple-double (24 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists).

Did You Know?

• Kevin Durant was named the All-Star Game Most Valuable Player, not Dwight Howard.
• This was the second time Orlando hosted the All-Star Game; the first was in 1992.
• Dwight Howard was the only Orlando Magic player on the Eastern Conference roster.
• Kobe Bryant became the All-Star Game's all-time leading scorer during this game.
• Dwyane Wade recorded a triple-double, joining LeBron James and Michael Jordan as the only players to do so in an All-Star Game.