With the NBA All-Star Game just a day away and the festivities to start tonight at 8 PM, we take a look back at last years game...and hope, key word there is hope, that we will get a pure and lively two days.

Last year they kicked off the festivities with an Elton John concert. It wasn’t quite that the concert was bad, but they rolled out a pair of inflatable breasts that were 50 feet high. That being in Vegas, I just hope they don’t roll out anything more than some local jazz band to come and play before the three-point shooting, ball handling, and slam dunking is set into motion.

Twenty All-Stars are returning from last year's 29 players in the Sunday night game.  The game has changed over the years, though.

The days that were filled with selfless play, jump hooks, 6'9" point guards, and assists. Now players have one thing on their minds besides making themselves look good.

That is just one thing that is wrong today with the NBA but I wont pursue that topic today.

Anyway, we will sadly be imprinted this year with the image of Charles Barkley (43 at the time, about to turn 44) falling smack on his butt, shaking the whole city of Vegas while racing 67-year-old NBA Referee Dick Bevetta.

Bevetta also has his share of falls, diving for the line during the race, skinning his knees. Just another battle scar for the ref that had been calling charges, travels, and technical fouls since 1975.

Bevetta has not missed a game in his 33-year career (2,200+ games). Nonetheless, we should witness a great night in a city that, quite frankly needs something to be happy about…besides their Hornets, holding the best record in the West.

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