It's that time of the year again - NBA All-Star Weekend is here, but this year is a little different. This year the NBA All-Star Game is going to be in my hometown, the best city in the world: Dallas, TX. This is my fifth All-Star Game appearance, but this year is extra special, because I will be playing at home.
Now, I'm probably biased when I say that Dallas is a perfect city for NBA All-Star Weekend - but it is. We have good people, great food and good fun. From what I'm hearing from back home, the city is hyped for all the events next week. The buildings are wrapped with banners; the Dallas Convention Center is getting ready for NBA Jam Session; the American Airlines Center is ready for All-Star Saturday Night; and then, on Sunday, for the All-Star Game, it's out to Arlington for the big show at the best stadium in the world, the brand-new Cowboys Stadium. The Stadium can hold more than 90,000 fans - which means this is will be the largest crowd to ever see a live basketball game, and I'm playing in it...nice!
But it doesn't take much to get me worked up for All-Star Weekend. This is a rare occasion (aside from USA Basketball) to play with some of the best talent currently in the game. When we put on our All-Star uniforms, we know that we are here because of the fans and coaches that wanted us here, and we appreciate it. Every time I put on my All-Star uniform, it reminds me of when I was a kid watching Jordan, Magic or Bird, thinking that one day that could be me. Now when I play, I play to inspire another kid to dream that dream and realize that it can be their reality with hard work and determination. In the spirit of fun, I try to keep a light spirit during the game, to not lose touch with the fact that this All-Star game is supposed to be fun for both us and the fans. We want to give all of you a great show.
You should know that All-Star Weekend is not only about the Rookie/Sophomore Game, the 3-Pt and Slam Dunk Contest and the All-Star Game. Aside from spending time with family and friends, I'll be very involved with a lot of the All-Star events. I'm speaking on a panel during the NBA's Tech Summit and will be also participating in the NBA Cares All-Star Day of Service. I'm looking forward to being one of the coaches for the sophomores during the Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam. Of course, I'll be courtside for All-Star Saturday Night, watching the fellas. With All-Star in Dallas, it was important for me to have my Foundation involved in the weekend's activities. So I will be hosting the Chris Bosh Foundation banquet, where we will honoring our "All-Stars" for their exceptional performance throughout the school year.
For now, I'm really looking forward to coming home, getting on the court and running on the same team with some of the great ballers that I'm usually playing. Special things happen when you get groups of All-Stars together - my favorite memory from a past All-Star Game happened in Atlanta in 2003, when I was still playing at Georgia Tech. The Washington Wizards' Michael Jordan - playing in his final All-Star Game - hit what we all thought was the game-winner before the Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant hit an equally great shot to lead the West to eventual victory in double overtime.
They say everything is bigger in Texas. It is! That's why on Sunday we will be ready to show you exactly why the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas is the perfect place to host the largest crowd to ever attend the NBA All-Star game. See you in Texas!