Masai Ujiri to host All-Star game in Canada

THE 2016 NBA All-Star weekend is just around the corner, and Toronto Raptors General Manager Masai Ujiri can’t wait to host the best NBA players, coaches, executives and fans.

For the first time in the 65-year history of the All-Star Game squads representing the Eastern and Western Conferences will square off outside the United State, at the Air Canada Centre, home of the Raptors in Canada.

The events of the entire All-Star weekend will be screened live on SuperSport, and Nigerian Ujiri, who took on the Raptors GM role three years ago, feels the game comes to the right city at the right time.

To make things even better, two Raptors players Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan will feature for the Eastern Conference team.

Talking to the media in the build up to the game Ujiri said: “I am happy that our team is trying to go from good to very good. It’s always a big celebration for me and the NBA. We are really proud to host it. I think it’s going to be phenomenal for everybody. We just want to show who we are.

A lot of people don’t know Toronto, but they talk about it. We are hoping that the basketball play will make people know about the Raptors. That’s the task we have, but in terms of this weekend, beautiful people, beautiful city, great restaurants, it’s a great festival, beautiful weather.”

This year’s All-Star competitions will get underway on Friday, 12 February, with the Sprint All-Star Celebrity Game and the BBVA Rising Stars Challenge, a game featuring the league’s top rookies and second-year players.

Saturday’s festivities will feature State Farm All-Star Saturday Night, an all-inclusive skills showcase comprised of the Sears Shooting Stars, a competition featuring NBA and WNBA players, and NBA legends; the Taco Bell Skills Challenge, a contest of top guards working against the clock to complete a series of passes, free throws, layups and agility drills; the Foot Locker Three-
Point Contest, a long-standing staple of the evening; and the high-flying Sprite Slam Dunk contest.

Sunday’s slate of activities will also feature the Sprint Concert before the 65th NBA All-Star Game.

Culled from www.SuperSports.com