NBA awards 2011 All-Star game to Los Angeles

[June 08, 2009]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The NBA All-Star game will return to Los Angeles for a record fifth time in 2011.

Commissioner David Stern made the announcement Sunday before Game 2 of the NBA finals between the Lakers and Orlando Magic.

The 60th game will be played Feb. 20 at Staples Center, also the site of the 2004 game.

The city also hosted the game in 1963 at the Sports Arena, and at the Forum in suburban Inglewood in 1972 and '83, when Marvin Gaye performed a memorable version of the national anthem.

Staples Center will be the site of the Rookie Challenge, Youth Jam and All-Star Saturday Night. The All-Star Jam Session, an interactive fan experience, will be staged at the convention center next door.

By 2011, a 54-story, 1,001-room complex that includes two hotels and 224 luxury condos will be completed, giving the NBA additional space across the street from Staples Center.

In 2004, Lakers teammates Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant combined for 44 points to give the Western Conference a 136-132 victory over the East. O'Neal earned MVP honors.

Dallas is hosting the 2010 game. This year's event was in Phoenix, where O'Neal and Bryant shared the MVP award and helped the West beat the East 146-119.

[Associated Press]

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