Celestially, if you’re going with the “stars,” you have to expect a little “Thunder,” too. 

Suns assistant coach Dan Majerle will throw down the clipboard, do his best Superman impression (sorry, Dwight Howard) and rip off the suit and tie to return to action for the McDonald’s NBA All-Star Celebrity Game Friday night.

From center court at Jam Session, “Thunder Dan” will join a stellar list of expected Hollywood stars that includes actors Chris Tucker, James Denton (“Desperate Housewives”), Donald Faison (“Scrubs”), Zachary Levi (“Chuck”) and Michael Rapaport (“Prison Break”), as well as defending celebrity MVP and NFL wide receiver Terrell Owens. [Read more...]

It’s been a dream of mine to participate in an NBA All-Star Weekend since I started watching the NBA when I was about 11 years old.  The thought of being surrounded by the best basketball players on the planet was something amazing – and was also something I had only been able to dream about.  I wasn’t in Phoenix in 1975 or 1995 – the other two times the All-Star game was in town.  And I didn’t really have the means to travel to other All-Star games as I got older.

But now the All-Star game is in our beautiful city again and I’m going to experience everything I can during this week.  One of the things anyone and everyone can do to participate in the All-Star experience is attend NBA All-Star Jam Session to be held at the Phoenix Convention Center starting February 12 and going through February 16.  For those of you who haven’t heard of Jam Session before, there are games for everyone including contests on dribbling, shooting and dunking.  The Harlem Globetrotters will be attending showing off their skills.  Several NBA players will be there signing autographs for free including Amar’e Stoudemire, Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Durant, Dan Majerle and Steve Nash.  And you can pick up the latest NBA All-Star merchandise at the NBA Store.

I’ll be taking my wife and kids to the Jam Session when Jam Session opens and my kids are already excited about the experience.  What eight-year-old wouldn’t want to show off his skills in front of everyone else as he tries his hand at dunking the ball, shooting free throws or dribbling through an obstacle course?  Especially when there is the possibility he’ll see one of the premier basketball players in the game today?

There is a lot more info about the Jam Session online.  I’m not going to miss this event.  You shouldn’t either.  See you there!

A former All-Star Game MVP, Suns Ring of Honor member Tom Chambers will be signing autographs at Dillard’s Scottsdale Fashion Square on Friday, February 13, between 5 – 6 p.m.

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Excited about All-Star weekend coming up in a few weeks?  Now you can get even a little more giddy.  It has just been announced that Hall-of-Famer Rick Barry is scheduled to appear at the team shop located at US Airways Center on Wednesday, February 11 to tip off the All-Star 2009 weekend in Phoenix.

Barry, an 8-time All-Star and member of the NBA’s 50th Anniversary All-Time Team, will be signing autographs in the team shop from 3 to 4 pm on the 11th.

A large selection of All-Star items will be available in the team shop that week as well so combine your All-Star shopping trip with a chance to get a Hall-of-Famer’s autograph and you’ve got a match made in heaven.

(Ned Dishman/NBAE/Getty Images)

Steve Nash will be holding a dinner and charity event on Friday, February 13 in Phoenix during All-Star weekend.  The evening will start out with a dinner tabbed as “an unforgettable intimate experience with Steve” and will be followed by the aptly named Nash Bash.  Limited tickets are available.

Proceeds will benefit the Steve Nash Foundation’s early childhood work in Arizona.  For more information about the event or to purchase tickets, visit SteveNash.org.