All-Star game back in Chicago in 2020
The NBA is bringing the All-Star game to Chicago for the first time since Michael Jordan dazzled his home crowd.
The All-Star festivities will reportedly be held in Chicago in 2020.
The news is expected to be official Friday when commissioner Adam Silver, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and team officials hold a news conference on the United Center court. Yahoo! Sports first reported the news.
The last time the All-Star festivities were in Chicago, Jordan put on quite a show.
He and Dominique Wilkins soared in an epic slam dunk contest, “His Airness” edging out the “Human Highlight Reel” with one last spectacular display.
After Wilkins threw down a windmill jam, Jordan walked to the opposite end of the floor, came running back as the crowd roared, took off at the free-throw line, clutched in the air and threw it down.
Jordan got a perfect 50 and his second consecutive contest title.
But there was another memorable performance coming.
Jordan scored 40 in the All-Star game to lead the East to a 138-133 victory against the West at Chicago Stadium.
A 40-year-old Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, making his 17th of 18 appearances, broke Oscar Robertson’s career AllStar scoring mark. That record is currently held by LeBron James.
Chicago also hosted the game in 1973. The festivities in 2020 will mark the first time the city has hosted a major league All-Star game since 2003.
Baseball held its Midsummer Classic at the White Sox’s home on the South Side that year. The NHL last held its All-Star game in Chicago in 1991.
Bucks
Milwaukee coach Jason Kidd was fined $15,000 by the NBA for public criticism of the officiating in a loss at Cleveland.
Kidd made the comments after the 124-119 loss Tuesday night. Milwaukee was called for 31 personal fouls to 18 for Cleveland, and the Cavaliers attempted 38 free throws. Kidd pointed out that over the past three games, opponents have tried 95 free throws to 40 for Milwaukee.
Lakers
Lonzo Ball’s poor shooting continued as the No. 2 overall draft pick out of UCLA shot 25 percent from the field in Los Angeles’ 11195 loss at Washington. Ball had 10 points on 3-of-12 shooting, eight rebounds and eight assists. The rookie entered the game making 29.5 percent of his fieldgoal attempts this season.