Evan Gole/STAPLES Center (http://www.nba.com/)
Los Angeles, United States | AFP | – Los Angeles was named by the NBA on Tuesday as the host city for the 2018 NBA All-Star Game, the record sixth time the Southern California metropolis will stage the event.
The 67th showdown between elite squads from the Eastern and Western conferences will be played February 18, 2018, at the Staples Center, home arena for the NBA Los Angeles Lakers and Los Angeles Clippers.
“Los Angeles is known for first-class hospitality and entertainment, making it the perfect host for NBA All-Star,” said NBA commissioner Adam Silver. “The city is home to some of the most passionate basketball fans in addition to extraordinary facilities.”
Los Angeles previously hosted the NBA All-Star Game in 1963, 1972, 1983, 2004 and 2011.
NBA legend Bill Russell was the Most Valuable Player of the 1963 All-Star Game at the Los Angeles Sports Arena, when the East beat the West 115-108. Other past MVPs from All-Star Games in Los Angeles include Jerry West of the Lakers in 1972, Julius Erving of Philadelphia in 1983, the Lakers’ Shaquille O’Neal in 2004 and Lakers guard Kobe Bryant in 2011.
Last month’s NBA All-Star Game in Toronto was the highest-scoring contest in the event’s history. Next year’s 2017 NBA All-Star Game will be staged in Charlotte, North Carolina.