All Star news and notes.

Law and Order?
This Sunday’s NBA All Star Game will be the first held in a non-NBA city. If that city were, say, St. Louis, there might not be any intrigue. However, the city is Las Vegas — arguably the third most famous city in the U.S., behind New York and Los Angeles. Vegas is infamous for the untoward activities that occur there; the city’s famous commercial slogan is “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas”. Gambling and general ‘debauchery’ are virtual hallmarks of the city.

Add NBA players to that mix, and the media could have a field day. Surprisingly, the Gary Thornes and Phil Mushnicks of the sportswriting world have been quiet on linking NBA players in Vegas to potential criminal acts. Thankfully, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman has picked up the slack.

“I don?t want to see some gangbangers or hip-hoppers knocking over a jewelry store at Fashion Show mall.”

Nice.

Aside from Mayor Goodman, who despite his comments apparently wants an NBA team in his city, other Las Vegas officials are taking action. The Las Vegas police apparently needed the motivation of an NBA All Star Game to get several criminals off the streets:

Local and federal law enforcement agents are working to make the weekend safe by taking some dangerous criminals off the streets.

And over the last week, authorities ran a special operation to get as many fugitive felons off the streets as possible. By working together, and pooling their resources, this task force tracked down and arrested more fugitives at a quicker pace.

Along the way there were foot chases, methamphemine lab busts and much more. The U.S. Marshals and other federal, state, and local police agencies scoured the streets for known felons in what’s being called Operation Slam Dunk.

Just to clarify: because of the NBA All Star Game, the police are actually putting out an effort. And once the NBA All Star Game is over, they’ll go back to the coffee shop. Goren and Eames indeed.

“Brand Wade”
Aside from Mayor Goodman’s comment and the increased motivation for the Las Vegas police, most of the news surrounding All Star Weekend has been relatively good. Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade is meeting with representatives from the companies he endorses as part of the “Brand Wade Summit”.

?You have a roomful of all my partners ? all the people that care about Dwyane Wade and the Wade name and brand ? together to talk and chat and see what direction they want to go in.”

Yes, that was Dwyane Wade talking about himself in the third person. Is Dwayne Wade more marketable than LeBron James? Or does the Nike contract alone put LeBron on a higher level than Wade? David Stern could care less; he wins either way. One thing’s for sure: there’s no Brand LeBron summit in Las Vegas this weekend, which means that Wade might have the upper hand.

Barkley v. Bavetta and self-control.
Meanwhile, the race between Charles Barkley and Dick Bavetta could attract even the most NBA-unfriendly casual fan. Spawned from some idle comments by Barkley during a game between the Lakers and Kings, the showdown has been in the works for weeks. Generally out of shape Barkley versus generally corpse-like Bavetta in a “a footrace during TNT’s coverage of NBA All-Star Saturday Night … Barkley and Bavetta will race baseline to baseline, and then to the half-court line of the regulation basketball court at the Thomas & Mack Arena.”

Not since the halcyon days of Gilbert Arenas have bloggers been so excited.

“This is why the NBA is the greatest league in the world. I, for one, cannot wait to watch this. My money is on the Chuckster; as much as he loves to act a fool on TNT every week, I don’t think he’s ready to face the humiliation of losing a physical challenge (one he initiated, no less) to a senior citizen. My heart, though, is with Bevetta. Go old people!”

While there is excitement over Barkley’s race against Bavetta, there is trepidation on other fronts — namely, Barkley’s excessive gambling. Recent stories of his exploits in the very city where the All Star Game is being played have prompted concern from Commissioner David Stern.

“I think it’s fair to say that [Barkley’s gambling is] a subject worthy of some quiet discussion, and I’m apt to do that behind closed doors … And it wouldn’t be with him, it would be with TNT.”

New ventures.
And as always, any All Star Weekend is cause for the league to unveil new ventures. Earlier this week came the news that the league was televising the All Star Game in 3-D high definition. The telecast, available to a select invited audience, will be the first sports event ever televised in 3-D HD. The NBA is also talking seriously about a China-based arm of the league; the league “is considering starting a new league or partnering with the Chinese Basketball Association”.

The final new venture is simply an extension of an old one; an extension of the current television deal will be a topic at David Stern’s State of the League address. According to Newsday, the league is planning on renewing the television deal by the NBA Finals.