With a new Shaquille O’Neal statue in front of Staples Center arriving next season and a football team returning to the city of Angels, Los Angeles has become a hot bed for sports attractions lately. As the city ships off its bid for the 2024 Olympics, it may also be getting another big sporting even coming to town before they find out their Olympic fate.
The city of Los Angeles is the early favorite to land the 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend, and for those who have experienced the last two All-Star games in the freezing cold, this might be welcomed with open arms.
Following from Sam Amick of USA Today.
According to two people with knowledge of the situation, the NBA and Los Angeles officials have made significant progress toward finalizing a partnership for the event. The deal is not done, but the prospect of All-Star weekend returning to Los Angeles for the first time since 2011 is very strong. The people spoke to USA TODAY Sports on the condition of anonymity because an agreement had not yet been reached.
Indianapolis and Miami were also known to be on the league’s short list of possible cities for 2018. Sacramento officials had hoped to land the 2018 event as a fitting reward for the expected October opening of the Kings’ Golden 1 Center in the downtown area, but have since shifted their focus to a 2019 bid.
Before we get to 2018, we have to get to 2017 and the All-Star Weekend will be held in Charlotte, North Carolina. Hopefully, Charlotte will not have historically cold days during the weekend like Toronto and New York did over the last two years.
The 2018 NBA All-Star Weekend could come with a welcome new look Lakers and Clippers team because who knows what could happen in the next two years with both rosters.
UPDATE:
Mike Bresnahan of the Los Angeles Times reports that Los Angeles will indeed be the site of the 2018 NBA All-Star Game.
Staples Center will host the 2018 NBA All-Star Game, the league will officially announce Tuesday before the Lakers host Memphis.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) March 21, 2016
Just like in 2011 and 2004, neither the Lakers nor Clippers will be the official "host" when 2018 NBA All-Star game is at Staples Center.
— Mike Bresnahan (@Mike_Bresnahan) March 21, 2016
