NBA All-Star Nike Party ~ Q-Tip, Kanye West, Kobe Bryant, etc.

Tickets and parking pass

Every year there are one or two parties that are special during the NBA All-Star weekend. I was fortunate enough to be given two tickets to the Nike Party. **** Thank you to Q-Tip and the Insideplaya!!! The Nike party was supposed to be held at Drai’s which from what I hear is an outdoor spot at the W Hollywood. When I arrived to pick-up the tickets, I was happy to see that the party was being set up in the lobby area (i.e. Living Room) of the hotel. The weather had been unpredictable with rain and wind, so an outdoor setting wouldn’t work.

I invited my friend Teri to join me at the party. There are very few occasions when I can take care of friends who take care of me for basketball, and this was one occasion where I could return the favor. **** If I offer you a ticket and you don’t accept it, because you think you can get a better offer ~ recognize that you’re going to the bottom of my list or will possibly unlisted in the future. I don’t deal well with people who think they can get a better offer, when I’m already offering you the BEST.

I knew Q-Tip would be spinning at the Nike party and that Kobe Bryant would be there. I had no idea that Kanye West would be performing. Talk about a surprise!

As we headed to the party, we passed the Music Box where Kenny “The Jet” Smith was holding his annual NBA All-Star party. There was a large group of people standing outside the venue trying to gain entry. As we approached the W Hollywood, Teri and I traded our tickets for wristbands and went to enter the party. There were 2 tents set-up outside. The first tent was more the metal detectors, and Teri and I skipped that line. The second tent was to get in, and there was a large crowd trying to get in. Teri went straight to the front of that line and I followed her. We passed, Suzy , from the TV show Basketball Wives. She too was trying to get in and skip the line. While waiting a few minutes, I saw Ne-Yo and what looked like 15 of his friends go in.

Dirk Nowitzki

As we went into the party, Teri went in one entrance and I went through another. I ended up going upstairs in an elevator and going across the floor and down the stairs to the main floor. This route gave me a very good lay of the land. As I went down the stairs, I saw Q-Tip, Dirk Nowitzki, Russell Westbrook, Ne-Yo, World Wide Wes, Brandy, Deron Williams and Ron Harper. Finally re-uniting with Teri, we went to the bar and I saw Rick Fox, Eliza Dushku, and Scottie Pippen (i.e. and his wife, Larsa, who will star on Real Housewives of Miami).

With Spike Lee

Spike Lee was in the house as well.

After I got my drink, I went over to see Q-Tip to thank him for giving me the tickets. I patiently waited for him to “break”, but the man was WORKING/WIRKING! He was killing it. Finally, I had my chance to say “Thank you” and formally introduce myself. I’ll never forget his big, warm smile. Of course he went back to work, and I went back to the party,

If you’ve never been to a Nike party, you need to go. Make no mistake, Nike knows how to throw a party. There were passed burgers, sushi, etc. in addition to the open bar. Food is hard to come by when you’re always on the go, so it was great to be able to eat a little bit at the party.

Jalen Rose

I’m not sure what time it was, but my friend Teri who was also planned to hit the ESPN party was sent a text that the ESPN party had ended. Too bad for those folks. The Nike party was just kicking into another gear. For the ESPN folks that could get in to the Nike party, it looks like decided to come on over. 

Kobe Bryant

Eventually Kobe Bryant (i.e. and his wife et al) showed up and took the table next to where I was near Q-Tip. Kobe’s Nike film played and Dirk Nowitzki flashed the “big L” (i.e. loser sign towards Kobe, but it was all in good fun). After that, Kanye West took the stage and performed. Kanye’s set was great. However, I must admit that I’m a huge Kanye West fan and I love watching him perform.

Kanye West performing

I saw the party as it was being set up and as the party ended I realized I would also be closing it down. I saw Kevin Durant again this year, and told him “Thunder Up”. He smiled. The last person I saw was Rajon Rondo, so I just reminded him that I saw him in the Bahamas over the summer.

Finally around 4AM, it was time to sleep.

**** Forgive the pictures. I read that no cameras would be allowed, so I left it in my hotel room. Had I known that I wouldn’t have to go through the metal detector, I would’ve brought it in. This is the best that my iPhone could do.

What a FANTASTIC party!

THE WIRK

NBA All-Star Friday: Picked up Nike tickets, Missed Celebrity game, Caught Rookie Challenge

I flew to Los Angeles on Friday on my first Virgin America flight. **** If you haven’t flown Virgin America, do it. The airline is HOT. Virgin America is like a W Hotel in the sky. The airline is sexy. Wifi, individual TV’s, power outlet to charge electronic devices, and the ability to order food whenever you like through your TV screen.

Upon arrival at LAX I had to hustle to the W Hollywood to pick up tickets to the Nike party. **** The tickets were courtesy of my friend the Insideplaya and Q-Tip. Thank you, guys! As I raced to Hollywood, I realized that since my flight was delayed 2 hours, I was going to miss the NBA All-Star Celebrity game. So much for seeing Magic Johnson and my Bieber-fever… **** At NBA Jam Session, one of the ESPN radio guys described Justin Bieber as the Ricky Rubio of the Celebrity game. Great line! Yes, I missed the game. That’s just the way it goes sometimes.

I needed to pick up the tickets at the hotel, for the party later that night and LA traffic wasn’t cooperating. With 10 minutes to spare, I picked up the tickets. Good thing I checked my ticket envelope! Originally they forgot my +1, but the problem was solved easily once I pointed out the problem and showed my email history. Thank you, Nike!

As I was leaving the hotel, people started to arrive. I’m not a car person, but I do know a Rolls Royce when I see it. Nice!

With tickets in hand I raced back downtown to check-in to my hotel. After checking in, I hopped in a cab to make it to the Rookie Challenge. I wanted to watch the NBA All-Star Rookie v Sophomore game. **** Zydrunas won MVP of the game many years ago. Did you know that the trophy is actually 2 pieces? Pay attention, next time. The player who raises the prize holds onto both the base and the top part.

I made it to the Staples Center for the Rookie v Sophomore game and decided rather than watch the rest of the 1st half, I needed to get in line for food. I WAS STARVING. I hadn’t eaten since 8AM EST and it was probably 7PM PST. With each Rookie Challenge ticket, came a $15 food voucher. I had 2 tickets, and bought $15 of food and $15 of candy. I like candy.  **** I bought Red Vines for the first time. Are they supposed to be less sweet, compared to Twizzlers? I prefer to Twizzlers. Preference for Red Vines must be a West coast thing.

For the Rookie challenge I decided to climb to the top of the Staples Center. I did it in 4-inch heeled boots. This was a HUGE mistake. My feet still haven’t forgiven me, but I wanted to get a picture of the entire court.

Seeing as that the All-Star festivities were held in Los Angeles and Blake Griffin has garnered so much positive attention, the crowd at the Staples Center yelled, "We want Blake," towards the end of the game.  He stood up to tease them, but didn't re-enter down the stretch.

The Rookies won the game, and DeMarcus Cousins led the squad with 33 points. John Wall had 12, points and 22 assists in 29 minutes of action. The Washington Wizards’ own was the MVP of the Rookie v Sophomore game!

THE WIRK