FanHouse Nbaall Starweekend

The NBA finally decided to bring back the HORSE contest, and this one should be a fun way to start off the night's festivities. Join us as we wait for TNT to get through Inside the NBA and get to HORSE, which should start around 6:15 PM ET. Your 2009 TNT HORSE Contestants: Joe Johnson, OJ Mayo, Kevin Durant.

After last night's 46-point explosion from Durant in the Rookies-Sophomores Game, he has to be considered the favorite. Durant showed incredible range and versatility and is absolutely incredible to watch. Johnson and Mayo should be able to give Durant a very solid push, though. Join us at after the jump for a LiveBlog-O-Rama-Rama brought to you by your momma!

All-Star Weekend is not only about parties and groupies. Indeed, its proceedings are just as much about victory and defeat as anything else that happens before the second half. With this in mind, we three FanHouse wisemen have put together our expert opinions on what might happen.

Sprite Rising Stars Slam Dunk Contest:

Gerald Green, Boston Celtics: 3:1. From the experts to the forums, G-Money appears to be the odds on favorite to take home the Golden Globe. He's got the vomit-inducing hops; the right attitude; and he was born at halftime of Super Bowl XX, so you know he's a natural born performer.

Nate Robinson, New York Knicks: 5:1. When you're the size of my grandpa and can jump over a Mini, you're always going to have a pretty good shot at winning this thing. Last year's experience will help, too.

Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic: 9:1. If you believe the rumors, Young Thunder is going to Hancock the backboard, French-kiss the rim, and throw one down so hard it'll bring Shawn Kemp to his knees. Bonus: He's got the Holy Spirit in his right heel.

Tyrus Thomas, Chicago Bulls: 20:1. This year's Hakim Warrick clone better bring the nasty early, or else he'll be booed out of Vegas for his, "I'm just in it for the free money" mouth fart.

All-Star Weekend is not only about parties and groupies. Indeed, its proceedings are just as much about victory and defeat as anything else that happens before the second half. With this in mind, we three FanHouse wisemen have put together our expert opinions on what might happen.

Foot Locker Three-Point Shootout:

Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards: 3:2. Of all the contestants in the thing, he has the lowest 3PT%. He'll also want it more than anyone else, though, and has probably been dreaming of getting avenging his loss since the finished as runner-up to Dirk last year. He'll win, and will probably call Mike Krzyzewski immediately afterwards and tell him to go to hell.

Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks: 3:1. The winners of these things do have a tendency to repeat. They've had 20 of these, and only 9 times has the winner been a different guy from the year before. Bird did it (x3), so did Craig Hodges (x3), Mark Price, Jeff Hornacek, and Peja Stojakovic. His familiarity with the format is his biggest advantage.

Jason Kapono, Miami Heat: 6:1. Leads the NBA in three-point percentage, and there's really not a close second. He's at 56%, and the closest to him is Steve Nash at 49%. I think he'll end up losing, though, and somehow, someway, it will be Antoine Walker's fault.

Mike Miller, Memphis Grizzlies: 8:1. Not the sexiest of candidates, but does have the smooth stroke to come in and pull the upset. He's also come off the bench a lot in his career, so it won't be a problem for him to sit for a while, step up to a rack cold, and start unloading.

Jason Terry, Dallas Mavericks: 9:1. He's a fantastic shooter, but seems more like a guy who thrives on the pressure of the moment. If you're in a Game 7, down 2, with under ten seconds to play, you probably can't do much better than Jason Terry. I think he'll struggle with the repetitive format, though.

Damon Jones, Cleveland Cavaliers: 20:1. Jones is probably only in the competition because he pretty much begged to be included. He'll want it more than anyone other than Arenas, because he's desperate to be famous. His performance will be memorable, but probably not because he won, but because he took the court in zebra print assless chaps or something. He seems destined to fail.

All-Star Weekend is not only about parties and groupies. Indeed, its proceedings are just as much about victory and defeat as anything else that happens before the second half. With this in mind, we three FanHouse wisemen have put together our expert opinions on what might happen.

All-Star Game MVP:

LeBron James, Cleveland Cavaliers: 3:1. Yawn. On talent alone, he's the NBA's zenith. He won it last year without barely lifting a finger, and could make this game into something fantastic if he's enlisted to man the point. Frankly, LeBron's image could use this kind of boost-and his struggles with Mike Brown could stand a little more leverage.

Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets: 5:1. Career season. Revenge factor. People's champ. West low on his kind of scorer. Unfortunately, he's got to share the ball with Kobe, and like Kobe, will be panned by some whether he goes for 30 or lays low. Him and Arenas are currently neck-in-neck for the "career year gone most horribly awry" award.

Gilbert Arenas, Washington Wizards: 7:1. If he weren't starting, he'd have a better chance. But his recent run of sourness probably has him feeling slighted, and he was abysmal in the 2006 ASG. So the all-powerful motivating factor is there. Arenas might be expected to be more of a distributor, and a 20 assist game would certainly be a back-handed way to silence the hate.

Steve Nash, Phoenix Suns: 8:1. No, he's not playing. But if the league gives him this trophy, maybe they can get away with not awarding him his third MVP.

Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks: 10:1. Joe Johnson is so good, and so few people know it, that you might as well live a little and bet this. He was the unsung hero of the Olympic team, and almost no one in the know thinks the Hawks got fleeced by the Suns. Johnson doesn't exactly play All-Star Game basketball, but he'll be constructive and popular if given his moments.

Assuming you're filthy rich, I'm sure you've already purchased tickets to socialize with injured Warriors, stare at Melyssa Ford's "assets" and share pet care tips with Ron Artest. At least, you better have. Otherwise, my All-Star Weekend Party Guide dispatches have been all for naught!

But hey, if you're not partied out yet, here's some new juicy details regarding two of the hottest bashes in town. From the amazingly well-informed, and delightfully named, NORM! Vegas Confidential:

The toughest party ticket in Las Vegas this week? It's a coin flip between Michael Jordan's birthday party at Bellagio and Paris Hilton's soiree at the Hard Rock Hotel. Both are on Saturday.

Organizers for Jordan's party have reportedly been on a mission to hire 75 models and dancers. He turns 44.

The invite list to Hilton's 26th birthday party at The Joint includes former party pal Nicole Richie. Also invited: Fergie of the Black Eyed Peas, Snoop Dogg, porn star Jenna Jameson, actress Elisha Cuthbert, music producer Scott Storch and rapper Fat Joe.

At 3 a.m. the Hilton party moves the Hard Rock Penthouse, where host Jeff Beacher has assembled a mini-"Madhouse," with little people, the Tiny Kiss band, a monkey, goat, stiltwalkers and plus-sized go-go dancers.

Now, assuming you're NOT filthy rich, but could afford to attend one of these parties, which one would you pick: Paris or Jordan's?

Before you answer, though, keep in mind that Jordan's party may also transform into a mini-"Madhouse," complete with little Earl Boykins, the Atlanta Hawks' house band, Antoine Walker, Kobe, Sun Ming Ming and plus-sized slow-mo dancers. Well, hopefully. OK, let's hear it.

Over the next few weeks, I'll bring you up to speed regarding all the latest parties and events planned during NBA All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas (Feb 15-19).

Event: "Babes & Ballers" hosted by Alex Thomas.

Huh? The English Drummer From Indie-Rock Band 'Badly Drawn Boy'?: No, HBO comedian Alex Thomas. (He played Phil on the Jamie Foxx Show, I think.)

Date: Saturday, February 17 ... or Sunday, February 18. Depends on how long it takes Nate Robinson to finish his dunks.

Location: Scores Gentleman's Club. A strip club synonymous with elegance, superior service and BOOBIES!

Cost For A Lap Dance: $20

Cost For The Champagne Room: $500 (1 hour)

Is There Sex In The Champagne Room?: No matter what a stripper tells you ... NO!

Babes Scheduled To Appear: Miss Melyssa Ford (Hip Hop Honey and Urban Magazine Cover Model) and Yvette Lopez (Miss Playboy Latin America 2005). Both hot.

Ballers Scheduled To Appear: Josh Smith (Hawks), Kenyon Martin and Marcus Camby (Nuggets), Caron Butler and Deshawn Stevenson (Wizards), and Rafer Alston (Rockets).

Anybody Else?: BET's Big Tigger, some NFL dudes, R&B artist Lil' Mo -- who will be nowhere near the champagne room! Hiyo! -- and Jim Leyritz, 1996 "World Series Hero" with the New York Yankees.

Tickets: Between $180-500.

Just when you thought NBA All-Star Weekend couldn't get any better, comes this fantastic little bit of news from USA Today:

TNT has proposed Charles Barkley race NBA ref Dick Bavetta on Feb. 17 - the day before the NBA All-Star Game. This came after Barkley, on air, said Bavetta, 67, had "parted the Red Sea with Moses." Barkley added Bavetta's tombstone will read, "He keeled over while racing the Chuckster!" Details of the race aren't final.

Awful Announcing lists Bavetta as the early odds-on favorite at 3-1, but I think that line is way off. I mean, seriously, I'd put money on Chuck failing to even finish the race, let alone keep it close. So yeah, I've got Dickie in a cakewalk ... and well, Chucky eating cake while walking. Thoughts?

Over the next few weeks, I'll bring you up to speed regarding all the latest parties and events planned during NBA All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas (Feb 15-19).

Event: "How The West Was One" -- All-Star VIP Event Player's Arrival Party

Date: Thursday, February 15.

Location: Empire Ballroom, formerly called Club Utopia. Apparently it's Las Vegas' newest and fastest growing music venue and nightclub. (Sure...)

Is There A Western Theme Dress Code?: No. But there should be. In fact, I highly suggest you wear a cowboy hat and boots, tight jeans, and bring a white friend with straw hanging out of his/her mouth anyway.

Celebrity Guest Hosts: Jason Richardson, Baron Davis and teammates from the Golden State Warriors; Drew Gooden, his calculator watch and teammates from the Cleveland Cavaliers; and Gary Payton and teammates from the Miami Heat.

Whoa Whoa, Damon Jones Is Going?: Hopefully not.

Antoine Walker?: Told him we were closed for the weekend.

Extra: Live musical performances by DJ Unk ("Walk It Out") and Rich Boy ("Throw Some D's"). Playboy's Vixen cover model Lisa Mackay, and video vixens' Nadia Dawn (Snoop Dogg) and Veronica Rodriguez (Kayne West) will also be in attendance.

Pictures Please?: Oh, sorry. Um, slightly safe for work: Lisa, Nadia, and Veronica.

Tickets: $35 for general admission, and $99 for VIP, which includes access to the 2nd -- much more awesome -- level. In addition, 10 VIP booths will be sold in advance at the discounted price of $1000. (Did someone just say "discount?" Man, I love a good deal. I'll take two!)