Los Angeles to host 2011 NBA All-Star game

LOS ANGELES, June 7 (Xinhua) -- The 2011 NBA All-Star game will be played at Los Angeles Staples Center, bringing an estimated 100 million dollars in revenue to the city, it was announced on Sunday.

National Basketball Association Commissioner David Stern made the official announcement this afternoon at the stadium, shortly before game 2 of the NBA finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and Orlando Magic.

The 60th NBA All-Star Game will be played on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011, and will be preceded by the

Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam Feb. 18, and the Shooting Stars, Skills Challenge, Three-Point Shootout and Slam Dunk Contest Feb. 19.

The festivities are expected to generate an economic impact of 100 million dollars for the city, according to the Mayor's Office.

"There is no better place to host the action and drama of the NBA All-Star Game than on the stage of so many award winning performances," said

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who was also at the announcement.

"On behalf of the city Los Angeles, we look forward to welcoming NBA fans and players from across the country and around the globe to the entertainment capital of the world," he said.

NBA All-Star Jam Session, an interactive basketball celebration, will return to the Los Angeles Convention Center with additional events and programming set to take place across the street from Staples Center within the new L.A. Live sports, residential and entertainment district.

The 2011 All-Star Game will be the fifth played in the Los Angeles area. The 1963 game was played at the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, the 1972 and 1983 games at the Forum in Inglewood and the 2004 game at Staples Center.

The 2010 game will be played at Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

In the 2004 game, the Lakers' Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant combined for 44 points as the West edged the East 136-132. O'Neal earned MVP honors with 24 points and 11 rebounds.

In the 1972 game, Lakers' star Jerry West made the winning shot, a last- second jumper that gave the West a 112-110 victory and netted him MVP honors.