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The Rookie Challenge isn’t always the most fun thing from All-Star Weekend. A lot of times, the players try to hard to be fancy and flashy and forgo anything that resembles basketball. But last year’s game was a ton of fun. But that probably has something to do with Kevin Durant going nova during it and dropping an All-Star Weekend record 46 points.

Last year, I did a live diary for the game. I’ll actually be in the building computer in hand this year, so no witty commentary on commercials or announcers. I know you’re bummed. I’ll just comment on the crazy vendor behind me that keep yelling “POPCORN” in a high pitch voice. So follow along and refresh this page for some live updates from the American Airlines Center. Sunday I’ll actually live diary the thing for real, but I’ll definitely have some updates from the arena tonight.

So hang around, talk a little and enjoy All-Star Weekend.

7:59 PM CST: And we’re like ready to start. The screaming children are everywhere and it’s deafening even though the arena is two-thirds empty. Read more…

Diary Rookie/Sophomore game

Good for them. Per a release:

Oklahoma City Thunder guards James Harden and Russell Westbrook lead a list of 18 players selected for the 2010 T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam to be held on Friday, February 12 at American Airlines Center in Dallas during NBA All-Star 2010.

The participants in the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge & Youth Jam were selected by the NBA’s assistant coaches, with each team submitting one ballot.

The Rookie team: Omri Casspi, DeJuan Blair, Stephen Curry, Tyreke Evans, Jonny Flynn, Taj Gibson, James Harden, Brandon Jennings, Jonas Jerekbo.

The Sophs: Michael Beasley, Marc Gasol, Danilo Gallinari, Eric Gordon, Brook Lopez, Kevin Love, O.J. Mayo, Derrick Rose, Russell Westbrook.

I don’t think there’s any question the Sophomores have an advantage. Obviously Tyreke is awesome, but top to bottom, the Sophomores are pretty stacked. Especially in the backcourt. Mayo, Rose, Gordon and Westbrook. That’s good stuff. Of course, we all remember Kevin Durant taking game MVP honors with an All-Star Weekend record 46 points last year. Maybe Russ has something special in store for us this year.

News Rookie/Sophomore game

Who doesn’t love the Rookie Challenge, huh? Well, probably lots of people and I can guarantee I probably wouldn’t be watching if it weren’t for one-fourth of the Thunder roster participating. I’d likely be at Harkins getting ready to see Friday the 13th and being super pissed at my buddy Andy for making me see it with him. I think this will be better. But I can’t guarantee that.

7:51 p.m. CST: What is the draw of the celebrity basketball game? Seriously, someone help me here. It’s basically just two hours of total awkwardness. Unathletic people playing against old former players that run like they should be in a Saturday morning church league. Then someone airballs, throws his arms up making a face, does a little dance and everybody fake laughs hysterically. It’s awful. And yet I am watching… (sigh)

8:07: Here’s our opening with Dwayne Wade dressed like Urkel, actually looking more like Stefan Urquelle. Him and Dwight Howard are the assistant coaches and evidently the MCs for the starting lineups. Are there like 2,000 high school girls in the arena or is that a girlish yell track they are playing for everyone? What’s the deal with the high pitched screaming? And Howard gave Kevin Durant extra special treatment with a “You know who he is… KEVINNNN DUUUUURRRRANNNNTTTT!!!!!” Thanks Dwight. I’m sure Jeff Green appreciated the, “Oh, also from the Oklahoma City Thunder, Jeff Green.” Don’t worry, he’s used to it.

8:11: Our announcers are Kevin “NO REGARD FOR HUMAN LIFE!” Harlan, LeBron James and Kenny Smith. LeBron tells us that KD’s natural position is the two-guard because Jeff Green is playing the three. Either Bron didn’t get the news that P.J. Carlesimo got canned or didn’t realize Durant was guarding him the last time they played. Whatever. Read more…

Diary Rookie/Sophomore game