Sprite Spark Parks Project

I got word that Sprite is launching a project where they will spruce up courts selected by the online community.

The project is called the Sprite Spark Parks Project: a multi-year commitment to build and restore play environments where teens, families and neighbors can get outside and be active. Through the initiative, locals will be the driving force in rallying support for their community and breathing new life into the play spaces that are so often in less-than-good shape.

There will be least 21 courts that will receive funding in 2011 for items such as new rims, backboards, blacktop surfaces and art installations created by local artists to inspire play. To get involved, nominate courts and check out The Sprite Facebook Page.

This looks like a good project for basketball fans, so head on to the Facebook page and nominate your court!


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Magic Johnson Meet & Greet in New York

Good news! I received an email invite to a Magic Johnson meet and greet event in New York this weekend. The email said:

Los Angeles Lakers Legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson will be in New Rochelle, NY on Thursday, October 14th at the Steiner Sports Headquarters for a private ‘Meet & Greet.’  Starting at 6 p.m., fans of the NBA Hall of Famer will be able to participate in an interactive question and answer session, take pictures with the star, and get autographed basketballs and photos.  A tour of the renowned Steiner Sports warehouse is also part of the package. 

Johnson, who was voted one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, is a 5-time NBA champion, 3-time NBA Finals MVP, 3-time regular season MVP, 12-time All-Star, NCAA champion, and a 1992 Olympic gold medalist. 

The bad news: I won't be able to go to New York. Argh.


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Vote for the Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown Finalists

In my last post, I mentioned about the Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown-- the search for the best amateur dunker in the United States. The city-level competitions were concluded and ten semifinalists were selected. Now it’s up to fans to select their favorite four finalists to compete on a national stage in February at the NBA All-Star 2011 events in Los Angeles.




Fans can visit NBA.com/dunk to watch each of the 10 semi-finalists’ dunks and vote for who they think should compete for the Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown crown at NBA All-Star in February. The winner will receive a $10,000 grand prize and attend the Sprite Slam Dunk contest at STAPLES Center during NBA All-Star Saturday Night presented by State Farm on Feb. 19, 2011.

One of the nice touches in the contest is the nicknames of the dunkers. Names like "The Dunk Inventor," "Air Bender," and "Jus Fly" are my faves so far. It reminded me that the NBA has a dearth of nicknames for its stars. (Good example: Kevin Durant)



Check out NBA.com/dunk to catch the exciting dunks and vote for the finalists.





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Can You Slam? Show Your Stuff at the Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown

For the second year, Sprite and the NBA are challenging fans to upload videos of them dunking as part of the Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown, the search for the best amateur dunker.

Through Monday, August 16, 2010 videos can be uploaded to www.NBA.com/dunk and the competition will culminate with four finalists at NBA All-Star 2011 in Los Angeles.

If you're 18 and older, you can upload a video showcasing your best dunk and check out other dunkers’ submissions. LeBron James (*groan*) will lead a panel of judges to pick the top two qualifiers from the online entries. The two online finalists will receive a $1,000 prize and a Flip MinoHD™.

Please visit NBA.com/dunk, for full details and information about the Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown. 


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Lakers 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament

I'm coming out of my little blogging hiatus to give everyone a Los Angeles Lakers public service announcement. :)

The 2009 World Champion Los Angeles Lakers will play host to the first-ever Lakers 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament presented by Nike and Fan Fest, Friday, Aug. 14- Sunday, Aug. 16 at L.A. Live in downtown Los Angeles.

There are four main divisions of play: Standard, Nike Elite, Special Olympics and Wheelchair. The Standard division includes three categories of participants: adult, high school (oldest player's next grade will be 9-12) and youth (oldest player's next grade will be 3-8). The Nike Elite Division also consists of three categories of players: Women, Men's 6 Foot and Under, and Men's Over 6 Foot. Players will then choose between Recreational and Competitive levels of competition at which time brackets will be formed based upon these criteria and those delineated above. Special Olympics and Wheelchair divisions are open to athletes of all ages and abilities, and are free of charge.

Participants can register their teams online at www.Lakers3on3.com or mail in the registration forms to the designated address on the Web site. Registration closes on Friday, July 31.


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Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown

Talk about Slam Dunk Competition: Web 2.0 style!

The NBA and Sprite have up with a very good innovation to the annual Slam Dunk Competition at the All-Star Weekend: let the fans join in on the slam-dunking fun! They have launched the Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown where dunkers from can join via a live dunking contest or submit entries online! Fans from all over will vote for the dunkers who will go to Dallas in the 2010 All-Star Weekend.

The Los Angeles leg of the Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown will held this May 16, 2009 at the Universal Studios Hollywood CityWalk (3-10pm). Each dunker participant will receive an adidas jersey, shorts and shoes.  The top dunker in Los Angeles will receive $1,000, a Flip Video Camera and be eligible to win the Grand Prize. Second place dunker will receive $500. The 40 dunk contestants who participate in the Showdown events in each market will receive authentic jerseys, shorts and adidas basketball shoes.

To make sure that the quality of dunkers will be top-notch, NBA MVP LeBron James will be selecting two dunkers from the top fan-rated videos.

I'll keep everyone posted on the progress of the Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown. :)


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