Idea: Boston Celtics hosting All star game

[Busta]

What are everyones thoughts on the city of Boston hosting an All Star weekend? I am originally from Toronto and spent the week there and the energy around the city was amazing. I think it would be a great way to showcase Boston to the league and world and just host a ton of great events in general.

The last article I read about the possibility was this: http://www.csnne.com/blog/standing-room-only/time-bring-nba-all-star-game-back-boston

So it seems like Wyc is open to the possibility. Charlotte is hosting 2017, but the NBA is listening to bids up to 2020 from what I have read.

What year would be the best for Boston to bid? Personally I think 2019 or 2020 is the ideal year for the following reasons:

- It gives the team enough time to coordinate with the city and convention authority to block off dates for events and hotel rooms.

- Phase 1 of the "Hub on Causeway" project will be complete at the Garden. http://www.tdgarden.com/delaware-north-and-boston-properties-celebrate-groundbreaking-of-the-hub-on-causeway/

- An additional 4000 hotel rooms will be complete and online by end of 2018.

- Nightlife is a huge part of the festivities and the following large nightclubs will be up and running to host celebrity events:

http://boston.eater.com/2015/11/3/9663806/scorpion-bar-opening-seaport
http://boston.eater.com/2016/1/29/10868312/hub-on-causeway-boston-garden-development-complex

- Wynn Casino will be open by then as well. Using the ball room space for events and casino in general  will add to the nightlife portfolio for Boston.

- The changes recommended by the late night task force should hopefully be in effect. http://www.cityofboston.gov/news/default.aspx?id=20499

- Boston already has a built in celebrity ambassador similar to Drake in Mark Wahlberg. So he will be a natural fit for celebrity coach and also hosting some A list events.

- Finally the Celtics should be pretty [dang] good by then right? What better way to celebrate than with a few all stars of our own.

[Surferdad]

Would be nice if the Celtics had a few all-stars. IMO, wait until  then.

[Donoghus]

Its insane to think that its been over 50 years since the Celtics have hosted an NBA All Star game.  One of the cornerstone & most storied franchises in league history & zilch in 50+ years.  Pretty astounding.

[jambr380]

Its insane to think that its been over 50 years since the Celtics have hosted an NBA All Star game.  One of the cornerstone & most storied franchises in league history & zilch in 50+ years.  Pretty astounding.

That is pretty crazy.

Unfortunately, the original Garden never had the glitz and glam to beat out newer stadiums being built and the new Garden was universally considered a disappointment as soon as it was built. I know there are no new plans for yet another stadium, but Orlando began construction on the Amway Center only about 20 years after Amway Arena was first built and FedEx Field in Washington is also about to be a thing of the past.

Unfortunately, Boston's most 'amazing' sports complex is Gillette Stadium and we are a cold weather city without a dome, so...

[Busta]

Its insane to think that its been over 50 years since the Celtics have hosted an NBA All Star game.  One of the cornerstone & most storied franchises in league history & zilch in 50+ years.  Pretty astounding.

That is pretty crazy.

Unfortunately, the original Garden never had the glitz and glam to beat out newer stadiums being built and the new Garden was universally considered a disappointment as soon as it was built. I know there are no new plans for yet another stadium, but Orlando began construction on the Amway Center only about 20 years after Amway Arena was first built and FedEx Field in Washington is also about to be a thing of the past.

Unfortunately, Boston's most 'amazing' sports complex is Gillette Stadium and we are a cold weather city without a dome, so...

I agree that the newer arenas do have that glitz and glam that the Garden will not be able to match up with. With that said they have done quite a bit of upgrades to the Garden recently (http://www.tdgarden.com/events/phase-1-of--70m-td-garden-renovation-project-complete/) the Hub on Causeway will add to the experience quite a bit (I love everything about that project)

So I think when looking at the whole package, Boston and the Celtics have alot to offer.

[mgent]

Its insane to think that its been over 50 years since the Celtics have hosted an NBA All Star game.  One of the cornerstone & most storied franchises in league history & zilch in 50+ years.  Pretty astounding.

Yup, and to think that's just the 3rd parquet floor, including pieces of the original if I'm not mistaken.

Makes me shudder thinking about all the legendary things that have happened on that floor, and all the talent that has touched it.

I understand that cold places won't make as much money as warm places in February, but since they came up to Toronto, they should probably throw Boston a bone here at some point.

[Busta]

Its insane to think that its been over 50 years since the Celtics have hosted an NBA All Star game.  One of the cornerstone & most storied franchises in league history & zilch in 50+ years.  Pretty astounding.

Yup, and to think that's just the 3rd parquet floor, including pieces of the original if I'm not mistaken.

Makes me shudder thinking about all the legendary things that have happened on that floor, and all the talent that has touched it.

I understand that cold places won't make as much money as warm places in February, but since they came up to Toronto, they should probably throw Boston a bone here at some point.

Agreed, it shows that climate is not a huge issue when it comes to hosting this event. It was one of the coldest weekends ever in Toronto, but it did not dampen the energy at all. As long as you have the facilities to host the big parties and events, these guys are getting shuttled around from indoor place to place all weekend anyways.

[mgent]

Its insane to think that its been over 50 years since the Celtics have hosted an NBA All Star game.  One of the cornerstone & most storied franchises in league history & zilch in 50+ years.  Pretty astounding.

Yup, and to think that's just the 3rd parquet floor, including pieces of the original if I'm not mistaken.

Makes me shudder thinking about all the legendary things that have happened on that floor, and all the talent that has touched it.

I understand that cold places won't make as much money as warm places in February, but since they came up to Toronto, they should probably throw Boston a bone here at some point.

Agreed, it shows that climate is not a huge issue when it comes to hosting this event. It was one of the coldest weekends ever in Toronto, but it did not dampen the energy at all. As long as you have the facilities to host the big parties and events, these guys are getting shuttled around from indoor place to place all weekend anyways.

Admittedly, I've never been chauffeured around in a luxury vehicle all night, but bar hopping on foot is just about as great as it gets (there's a reason Mardi Gras is the biggest party).

Regardless, I totally get what you're saying.

The streets/bars of Boston, especially, have great energy on game nights (could only imagine an All Star event).

[Fafnir]

All star games and superbowls are handed out to reward new arenas as much as anything now a days.

So it'd take a year with no new arena coming online and some serious lobbying from Wyc over it as its not "desirable" to business partners to visit Boston in February.

[Fafnir]

I just thought of something it it possible due to the Arena deal with the Bruins that Wyc wouldn't even make money on the All-star weekend being in Boston?

[BudweiserCeltic]

All star games and superbowls are handed out to reward new arenas as much as anything now a days.

So it'd take a year with no new arena coming online and some serious lobbying from Wyc over it as its not "desirable" to business partners to visit Boston in February.

Boston did build the new arena in the 90s, didn't get squat. Have renovated multiple times since then as well.

Staples Center was built not long after, and they got their All-Star game...TWICE!

[Rosco917]

There is no better place to have an all star game than on the floor, (or part of it) of the most historic basketball franchise in NBA history. Put together footage of the teams and players of all the championships hanging from the ranters, and show the crap out of it. Bring in every ex-Celtic of the championship teams for a meet and greet.

Introduce, or reintroduce these young star players, and fans to the NBA's most historic franchise. Pray for good weather, and I'm sure the night life and eating establishments in Boston will more than hold there own.
Who know, maybe we'll get noticed by a free agent or two.
   

[Donoghus]

NBA is turning 75 in 2021.  Wouldn't be a bad time to have it back in Boston. 

[Denis998]

I don't think the bar is set really high considering where the game is going to be held next year.

[Al91]

Thought about this earlier this weekend. Would love to see Boston host one between 2018-2020, preferably 2018 given this team's potential. Shame to see cities with lackluster teams host in recent years, yet at the same time the focus is less on the city and more of who's doing what. Arguably you can say even the worst teams hosting it have had a standout player representing the city (AD whenever NOLA hosted, for example).

Regardless, Boston should be stable and improving if anything over the next two years. Clearly we can handle it having hosted the Finals six years ago and deep playoff runs in the years following.