Los Angeles — All-Star weekend is finally here. Event banners rattle in the wind, Los Angeles has been re-skinned to embrace the NBA’s holiday, and the energy is percolating around Figueroa Ave.
Friday marks the first official day of All-Star activity in Downtown Los Angeles, but the lay of the land was clear Thursday. Everything around STAPLES Center is tailored to celebrate the greatest league in all of professional sports. Russell Westbrook advertisements are plastered on every corner, crispy All-Star merchandise is in the front of every window, and the basketball world has officially descended upon the City of Angels.