On March 2nd, 1951, a crowd of 10,094 spectators filed into the old Boston Garden to witness the first event of its kind - an exhibition game featuring pro basketball's best players.
The idea, borrowed from Major League Baseball, was conceived by NBA President Maurice Podoloff, NBA publicity director Haskell Cohen, and Boston Celtics owner Walter A. Brown to attract attention to their league in the wake of a point-shaving scandal that had rocked college basketball. Though the inaugural game featured such legends as George Mikan, Bob Cousy, and Dolph Schayes, it was "Easy" Ed Macauley of the hometown Celtics who earned MVP honors with 20 points as the East All-Stars coasted to a 111-94 victory over the West.