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Dragons to host 2005 NBA All-Star Balloting Program

December 29, 2004 - NBA G League (G League)
Columbus Riverdragons News Release


COLUMBUS, Ga., December 21 – Columbus Riverdragons fans will get their chance to vote for their favorite NBA players as starters for the 2005 NBA All-Star Game at January Dragons home games beginning this Saturday, New Year's Day. NBA All-Star Balloting takes place within the Columbus Civic Center lobby area from January 1, 2005 through January 23, 2005. Fans can pick up an All-Star ballot from the "Sprite" ballot box located near the Civic Center Box Office.

Fans who fill out their ballots can also enter to win the grand prize in the "All-Star Life Sweepstakes", with the winner receiving: lodging at the NBA Legends' hotel, tour of the All-Star locker rooms, All-Star uniform, VIP seats, photo opportunity with the 2005 NBA All-Stars, and attendance at media sessions and team practices.

The 54th NBA All-Star Game will take place on February 20, 2005 at the Pepsi Center in the Mile High city of Denver, CO. In addition to the All-Star Game, NBA All-Star 2005 will feature the exciting All-Star Saturday Night events including the slam-dunk and three-point shooting contests and the Rookie Challenge, the annual showcase featuring the league's top first and second year players.

"When we arrived in Columbus over three years ago, one of our main goals as a league and team was to bring a flavor of the NBA with us", said Riverdragons team president, J. Barry McMullin. "The 2005 NBA All-Star Balloting program will provide fans with the opportunity to choose the All-Star starting line-ups and possible win a trip to Colorado to see All-Star Weekend unfold; how cool is that?!"

A total of 120 players -- 60 from the Eastern and Western Conferences -- are listed on the NBA All-Star ballot, with 24 guards, 24 forwards and 12 centers from each conference comprising the ballot. Voters select two guards, two forwards and one center from each conference. The 120 players on the ballot were selected by a panel of media experts who regularly cover the NBA. This year's panel included; Ric Bucher (ESPN the Magazine), Mark Heisler (Los Angeles Times), Ernie Johnson (Turner Sports), Jack McCallum (Sports Illustrated) and Sam Smith (Chicago Tribune and President, Professional Basketball Writers' Association).

NBDL and NBA fans will have the opportunity to vote in more ways than ever as the balloting program for the 2005 NBA All-Star Game has expanded to include 19 languages on the NBA.com Network, downloadable ballots via Verizon Wireless and approximately 150 Loews Cineplex Entertainment movie theaters in the United States. Twentieth Century Fox this year joins Sprite, America Online, Reebok and approximately 2100 Foot Locker and Champs Sports stores in the United States and Canada as All-Star balloting partners.

For additional information, please visit columbusriverdragons.com, NBA.com or contact Riverdragons Media Relations Manager Tim Becwar at (706) 225-1104 and tbecwar@nba.com. For additional information on the NBDL please visit NBDL.com.

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