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The Golden State Warriors have broken ground on their new home. The Chase Center in San Francisco is on pace to be finished before the start of the 2019-20 season, at which point the Dubs will say goodbye to Roaracle, and head to their new home on the water.
Not surprisingly, once they’re settled into their new digs, Golden State would like to host the most prestigious non-Finals event in the NBA: the All-Star Game.
ESPN Sources: Filed with @MarcJSpearsESPN, Golden State Warriors submit bid to host All-Star Game in brand new arena https://t.co/c4FZhU7Cni
— Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) October 6, 2017
Marc Spears reports that the earliest possible season for the Warriors to host the February festivities is 2021. The bidding process is already well underway for 2020, and it appears that it’s too late for Golden State to get in on that action.
However, six other teams are bidding for 2021: the Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Orlando Magic. One of those teams should receive the 2020 game, meaning the Warriors will likely have five competitors for 2021.
With what figures to be an innovative new arena in a spectacular location, and a team that will likely still be in title contention, you’d think that the Warriors have the inside track.
The Warriors last hosted the All-Star Game in 2000, though they didn’t have any players on the Western Conference roster. Still, it was a magnificent All-Star weekend for one reason: the Dunk Contest. The winner, Vince Carter, had what is widely regarded as the greatest performance in NBA Dunk Contest history.
If you want to get hyped for the All-Star game potentially coming back to the Bay Area, or just for the season starting in 11 days, it’s worth watching the highlights from that legendary contest: