Auction Block: All Star Swag

What goods can be nabbed from All-Star weekend?

Getty Images

The Shaq Two-Headed Water Bottle is the cultural heir to the Foreman grill.

In an NBA All-Star Weekend that included giant court decals, monster rings given to the Olympic gold medal team, and the three-point contest's multicolored money ball, it's worth noting that the most garish item in evidence was Craig Sager's suit.

The NBA's entry among the major sport All-Star weekends has the most television appeal, with the dunk contest and the three-point shooting competition producing as many lasting memories as the game itself most years. When the players take the court—usually during a song montage that includes a lot of dancing—nobody's exactly killing themselves on defense, which is the way it should be.

This year was a prime example. The score was West 146 — East 119. Each team got a free highlight-reel dunk at the end of the fourth quarter. Kobe Bryant scored 27, and shared the MVP award with his old nemesis Shaq and the two chest-bumped and made up.

The All-Star Game is as stylish as it gets, so if you want a share of the funky flavor of contests past and present, check this out:

2009 Warmup Jacket: A warmup jacket in Phoenix. What a concept.

Kevin Durant signed ball: Bill Simmons called him underrated. After a record 46 points in the rookie/sophomore game, and a H-O-R-S-E showing that got Scoop Jackson all excited, it may be time to rate him properly.

1997 Cleveland ASG Hat: Kobe was dunk champion. Michael Jordan scored the first triple-double in All-Star game history, with 14 points, 11 rebounds, and 11 assists. Glen Rice won the MVP for scoring 26 points in 25 minutes. Oh yes, there was booing.

Game-Used Ball from 2000: There were co-MVPs at the Oakland event, with Tim Duncan and Shaq sharing the trophy. Actually, Big Aristotle copped it, stating that his teammate should be happy with his championship ring. Vince Carter scored 198 points to win the dunk contest.

1988 ticket stub: Michael Jordan wowed a hometown crowd, winning the dunk competition and the MVP award.

1996 San Antonio Pin: Shaq went for 25 and 10, but His Airness took MVP from his teammate, scoring 20 in about as many minutes.

Ray Allen 2006 Jersey: Seller claims this was an official-issue uniform for the game that was never worn. It was Jesus Shuttlesworth's sixth ASG appearance.

Allen Iverson 2001 Bobblehead: Seller says: "This is a really nice and heavy ceramic bobble—not one of those cheap plastic ones." Depicts AI in his warm-ups from the '01 game in D.C., where he scored 15 points in the game's final nine minutes to mount a furious 111-110 comeback win for the East and secure Most Valuable Player status.

1974 Seattle Pinback Button: Detroit's Bob Lanier scored 24 with 10 boards and 2 blocks to stand out in this one. Side note: look at the roster for this game; it's breathtaking.

2007 Poker Set: This limited-edition portable poker set was given to league partners as keepsakes. Probably came in real handy if one ran into Sir Charles or His Airness in the hotel lobby. Vegas, baby.

Hakeem Olajuwan's 1995 Jersey: The Dream scored 13 and grabbed 11 boards, but Mitch Richmond (of Run TMC) went 3 of 3 from behind the arc to take the trophy.

Seen any great items up for auction? Let us know at collectespn@gmail.com

Print Article . Email Article. Subscribe to The Magazine