User:Maionaize/NBA Nation

NBA Nation, a touring property of NBA Entertainment (a subsidiary of the National Basketball Association) is a nationwide, multicity tour that travels U.S. throughout the spring and summer. NBA Nation is a customized, 18-wheel, 53-foot show truck that transforms into a 20,000-square-foot basketball playground for interaction with NBA fans. NBA Nation and its partners offer a variety of interactive basketball entertainment, challenges, programs, games, and prizes.

NBA Nation hosts a variety of events and programs including a competitive skills challenge similar to the NBA All-Star Saturday Night Skills Challenge, slam dunk contests, agility courses, basketball clinics, meet-and-greets with NBA players and legends, video games, and more. Prizes are awarded to challenge winners, provided by NBA Nation and their partners. NBA-Specific programming includes NBA Fit Clinics, where attendees can participate in basketball and fitness clinics run by NBA Ambassador and Legend, Darryl Dawkins. NBA Fit is a program of NBA Cares, which is the League’s global community outreach initiative that addresses important social issues such as education, youth and family development, and health and wellness. NBA Fit encourages physical activity and healthy living through products, events and programs for children and families.

History

Originated in 2007, NBA Nation annually reaches over one million people across the nation and has succeeded in becoming the largest mobile venue representing the National Basketball Association.

NBA Nation, formerly known as NBA Rhythm ’n Rims, was originally created in 2001 as a traveling basketball and music event. On the road for six years, NBA Rhythm ’n Rims featured musical performances by popular recording artists, including Nappy Roots, Cee-Lo and MC Lyte. During its time on the road, NBA and WNBA players and NBA Legends made appearances.

Tour

NBA Nation 2010 was launched in Phoenix, AZ and continues with stops in Denver, Los Angeles, Cleveland, New York, Philadelphia, Minnesota, and Dallas. Each event on the tour features talent and special appearances by local NBA players and legends, mascots, dance teams, radio deejays, and performers. Throughout the course of the Summer 2010 tour, NBA Legend Daryl Dawkins appears at each event serving as the official "NBA Nation Ambassador," joined by official host and emcee Mike Garcia (Emcee Mike) and co-host Jaclyn (Emcee Jac) who are on hand to entertain, sign autographs, conduct interviews, and engage in meet-and-greets with fans. Partners for the NBA Nation 2010 tour include T-Mobile USA, KIA Motors, and Sprite.

Tour & Event Schedule 2010

Date	City	Event	Times
May 1-2, 2010	Phoenix, AZ	Cinco De Mayo Festival	Saturday, May 1 (2 p.m. – 10 p.m.) Sunday, May 2 (2 p.m. – 10 p.m.)
May 8-9, 2010	Denver, CO	23rd Annual Cinco De Mayo “Celebrate Culture” Festival	Saturday, May 8 (10 a.m. – 8 p.m.) Sunday, May 9 (10 a.m. – 8 p.m.)
May 22-23, 2010	Los Angeles, CA	Universal CityWalk, Hollywood	Saturday, May 22 (2 p.m. - 10 p.m.) Sunday, May 23 (2 p.m. - 10 p.m.)
May 28-29, 2010	Cleveland, OH	Marc’s Great American Rib Cook-Off and Music Festival	Friday, May 28 (11 a.m. – 9 p.m.) Saturday, May 29 (12 p.m. – 9 p.m.) Sunday, May 30 (12 p.m. – 9 p.m.) Monday, May 31 (12 p.m. – 8 p.m.)
June 19-20, 2010	New York, NY	South Street Seaport	Saturday, June 19 (11 a.m. – 8 p.m.) Sunday, June 20 (11 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
June 26-27, 2010	Philadelphia, PA	Taste of Philadelphia	Saturday, June 26 (11 a.m. – 7 p.m.) Sunday, June 27 (11 a.m. – 7 p.m.)
July 2-5, 2010	St. Paul, MN	Taste of Minnesota	Friday, July 2 (11 a.m. – 6 p.m.) Saturday, July 3 (11 a.m. – 6 p.m.) Sunday, July 4 (11 a.m. – 6 p.m.) Monday, July 5 (11 a.m. – 6 p.m.)
July 10-11, 2010	Dallas, TX	Taste of Dallas	Friday, July 9 (4 p.m. – 10 p.m.) Saturday, July 10 (11 a.m. – 9 p.m.) Sunday, July 11 (12 p.m. – 6 p.m.)

Tour Activities 2010

Each stop on the 2010 NBA Nation tour features a series of interactive activities:

Kia Motors Performance Challenge

The Kia Motors Performance Challenge tests participants’ basketball skills, including dribbling, passing, and shooting against the clock. The winner of the performance challenge recieves a 2011 Kia Sorento CUV provided by event sponsor Kia Motors. A champion will be crowned in Dallas on July 11, in a competition featuring the event winners from each city.

Kia Motors Performance Zone

Participants participate in a Kia vehicle-centric scavenger hunt, and take part in NBA action-style photos on a green screen.

T-Mobile Halftime Court

Competitions and clinics featuring the "T-Mobile Friends and Family" game, pitting participants with their family and friends against an opposing team to see who can sink their shots first.

T-Mobile Halftime Report

In the T-Mobile Halftime Report photo booth, attendees get to experience being a sportscaster for the day. Each receives a photo keepsake and, throughout the day, participants have the chance to win prizes, including a T-Mobile myTouch.

T-Mobile VIP Sky Deck

Existing T-Mobile customers are given access to this exclusive lounge, where they can watch the action, listen to deejays, and enjoy refreshments.

Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown

A panel of judges, including NBA Nation Ambassador Darryl Dawkins, vote on which of the participants has the best and most creative slam dunks. One winner from each city receives a $1,000 prize and continues to compete for the chance to be awarded the Sprite Slam Dunk Showdown Champion title at NBA All-Star 2011 in Los Angeles.

Measure Up

Attendees can measure themselves against life-size replicas of their favorite players on the Tall and Short, Arm Span, Walk of Fame, and Get-A-Grip displays.

NBA’s 50 Greatest Plays

Videos ofhistoric NBA plays on a 47-inch flat screen television.

Video Arcade

Featuring the latest NBA video games aboard the NBA Nation show truck.

Realated Links

http://www.nba.com/nbanation

http://www.twitter.com/nbanation

http://www.facebook.com/nbanation

http://www.nba.com/clippers/features/nba_nation_2010.html

http://www.mediapost.com/blogs/raw/?p=2294

http://my.nba.com/cms/81351/last_stop_and_tour_in_review