The Intern: Operation All-Star

Posted by Matt Sanchez on November 11, 2009

I love NBA All-Star Weekend!  It’s really no exaggeration when I say it’s my 2nd favorite sporting event of the year.  The Dunk Contest, 3 Point Shootout, even the Skills Challenge is a good time. The game itself is unbelievable!  Seeing the best athletes in the world on the court at the same time, playing together and making highlights is enough to make a 6′5″ 230 lb. man giggle uncontrollably.  (did I just say that?)

But the Jazz didn’t even have a single participant in ANY of the events last year and that was a shame.  This year must be different!

Balloting for the 2010 All-Star game began on Tuesday and the Jazz have four players up for voting.

The Western and Eastern Conferences narrowed the field down to: 24 guards, 24 forwards and 12 centers each.  I’m sure that for some (Jason Thompson, Ramon Sessions and Anthony Randolph, among others) making the ballot is an honor in of itself.

*Deron Williams is again on the ballot and hopes to make his first All-Star game in his hometown of Dallas.

*Paul Millsap has made the ballot for the first time in his young career.

*2-time All-Star Carlos Boozer hopes to make it back to the big game after missing last year’s event in Phoenix.

*Mehmet Okur is also up for the voting and has a real chance of making his 2nd appearance. (Besides Amare Stoudemire, no other center on the West ballot has made an All-Star game)

Ok, so, the Jazz need our help in getting our players to this year’s All-Star game in Dallas.

As an intern for the Jazz I have been given the task (along with my stellar co-interns) of being in charge of All-Star voting and marketing in the Energy Solutions Arena.  We have banners, ballot boxes, posters, t shirts and much more to get the word out.  We are planning promotions, making videos and hope to get more votes than any other NBA team.

How do you vote?

1.) You can log on to nba.com and fill out a ballot.

2.) This year you will have the option to text in your vote!  Text a player’s name to 69622.

both of these only allow you to vote once per day.

3.) When you attend a Jazz game you will have the opportunity to fill out as many ballots as your heart desires!  And this year, we will be giving out sweet incentives for voting often.  How does an autographed basketball by the entire team sound?  Ever wanted to compete in a contest on the court during halftime or a timeout of a Jazz game?  You will get the chance!

I want to ask you, the fans, what types of incentives would you like for voting?  What types of promotions/contests/videos would you like to see in the arena during games?

Your input will really go a long way and may decide what we do!

Rate this post

(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

 Loading ...

9 Comments

Adam on November 11, 2009 said:

As far as incentives go, I wouldn’t mind a chance to win some awesome lower bowl tickets.

J R Stewart on November 11, 2009 said:

Since none of the Jazz players will be voted in, the ballot seems irrelevant. It will be up to the players to have a great year and force a coaches selection.

Jazzaholic

montgump on November 11, 2009 said:

i have to choose between ronnie b and ronnie p on the write in ballot?!?!!?!?! this is bull crap!

Jared on November 12, 2009 said:

I honestly think that it is a joke that the balloting begins this early. Paul Milsap an all-star? He isn’t even a starter. Have you looked at his numbers this year? Deron is an easy vote, and I can see maybe voting for Okur. Even a loyal Jazz fan knows the other two shouldn’t make it.

Hank on November 12, 2009 said:

Any fan that refuses to vote because they believe their guys won’t make it, has no business being a fan!

Of course it’s tough for Jazz guys to be voted in as starters but that doesn’t mean they can’t. It’s this attitude that keeps this trend going year after year!

D-Will could easily get put in over Chris Paul if we as fans do our part and get him there!

Linda on November 12, 2009 said:

Sorry to disagree but I hate All Star Week. The voting is absurd. I think it is a time where everyone is trying to outshine everyone else and just sets up a perfect chance for injuries. Sorry to disagree but I have always felt that way.

Shannon in Sacramento on November 12, 2009 said:

MMMM the all star game voting is a bit like a popularity contest, where the most popular stars (not necessarily the best that year) get voted in every time. I think our best chance is the coaches write in. Though I will be voting heavily for D Will. I really want him over CP3. Oh and I would love to win some good tickets, preferably courtside haha

JK on November 15, 2009 said:

I think some sweet incentives would be tickets! Autographed stuff is cool too! What kind of promos are you going to do?

Dave on November 17, 2009 said:

Definitely tickets!!! Lower Bowl! Are you telling me that I play in a contest just for voting? I’m so down!!

Leave Your Comment

How do I get an avatar for my comments?
It is easy and completely free. Just go to Gravatar.com and sign-up with your email address. Gravatar is globally recognized, so your avatar will show on every Gravatar-enabled website or blog.