Women's National Basketball Association All-Star Game
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The Women's National Basketball Association All-Star Game, commonly referred to as the WNBA All-Star Game is an annual exhibition basketball game played in the United States between the best players of the Eastern and Western Conference of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA).
[edit] Structure
Each conference is represented by a team of 12 players who are currently having the best seasons performance-wise around the league. The starters are determined by fans voting through both paper and internet ballots. The rest of the players are selected by league personnel including head coaches as well as media personalities. At the end of the game, an all-star game Most Valuable Player (MVP) is named, as decided by a panel of media members.
The 2005 WNBA All-Star Game was played on July 9 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. The game was the highest scoring All-Star Game of all time, with the two teams combining to score a total of 221 points. Late in the game, when victory by the West was assured of, the game became a virtual slam dunk contest. After a failed attempt by Deanna Nolan, Lisa Leslie made the first slam dunk in WNBA All-Star Game history. Sheryl Swoopes was named Most Valuable Player of the game for the first time in her career, one season after contemplating retirement. She shared the award with her son Jordan.
The 2006 WNBA All-Star Game was played on July 12th at the New York Liberty's home court, Madison Square Garden. The Eastern Conference team won the game for the first time, 98-82.
[edit] History
In 2004, the game was not played in its usual format due to the WNBA players competing in the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. That year, the U.S. Senior National Women's Basketball team defeated a team of WNBA All-Stars 74-58 at Radio City Music Hall.
| Game Date | Results | Hosting Team | Arena | MVP | Western Conference Coach | Eastern Conference Coach |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 14, 1999 | West 79, East 61 | New York Liberty | Madison Square Garden | Lisa Leslie | Van Chancellor | Linda Hill-MacDonald |
| July 17, 2000 | West 73, East 61 | Phoenix Mercury | America West Arena | Tina Thompson | Van Chancellor | Richie Adubato |
| July 16, 2001 | West 80, East 72 | Orlando Miracle | TD Waterhouse Centre | Lisa Leslie | Van Chancellor] | Richie Adubato |
| July 15, 2002 | West 81, East 76 | Washington Mystics | MCI Center | Lisa Leslie | Michael Cooper | Anne Donovan |
| July 12, 2003 | West 84, East 75 | New York Liberty | Madison Square Garden | Nikki Teasley | Michael Cooper | Richie Adubato |
| [[2004] -- None scheduled due to 2004 Olympic Games On August 5, 2004 Team USA V. WNBA STARS (Olympic Send-off Event) |
USA 74, WNBA 58 | New York Liberty | Radio City Music Hall | Yolanda Griffith | Van Chancellor (USA) | Bill Laimbeer (WNBA) |
| July 9, 2005 | West 122, East 99 | Connecticut Sun | Mohegan Sun Arena | Sheryl Swoopes | Anne Donovan | Mike Thibault |
| July 12, 2006 | East 98, West 82 | New York Liberty | Madison Square Garden | Katie Douglas | John Whisenant | Mike Thibault |
| July 15, 2007 | East 103, West 99 | Washington Mystics | Verizon Center | Cheryl Ford | Jenny Boucek | Bill Laimbeer |
| 2008 None scheduled due to 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. |
