Orlando Magic superstar center Dwight Howard has lived up to every expectation since being drafted first overall in the 2004 NBA Draft. Howard’s resume boasts of five consecutive All-Star selections, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, winning gold for Team USA at the 2008 Olympics and leading the Magic to the Eastern Conference Championship in 2009.

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry is having a stellar sophomore NBA season. After averaging 17.5 PPG in his rookie campaign, Curry has upped his average to 18.4 PPG this season. Curry was on hand in Los Angeles last weekend for NBA All-Star Weekend. The day after playing in the Rookie-Sophomore Game and prior to winning the Taco Bell Skills Competition on All-Star Saturday Night, Curry signed autographs at the NBA Jam Session, on behalf of Team USA. Curry has parlayed his college stardom at Davidson into becoming one of the most recognizable young faces in the NBA.

NBA players past and present represent a large percentage of the NBA All-Star Weekend crowd. Not to be outdone, the entertainment industry also contributes significantly to the weekend.  The hotels in Beverly Hills are full of famous folks from all walks of life during the festivities. A trip through the luxurious Montage Hotel meant the sight of John Legend, Russell Simmons and Mark Harmon. The three did not walk out together, but they did make their way to the front door within a few minutes of each other.

One of the highlights of Thursday at NBA All-Star Weekend in LA was the unveiling of a Jerry West statue outside of Staples Center. Among the many luminaries in attendance was the legendary Bill Walton.

Arguably the greatest college basketball player of all-time, Walton endured an injury plagued pro career, highlighted by two NBA Titles ('77 Blazers, '86 Celtics).

One of the highlights of Thursday at NBA All-Star Weekend in LA was the unveiling of a Jerry West statue outside of Staples Center. Among the many luminaries in attendance was the legendary Bill Russell. The greatest winner in basketball history was just a couple days removed from being awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama at the White House.

Tony Parker and the San Antonio Spurs have had a fantastic season to date. Entering Wednesday's game vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder, the club has amassed an impressive 46-10 record. While many observers thought the team's best days were behind them, the four-time NBA Champions have played nothing short of brilliant basketball. Parker, a three-time champion and three-time All-Star, is having yet another great statistical season. The point guard is averaging 17.4 PPG and 6.7 APG in 2010-2011, both tallies are above his career average.

One of the highlights of Thursday at NBA All-Star Weekend in LA was the unveiling of a Jerry West statue outside of Staples Center. Among the many Lakers greats in attendance was Timberwolves coach Kurt Rambis. The six-time NBA Champion (four as a player, two as an assistant coach) was back in Los Angeles, the place where he built his winning resume. These days, Rambis is leading a rebuilding, struggling Wolves organization. His team's 13-43 record is a far cry from the glory days in Laker Land.  For a few minutes on Thursday, Rambis found himself back in the NBA penthouse.    

While most of the NBA players attending NBA All-Star Weekend had to travel to Southern California, Clippers guard Baron Davis gets to spend the weekend at home. The Los Angeles native arrived at the JW Marriott via car on Thursday, after flying back from the Clippers game in Minneapolis the night prior.

Saturday night, Davis provided the assist on Blake Griffin's slam dunk contest winning dunk over the hood of a Kia. Davis sat in the front seat and tossed the ball through the car's sunroof. Baron is right at home at All-Star Weekend in LA.  

Shortly after Kenyon Martin checked into the JW Marriott at LA Live, Sacramento Kings big man DeMarcus Cousins arrived. Cousins is just a few days removed from his much publicized locker room altercation with teammate Donte Green. The Kentucky rookie was later removed from the Kings' charter flight to Phoenix because of the incident. 

Thursday afternoon, many NBA players began arriving at the JW Marriott at LA Live in Los Angeles.  Among the early arrivals was Denver Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin. The former All-Star is struggling through a tough 2010-11 season. Martin has averaged 6.3 PPG and 5.3 RPG in only 25 games played, due to left knee issues. Despite these difficulties, Martin was in very good spirits, taking the time to sign autographs and pose for photos with NBA fans.     

Wednesday night, the Los Angeles Lakers suffered their most humiliating defeat of the season, losing to the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers 104-99. This setback took place a little more than a month after the Lakers destroyed the Cavs at Staples Center 112-57. Truly a best of times/worst of times scenario for both teams.  Prior to the January 11 game in LA, Lakers center Andrew Bynum stopped his Porsche, outside of the Toyota Sports Center in El Segundo, California, to say hello and sign autographs for some very diehard fans.

As Kevin Garnett and three of his Celtics teammates (Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo & Ray Allen) make their way to Los Angeles for NBA All-Star Weekend, it can safely be assumed that the demeanor of Garnett and company will be far less serious than during their last trip to LA in late January. Prior to Boston's 109-96 victory over the Lakers on January 30, fans gathered outside of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel to watch the C's board their buses for Staples Center.