IN STORES NOW As the next generation of NBA superstars continue to define the state-of- the-art in world class athleticism, TNT pushes the commentary, coverage, and broadband envelope to make the NBA on TNT a completely integrated and immersive multi-media experience. While it is something they have done all season, TNT will place a special focus on the 58th annual NBA All-Star event. In addition to the high-tech firepower TNT is bringing to the US Airways Center, TNT’s colorful analysts and personalities will ensure the broadcast remains unsurpassed in any sport, across all media channels. When asked what makes the NBA All-Star Game so exciting, Kenny Smith, TNT’s Inside the NBA announcer said, “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event. No matter how many times you’ve been, there are different players, so it’s a dif- ferent experience each year. When you have all the best players in the world in one venue, it creates a dynamic that no one has ever seen until you’re actually there. Also, the history of the game is there—the great players are always coming back. It’s like a walking trading card show.” MAKE THIS TNT is ready. The NBA is ready. Fans are definitely ready. Are you? SEASON MATTER PLAY FOR ONE OF EIGHT NBA PROS AT THEOTHERSEASON.COM The Other Season contest is open only to eligible players on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system and PLAYSTATION®3 computer entertainment system. See theotherseason.com website for details. © 2008 Take-Two Interactive Software and its subsidiaries. All rights reserved. 2K Sports, the 2K Sports logo, and Take-Two Interactive Software are all trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. The NBA and US AIRWAYS CENTER individual NBA member team identifi cations used on or in this PHOENIX, ARIZONA product are trademarks, copyrights designs and other forms of intellectual property of NBA Properties, Inc. and the respective NBA member teams and may not be used, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of NBA Properties, Inc. ©2008 NBA Properties, Inc. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Xbox, Xbox 360, Xbox LIVE, and the Xbox logos are trademarks of the NBA ALL-STAR GAME 2009 Microsoft group of companies and are used under license from FEBRUARY 15TH . 8PM ET Microsoft. “PlayStation”, “PLAYSTATION” and “PS” Family logo are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. NBA2K9_Single2_TNTProgram.indd 1 12/23/08 3:06:13 PM KD&E Inc. Pub: TNT Program 129 West 27th St. 11 floor New York, NY 10001 Insertion: Color: 4C 212.686.0006 Bleed: 4 x 6.25” Trim: 3.75 x 6” Ad Title: Season Matter Date: 12-23-08 Job #: 0808-112KS Live: .25” Page: Comments: NBA 2K9 (IN STORES NOW VERSION) Misc: From dunkers and drivers to dribblers and dishers, Phoenix will be hotter than ever this KOBE bryant At the ripe old age of 30 and already in February as the NBA’s brightest stars descend into the desert for the 58th annual NBA All-Star his 12th year in the league, Kobe Bryant has suddenly become Game. While Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade will ignite the fire, look for one of the NBA’s elder statesmen. At over 26 points per game, younger guns like Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, and Chris Bosh to bring some heat of their own. his ability to score the ball is as explosive as ever, while at the same time his all-around game has matured. LEBRON JAMES Even in the rarefied air of the NBA, he has become a man among boys. LeBron James is strong CHRIS PAUL Currently the best pure point enough to drive through defenses at will and with finesse. At 24, guard in the league, Chris Paul has a light-up-the- King James has fulfilled his promise to be hands-down, the best room personality and the stats to make him a fantasy LEBRON all-around player in the league. basketball team stud. Not only does the 6'0" JAMES KOBE regular-sized guy lead the league with more BRYANT DWIGHT HOWARD Easily one of the most than 11 assists per game, he also averages dominant centers in the game, Dwight Howard is over 20 points and an impressive 5+ rebounds. unstoppable in the paint. He’s still developing the finer points like blocking shots, but he has the skills and the KEVIN DURANT The slick-shooting build to be the prototypical big man for the 21st Century. guard on the Thunder has been joined in the backcourt by lightning-quick Russell CHRIS BOSH Always a dynamic talent, Westbrook to create a backcourt that can the 2008 Men’s Senior National Team experience make it rain on the competition for the in Beijing may have been a key point in the next decade or longer. maturation of Chris Bosh. The sixth year, 24-year-old pro is averaging career highs yaO MING Asia’s best-known and in points per game and has emerged as loved basketball player continues to live large a team leader in Toronto. in Houston, where he is averaging nearly 20 points and 10 rebounds Only per game, and lead- CHRIS DWYANE WADE BOSH picking up speed after his ing the Rockets in CHRIS dominating 2008 Men’s Senior both categories. PAUL National Team performance, Dwyane Wade has emerged OTHERS as one of the top all- TO WATCH: around players in the Caron Butler game of basketball. Tim Duncan KEVIN Danny Granger DURANT DWYANE Steve Nash WADE Dirk Nowitzki NBA ALL-STAR GAME 2009 FEBRUARY 15TH . 8PM ET B:4” T:3.75” S:2.75” For years, there have been pessimists that have said the Slam Dunk contest has worn itself out as a compelling event, and for years, the extraordinary athletes in the NBA have put on their creative caps and pulled surprises out of their sneakers that left the crowds and judges gawking in awe. Here are some of the slickest aerial displays in recent memory: JOSH SMITH • Denver 2005 A Rocky Mountain high saw him record perfect 50s on not just one, or two, but all three of his final dunks. A 19-year-old rookie at the time, Smith paid tribute to two-time slam dunk DWIGHT HOWARD champion Dominique Wilkins, who happened to be a sideline judge at the event, by sporting a vintage Atlanta Hawks #21 jersey and throwing down Wilkins’ signature windmill slam. B:6.25” S:5” T:6” GerAlD Green • lAS veGAS 2007 Gerald Green made a name for himself with a trio of dunks that brought the house down. His most memorable was a tribute to 1991 dunk champion Dee Brown, where Green pumped up his sneakers, took off THE PLACE TO FIND EXACTLY his #5 jersey to reveal a Boston Celtics #7, and then soared over defending champion Nate Robinson while covering his THE CAR YOU’RE LOOKING FOR. eyes in homage to Brown’s legendary no-look stuff. (even if you’re 7'2") DWIGHT HOWArD • neW OrleAnS 2008 In one fell swoop from the sky, Dwight Howard proved that big men can fly. A 6'11", 265-pound Howard donned a superman cape and leapt a tall building in a single bound…well, not that last part, but he did bring AutoTrader.com. Official partner of the NBA. the funk back into the dunk and set the stage for more heroics in 2009. ©2009 AutoTrader.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved. “AutoTrader.com” is a registered trademark of TPI Holdings, Inc. used under exclusive license. NBA ALL-STAR GAME 2009 The NBA and individual NBA member team identifi cations are the intellectual property of NBA Properties, Inc., and the respective FEBRUARY 15TH . 8PM ET NBA member team. ©2009 NBA Properties, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 68907_AT_AT8-216.indd 1 12/23/08 12:43:11 PM AT8-216 Prepared by: 68907_AT_AT8-216.indd Southfi eld, MI • 248-354-9700 Saved at: 12-23-2008 12:25 PM From: PrePress_G5_M4WS16 by gparsons / sbloch Printed At 100% Job info Approvals Fonts Client AutoTrader.com Print Producer Maas, Lori Fonts: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black Job # 81-02050-000 Account Mgr Bejin, Jessica Helvetica (Medium), Adobe Garamond (Regular), Prefi x 68907 Art Director Wright, Andrew News Gothic BT (Bold Extra Condensed) Trim 3.75” x 6” Copywriter Vogel, Tiffany Bleed 4” x 6.25” Traffi c Heiter, Craig Link Name: Live 2.75” x 5” Art Producer Lamoreaux, James 68907_AT_AT8-216_4C.tif (CMYK; 300 ppi; Line Screen 300 dpi Scale None 100%), AT_NBA_4C.eps, 68907_AT_com_Wht_4C. Product Code n/a Proof # 3 eps Unit magazine Caption We Lead the League.... Used Swatches: We sat down with TNT’s astute NBA analyst Doug Collins and peppered him with word-associations. He answered our rapid- fire questions with the first thing that popped into his mind: OF CURRENT Players, WHO IS THE: Best offensive: Kobe Bryant Best defensive: Kevin Garnett Best rebounder: Dwight Howard Best passers: Steve Nash and Chris Paul RIP Best rookies: Derrick Rose, O.J. Mayo, Rudy Fernandez HAMILTON Most underrated: Caron Butler, Danny Granger, Shane Battier, Steve Blake Best finishers: Paul Pierce, Hedo Turkoglu, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Brandon Roy, Chris Paul Smartest: Kevin Garnett, LeBron James, Tim Duncan, Steve Nash Toughest: Ron Artest, Kevin Garnett, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Manu Ginobili, James Posey Most fun to watch: Chris Paul, Steve Nash, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Manu Ginobili, Brandon Roy Coolest under pressure: Brandon Roy, Kobe Bryant, Chris Paul, Paul Pierce, Hedo Turkoglu Hardest working: Kevin Garnett, Rip Hamilton, David West, Dirk Nowitzki , Kobe Bryant Sleepers to watch: Danny Granger of the Indiana Pacers is getting lost with the team’s record, but he is unflappable, DIRK can score, and is very rangy.