The last time Chicago hosted an NBA All-Star Game, in 1988, a young Michael Jordan wowed the crowd by dunking from the free throw line in the slam-dunk competition.
The Windy City is finally getting another shot at the marquee event. The NBA announced on Friday Chicago's United Center will host the 2020 NBA All-Star Game. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel and several Bulls and city officials were on hand to announce the news.
Silver noted he was a law student in Chicago when the city last hosted the event.
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"Of course, it had a slam dunk championship with Dominique WIlkins and Michael Jordan, that people are still talking about today, and a fantastic All-Star Game as well," Silver said. "It's my pleasure to be part of the NBA at the time when the All-Star Game and surrounding festivities are coming back to town... I have fond memories of it. I think I was sitting pretty high up in the arena at that time … I'm looking forward to better seats."
The big difference between then and now, Silver said, is the game has become part of a series of week-long events. "This is obviously a great day for our city and the Chicago Bulls," Bulls president and COO Michael Reinsdorf said.
This season's All-Star Game will be held in Los Angeles, and it will go to Charlotte in 2019.
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