MSG to host NBA All Star game in 2012?

Madison Square Garden was built in 1968 and is the oldest building in the National Basketball Association. The last and only time it hosted an All-Star game was in 1998 when Michael Jordan played his last season with the Chicago Bulls. The old Garden hosted three All-Star Games between 1954 and 1968. On April 3rd, MSG unveiled their plans to renovate the world's most famous arena. The project is going to cost around $500 million dollars which will be funded fully by the Garden. The opening date will be targeted for the 2011-2012 season. Some of the upgrades include: re-designed entrance, more comfortable seating with better views, sound and LED video systems in HDTV, 68 new mid-level suites, 20 new floor-level suites, and improved locker rooms for athletes. The renovations are going to begin in 2009 and the Knicks plan to fill out an application to host the All-Star game when the upgraded Garden is ready. Orlando could be the main competition for New York because they are building a new arena. The last Knick to make the All-Star team was Allan Houston in 2001. If the Knicks land a big name free agent in 2010 then their drought of not having an All-Star should end. Also, if Lebron James comes to New York, he could electrify the new renovated Garden during that special weekend. The NBA has awarded new arenas with an All-Star Game: 2002 (Staples Center in Los Angeles), 2005 (Pepsi Center in Denver) and 2006 (Toyota Center in Houston). However, over the past three seasons the league has placed the game in warm cities such as Houston, Las Vegas and New Orleans. The 2009 game will be played in Phoenix, and Dallas is considered the favorite in 2010. However, the NBA league office is in New York and All-Star weekend in 1998 was a great success. Commissioner David Stern was also born in New York and wants to see the Knicks franchise make a successful turn around.