"DANCING WITH THE ALL-STARS!!"

It was a busy Friday at the WNBA All- Star weekend. After Thursday's loss to Seattle, L.A. Sparks' stars, Candace Parker, Kristi Toliver and Nneka Ogwumike took a red-eye flight that hopped from LAX to Cincinnati to Hartford and got them to Connecticut early Friday morning. It was a tiring trip, but the Sparks' stellar trio was all smiles when I caught up with them as the West squad went through it's practice session at the Mohegan Sun Arena.

Minnesota's Cheryl Reeve will coach the West squad in Saturday's All-Star game. During shooting drills, Friday, she jokingly told the crowd "I hope Toliver gets all her "Makes" out this weekend, so she has nothing left for the rest of the season."  I think she said it jokingly...

Minnesota's Rebekkah Brunson was chosen to replace Britney Griner in the West's starting lineup. I was hoping Tina Thompson would get the nod in her final WNBA All-Star appearance. Instead, the Lynx will have four starters in the game (Brunson, Augustus, Moore & Whalen) alongside of Candace Parker.

Griner is still bothered by a strained left knee which has kept her out of action for the Phoenix Mercury. The big rookie told me she hopes to be back in action soon and she showed off some moves at the WNBA's All-Star reception on Friday night.

Speaking of "moves", WNBA President, Laurel Richie, busted some at the Friday night event. If you can find the video, it is "Must See T.V." Maybe NBA Commissioner, David Stern, will  break out his dancing shoes before he dribbles off into retirement...

I had a great time at the reception chatting with Dee Kantner, the WNBA's Supervisor of Officials, and the crew that will referee Saturday's All-Star game (Tony Dawkins, Amy Bonner, & Lamont "cam man" Simpson who will wear the "ref cam" for ESPN's coverage of the game.

I will have more "blog" for you from the WNBA All-Star weekend, so stay tuned!!!

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