Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Live Sunday
NBA All-Star Game Gets Under Way Tonight
Aired February 09, 2003 - 17:52 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Amid the security worries and the recreational prerogatives of an NBA all-star game comes a show of concern for the families of U.S. troops headed overseas.
CNN's Josie Karp is at Phillips Arena for that and a whole lot more on the NBA's big night -- Josie.
JOSIE KARP, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Carol, the expectation is it's going to be a very emotional night for Michael Jordan.
But for three youngsters who will be in attendance here at Phillips Arena, the significance of being here for Michael Jordan's last all-star appearance might be a little lost on them. They're a little young to remember in person watching some of his more memorable moments.
But for these three, because of three special all-stars, they're having a weekend they will not soon forget.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KARP (voice-over): This picture, snapped in Atlanta at the NBA all-star game, has a very special destination. It's headed to Afghanistan and a proud father who can't be here in person.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was very excited. I was very excited to see Antoine Walker because I go to many games and this is a dream come true.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: From his point of view, he's happy that he's doing this for his dad. He loves his father so much. And his father coaches baseball, basketball, football and for this to happen, he's just thankful for his father that he did this for him.
KARP: Corey Antune's (ph) father, Juan, has been stationed in Afghanistan for eight months. The 12-year-old from Boston, Mass., shares a passion for the Celtics with his dad.
This year, they can't enjoy the all-star game together. But they're still both taking part in one unforgettable experience.
Because of his dad, Corey is enjoying an all expenses paid dream weekend at the all-star game, courtesy of the Celtics Antoine Walker.
ANTOINE WALKER, CELTICS PLAYER: It's kind of hard for me to really pinpoint what he's feeling but hopefully I can bring a little light to him and get an opportunity to meet some of these other stars around the league.
KARP: In addition to Walker, both Orlando's Tracy McGrady and Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal have a guest in Atlanta with one parent in the military.
JERMAINE O'NEAL, PACERS ALL-STAR FORWARD: I was actually on the phone with my agent. I was flipping through the channel and saw that, you know, saw like 60,000 troops were being sent off, you know, to be put in position to get ready for a war. And I saw, like, the families, you know, hugging each other and, you know, crying and stuff, and that's -- I mean that's just tugs your heart.
KARP: O'Neal came up with the idea to spring for the lavish trip when he couldn't get those pictures out of his mind. His peers followed his lead, and that's how 13-year-old Derek Sharp and 8-year- old Tessa Miller landed their courtside seats for the festivities.
MELLISSA MILLER, TESSA MILLER'S MOTHER: It couldn't have come at a better time. She's got somehow stuck in her head he's not going to come back. So we're trying to, you know, put it in her head that his chances of coming back are more than not.
KARP: Corey got sneakers from Walker, and Tessa's favorite moment was meeting McGrady. Mellissa Miller has her one highlight, too.
MILLER: Watching her smile has been the best.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KARP: And Tessa and Mellissa Miller got an extra special treat today. Charles Miller is actually stationed right now at Fort Stewart. It's right outside of Savannah. He was granted a couple hours leave so that he could come and be with his family. They live in Florida, and the expectation, Carol, is that Charles will be shipped out soon for at least a year.
Back to you.
LIN: That is great. What an awesome opportunity for those kids. Thanks, Josie.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired February 9, 2003 - 17:52 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL LIN, CNN ANCHOR: Amid the security worries and the recreational prerogatives of an NBA all-star game comes a show of concern for the families of U.S. troops headed overseas.
CNN's Josie Karp is at Phillips Arena for that and a whole lot more on the NBA's big night -- Josie.
JOSIE KARP, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Carol, the expectation is it's going to be a very emotional night for Michael Jordan.
But for three youngsters who will be in attendance here at Phillips Arena, the significance of being here for Michael Jordan's last all-star appearance might be a little lost on them. They're a little young to remember in person watching some of his more memorable moments.
But for these three, because of three special all-stars, they're having a weekend they will not soon forget.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KARP (voice-over): This picture, snapped in Atlanta at the NBA all-star game, has a very special destination. It's headed to Afghanistan and a proud father who can't be here in person.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I was very excited. I was very excited to see Antoine Walker because I go to many games and this is a dream come true.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: From his point of view, he's happy that he's doing this for his dad. He loves his father so much. And his father coaches baseball, basketball, football and for this to happen, he's just thankful for his father that he did this for him.
KARP: Corey Antune's (ph) father, Juan, has been stationed in Afghanistan for eight months. The 12-year-old from Boston, Mass., shares a passion for the Celtics with his dad.
This year, they can't enjoy the all-star game together. But they're still both taking part in one unforgettable experience.
Because of his dad, Corey is enjoying an all expenses paid dream weekend at the all-star game, courtesy of the Celtics Antoine Walker.
ANTOINE WALKER, CELTICS PLAYER: It's kind of hard for me to really pinpoint what he's feeling but hopefully I can bring a little light to him and get an opportunity to meet some of these other stars around the league.
KARP: In addition to Walker, both Orlando's Tracy McGrady and Indiana's Jermaine O'Neal have a guest in Atlanta with one parent in the military.
JERMAINE O'NEAL, PACERS ALL-STAR FORWARD: I was actually on the phone with my agent. I was flipping through the channel and saw that, you know, saw like 60,000 troops were being sent off, you know, to be put in position to get ready for a war. And I saw, like, the families, you know, hugging each other and, you know, crying and stuff, and that's -- I mean that's just tugs your heart.
KARP: O'Neal came up with the idea to spring for the lavish trip when he couldn't get those pictures out of his mind. His peers followed his lead, and that's how 13-year-old Derek Sharp and 8-year- old Tessa Miller landed their courtside seats for the festivities.
MELLISSA MILLER, TESSA MILLER'S MOTHER: It couldn't have come at a better time. She's got somehow stuck in her head he's not going to come back. So we're trying to, you know, put it in her head that his chances of coming back are more than not.
KARP: Corey got sneakers from Walker, and Tessa's favorite moment was meeting McGrady. Mellissa Miller has her one highlight, too.
MILLER: Watching her smile has been the best.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
KARP: And Tessa and Mellissa Miller got an extra special treat today. Charles Miller is actually stationed right now at Fort Stewart. It's right outside of Savannah. He was granted a couple hours leave so that he could come and be with his family. They live in Florida, and the expectation, Carol, is that Charles will be shipped out soon for at least a year.
Back to you.
LIN: That is great. What an awesome opportunity for those kids. Thanks, Josie.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
