Las Vegas Weekly

February 20, 2009 · 6 AM

Morning Call Photo Gallery: NBA All-Star Game players at play in Phoenix

By Robin Leach

Shaquille O'Neal busts a move with Jabbawockeez.

Photo: Tom Donoghue/www.donoghuephotography.com

Las Vegas photographer Tom Donoghue, who is one of our own contributing expert lens lords, was invited to cover the 2009 NBA All-Star Game and events in Phoenix last weekend. Now that our camera king is back home, Tom’s chosen some of his favorite shots for a Vegas DeLuxe photo gallery.

The all-stars of the West in white jerseys outshot, outsizzled and outscored the blue jersey East 146-119 -- and that gave cause for some offbeat celebrations, as one-time antagonists and Los Angeles Lakers teammates Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O’Neal hugged as they shared MVP honors! Shaq, however, stole the show when he danced before the game with Jabbawockeez, Season 1 champions of MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew.

Before the game, American Idol Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks sang the national anthem, while John Legend and Juanes performed at halftime and legendary Bill Russell celebrated his 75th birthday.

Tom also was assigned the behind-the-scenes photo access and the heartwarming photo shoot with the Make-A-Wish Foundation children who had their own NBA suite and met their sports heroes. He also photographed the new NBA Cares & Cooks charity where players and chefs from different NBA cities are teamed up for the new culinary fundraiser.

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