Los Angeles  – In a city filled with movie stars, the NBA is bringing their own stars back to Los Angeles for the 2011 All-Star Game and its week-long festivities.

Los Angeles and Staples Centre is to host NBA All-Star 2011 from February 18-20, commissioner David Stern said at a press conference late Sunday. The NBA has selected Los Angeles as host for a record fifth time. The games were last held here in 2004.

“It’s getting more difficult to find cities with the kinds of amenities, close hotel accommodations, the convention centre and the like, and LA has been a popular destination,” Stern said.

“Its state-of-the-art facilities, passionate fans, first-class hospitality and entertainment options make Los Angeles an ideal host for NBA All-Star.”

The 60th NBA All-Star Game will be held on February 20. The league’s mid-season extravaganza follows a week of community events and interactive activities for fans at the convention centre, before the Rookie Challenge on February 18 and fan favourite All-Star on February 19, featuring team and individual competitions.

“For the week, Los Angeles will become the basketball capital of the world,” Stern said.

“We actually tried to bid on the finals, but commissioner Stern assured me that despite what is occasionally written, those are not awarded but earned,” joked Tim Leiweke, president and CEO of AEG, which owns Staples Centre. “So we did the next best thing and went after the NBA All-Star Game.

“We couldn’t be more pleased. We’ve had a long-term and a great relationship with the NBA whether it be here, London, Berlin, China. Everything we do together has been unbelievably successful. We certainly feel the pressure and will try to live up to the expectations for 2011.”

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was all smiles to host the week and have his city get a much-needed economic boost.

“(I welcome) anybody that brings 100 million dollars to my town at a time when the economy isn’t doing very well,” he said to Stern. “All I say is that every one of you please spend as much as you can in our town.

“There is no better place to host the action and drama of the NBA All-Star Game than the stage of so many award-winning performances.”

Dallas will host the 2010 All-Star Game. (dpa)