Houston to host 2013 NBA All-star game

Houston has been selected to host the 2013 NBA All-Star game, the third time for the fourth largest U.S. city to host the event, the NBA announced here on Wednesday.The announcement was made during a press conference at Toyota Center, home to the NBA team the Houston Rockets."Houston is a spectacular sports city, and for one week it will be the basketball capital of the world," NBA Commissioner David Stern said. "NBA All-Star is a magnificent celebration of our game, and I want to thank the city and the Rockets for welcoming us once again."The 2013 All-Star game will be played at the Toyota Center. Other events scheduled to take place that week include the NBA Rising Stars Challenge, a basketball skills competition, the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game, and the popular slam dunk contest."I am thrilled the Rockets and the City of Houston have once again brought NBA All-Star to Toyota Center," Rockets owner Leslie Alexander said. "The All-Star Game showcases the best basketball players in the world and will allow our great Rockets fans and the entire community the opportunity to once again experience the best that our league has to offer. The 2006 All-Star Game in Houston was a tremendous success and we plan to set the bar even higher in 2013.""I want to thank the City staff, Houston Rockets Owner Leslie Alexander and the Houston/Harris County Sports Authority for all the work that went into bringing this world premier sporting event back to Houston," said Houston Mayor Annise Parker."Houston knows how to show visitors a good time and we can't wait to pamper NBA fans with our southern hospitality and charm. You could spend 365 days in our city and still not experience everything this town has to offer. We are alive with talent, rich in diversity and just downright full of fun. I wish the NBA and all of its fans an unforgettable stay in Houston." Houston played host to the All-Star game in 1989 and in 2006.