With the conclusion of the 2013 NBA All-Star Game taking place last night, the NBA has already begun the process of making plans for the future as the All-Star Game is set to make a return to the New York in 2015, to a borough still to be determined.
Both Madison Square Garden and the brand new Barclays Center in Brooklyn are contending to host the big game in 2015, and with no other cities currently in consideration, it's a near certainty that New York will host the game.
"This is terrific," NBA Commissioner David Stern said, referring to the dueling New York applications.
New York last hosted the All-Star Game in 1998, at the Garden. Garden officials have been angling to host the game again ever since they began an $800 million renovation of the arena. They now have competition from the $1 billion Barclays Center, which opened in September.
There is no set timeline to make a decision, but an announcement is usually made about 12 to 18 months before the game.
In addition to picking a location in the city, league also needs to determine the availability of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, and whether it can secure the required number of hotel rooms. The league also needs the approval and support of the city.
The battle between the Knicks and Nets on who will host only adds new dimensions to their rivalry.
The 2014 All-Star Game will be in New Orleans.
