5:11 PM: Thanks to everyone for following along with this Samsung pregame exclusive blog. Enjoy the game!
5:07 PM: PA Announcer just recapped Friday's celebrity game. Apparently 'fan favorite Justin Berber stole the show'. Little girls screams heard throughout the arena. Not sure if they're outraged over the error or just happy to hear any name sort of like their teen idol. Hope Bieber Fever isn't contagious.
5:06 PM: Little to no interaction amongst the East players. They may be a team in theory. But that doesn't mean they've forgotten their rivalries.
5:04 PM: West gets a much better reception as they stroll onto the court. Intensity level so far is at a 5. Out of 100.
5:01 PM: East team takes the court. Boos all around. They bravely those shirts to the crowd. I don't get one. Probably because I'm behind a gigantic stage. And that whole, 'media shouldn't try and shamelessly grab free swag' thing.
4:58 PM: Pregame recap: Carmelo is still a Nugget. Bill Walton is happy to be here. Most fans are stuck in traffic. Technology sucks.
4:55 PM: My seat on press row is in a row split with ESPN writers and those from FOX Sports. I'm just hoping for a danceoff.
4:51 PM: The in-house hosts of tonight's game are Rob from the Hornets and Ahmaad from the Cavs. Glad to see Cleveland got represented somehow tonight. Rob and Amhaad are introduced to the crowd, only to fid their mics don't work. At least I'm not the only one with issues tonight.
4:47 PM: I was hoping to see Scottie Pippen walking around. Wanted to ask him about losing the MVP trophy to Justin Bieber. Can't imagine it gets more demoralizing than that. On second thought, maybe it's for the best I didn't run into him.
4:41 PM: SPOTTED: Bill Walton seated courtside. Happily shaking hands, taking pictures and kissing babies. Okay, I haven't seen any babies. But I'm sure he would if asked.
4:36 PM: No players currently on the court. What are they doing? Getting a pregame speech? That seems hard to believe.
4:24 PM: Crowd starting to trickle in. I have always made fun of LA fans for always arriving late. But having driven in this town over the last few days, I get it. Somehow a three-mile drive becomes a 45 minute adventure full of swearing, middle fingers, near-accidents and no explanation for the standstill. The fact that people get to games by halftime is an impressive feat.
4:19 PM: These tech problems are beyond frustrating. I'm tempted to go hit the in-area night club. If you hear about an angry writer hitting on Leonardo DiCaprio, it's probably me. Blame technology.
4:12 PM: If I'm Doc Rivers, LeBron, Wade and Bosh are playing every minute of this game. And the C's four will enjoy a nice afternoon on the bench. The way this season is going, every minute counts. Might as well wear the Heat down while you're in charge of them.
4:05 PM: Carmelo Anthony update: Still on the Nuggets. Well, that's anticlimatic.
3:57 PM: Speaking of Yao, every media document is also available in Chinese due to the incredible amount of Chinese media in attendance. There are almost as many Chinese media members as those of us from ESPN. But not quite.
3:51 PM: Sorry for the weird delays today. Having more tech problems than Yao Ming has injuries. Am promised they will improve shortly. The tech problems that is. I don't think Yao will be as lucky.
3:47 PM: Everyone in the crowd is getting an 'MVP' sign. From where I'm sitting, they look to be in black and red and using the Heat font. LeBron James probably bought these for the fans. Always thinking of others.
3:42 PM: A very friendly security guard saw my name badge and thinks I'm from Maine. She's originally from there and is so excited someone else is too. I don't have the heart to tell her I've only been there once.
3:34 PM: I am seated directly behind the stage so find myself watching Rihanna's special effects team than watching, you know, the all stars. Spoiler alert: She has fireworks. Oh na na.
3:29 PM: A number of the guys are already warming up on the court. Such a different atmosphere than a regular season game. Everyone seems relaxed and in a joking mood.
3:23 PM: I'm inside the arena! And didn't even fall over. Patting myself on the back. But not too hard. I might trip on contact.
3:17 PM: Passer-bys still talking in amazement about Blake Griffin's show-stopping dunk over the car last night. Griffin may have won the contest but I think Kia is the real winner in this whole thing. That might have the best product placement ever.
3:13 PM: Still no updates on the Carmelo Anthony situation. Yesterday a reporter was claiming that there was 'no chance' 'Melo didn't suit up on the East today. Am now wishing I made a friendly wager with said reporter. I don't think there's any chance anything gets done until after the game tonight, if not later. Or, if ever. Keeping up with this rumor mill is exhausting.
3:10 PM: As always, please send in your questions, comments, etc. in the comments section above or on Twitter (@darcymaine_espn). Your witty observations make this blog a lot more fun.
3:07 PM: Tip-off is just over two hours away but the area around the arena is already jam-packed with people. The ESPN Zone across the street has a line that looks to go around the block.
3:00 PM (PST): Greetings from the Staples Center! Well, sort of. I'm currently outside the Staples Center as the media isn't allowed in until 3:30. I am drawing a lot of strange looks as I attempt to walk and type on my laptop at the same time. Fully expecting to wipe out any minute now.