Inside The Thunder

Trae Young Makes Bold Claim Predicting All-Star Weekend Coming to OKC

The Oklahoma City Thunder sent five representatives to All-Star Weekend, which, for the second straight year, took place in a small market. Despite the NBA upping the requirements to host the event, Trae Young is making a bold claim about his home state.

Rylan Stiles

Trae Young Makes Bold Claim Predicting All-Star Weekend Coming to OKC
Trae Young Makes Bold Claim Predicting All-Star Weekend Coming to OKC /
In this story:

After a Sunday dud in Indianapolis, NBA All-Star Weekend has drawn a lot of fire from the National Media. 

For the second straight season, the league hosted this jeweled event in a small market, and while it is excellent for the local economy and to support one of your 30 markets, the players (and media) have pushed back on destinations such as Cleveland, Salt Lake City, and Indianapolis—the previous three host cities. 

So, the league announced yesterday they have upped the requirements to host the mid-winter classic. Cities must have 7,250 hotel rooms, a minimum of three five-star hotels, a convention center of 650,000 square feet of exhibition space, 75 nonstop domestic flights, and at least 20 international flights. 

Despite Oklahoma City residents voting for a new arena that will cost $900 million, primarily paid for by tax dollars, OKC does not come close to meeting these revised standards set by the NBA. 

This did not stop Atlanta Hawks star, and Oklahoma Native, Trae Young from making a bold prediction that Oklahoma City will one day host the All-Star Weekend Event. 

While it looks bleak now, there is reason to share Young's optimism. Oklahoma City is growing rapidly with a seeming goal of continuing to climb the ladder of legitimacy as a city. Approving the new arena was a huge step in the right direction for this market. 

EXCLUSIVE: Keyontae Johnson Beats the Odds, with an NBA All-Star Weekend Appearance As Next Career Milestone

Want to join the discussion? Like Inside the Thunder on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Thunder news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.

Published
Rylan Stiles
RYLAN STILES

Rylan Stiles is a credentialed media member covering the Oklahoma City Thunder. He hosts the Locked On Thunder Podcast, and is Lead Beat Writer for Inside the Thunder. Rylan is also an award-winning play-by-play broadcaster for the Oklahoma Sports Network. 

Home/News