Ballers and Shotcallers: Zo & Magic’s 8-Ball Challenge

Zo & Magic’s 8-Ball Challenge
Centennial Building in Fair Park

The red carpet walks kicked off at 7.30 p.m., with Mourning’s appearance leading the way. Early attendees were held in a “reception area,” separated from the pool tables by a blue carpet and curtains. Everyone was pretty much told to hold the line and wait for speeches from the hosts.

The crowd got a restless, though–so much so that Magic had to hush the room for a few minutes so the speaker could finish. As for what was bring said, we weren’t really listening. Instead, we were trying to peak behind the curtain to see the paid sponsors do their photo shoots with the stars. Thankfully, that didn’t last very long, and, soon enough, all guests spilled into the main room, accosting the open bar and snagging places at the pool tables to compete against their favorite celebs.

For someone easily starstruck, this event could have easily sent them into cardiac arrest.

A-Listers walked the room and mingled with guests like they were all at a house party. And, between cameras being thrust into their faces, the hosts actually got to get in some really good pool games.

The arrival of Dwyane Wade caused a particular furor: The micro-cocktail dresses and liquid leggings gravitated to him like The Force.

It was 11 p.m. and snowing outside but he strolled in, sunglasses on, with the kind of swagger only reserved for slow-motion shots in rap videos. It was quite humbling.

All in all, the event was great for lounging and celeb-watching. But it wasn’t the raucous time people often associate with the All-Star Game.

Celebs Spotted: Alonzo Mourning, Magic Johnson, Vivica A. Fox, Tom Joyner, Donna Richardson-Joyner, Cheryl Underwood, Terrell Owens, Pat Smith, Chamillionaire, Stephen A. Smith, Mark Cuban and Dwyane Wade.

Celebs promoted: Alonzo Mourning, Earvin “Magic” Johnson, Tom Joyner, Dwyane Wade (Miami Heat), Mark Cuban, Allan Houston, Amar’e Stoudemire (Phoenix Suns), Anthony Anderson, Chamillionaire, Chris Bosh (Toronto Raptors), Chris Paul (New Orleans Hornets), Chris Tucker, Common, Derrick Rose (Chicago Bulls), DJ Irie, Dorrough (Rapper), Ed Lover, Emmitt Smith, Erica Hubbard (Actress “Lincoln Heights”), Fred Hammond, Gabrielle Union, Gerald Wallace (Charlotte Bobcats), James Brown “JB”, Jarrett Jack (Toronto Raptors), Jarvis Green (New England Patriots), JaVale McGee (Washington Wizards), Joe Johnson (Atlanta Hawks), Jordan Farmar (LA Lakers), Julius “Dr. J.” Erving, Karlie Redd (Cash Money Records artist), Ken Hamlin (Dallas Cowboys), Kenny Lofton (MLB), Kevin Love (Minnesota Timberwolves), Mario Lopez, Martellus Bennett (Dallas Cowboys), Michael Beasley (Miami Heat), Michael Bivins, Nancy Lieberman (WNBA), Ndamukong Suh (top NFL prospect), Nelly, Paul Pierce (Boston Celtics), Rashard McCants (NBA), Shannon Brown (LA Lakers), Spud Webb (NBA), Stephen Curry (Sacramento Kings), Stephen A. Smith, Steve Smith (NBA), Terrence Newman (Dallas Cowboys), Tyreke Evans (Sacramento Kings), and Vivica A. Fox

Drinks Slung: Ciroc was a sponsor and the specialty drinks were all sorts of Ciroc concoctions. But the “Tropical” was the ladies’ favorite.

Music Played: Definitely an East Cost party–lots of Jay-Z, Biggie, Kanye, with a little old school soul thrown in.

Clothes Worn: Considering it was an exclusive, invite-only affair one would expect more cocktail attire. There were suits and microscopic cocktail dresses in the building, but the scene was heavily over-run with the designer jeans-and-a-hot-shirt-and-boots look for both men and women. T.O. Kept his knit beanie on for most of the night. Every once in a while a pair of sequin or metallic liquid leggings would saunter over to the latest star to hit the door.