HEIDI COLLINS, CNN ANCHOR: The 52nd NBA All-Star game tips off later on tonight at TNT. For a look ahead, we go back to Josie Karp. Hey, Josie Karp, how's it going?</s>JOSIE KARP, CNN SPORTS CORRESPONDENT: Very well, Heidi. Everyone has promised that tonight at the All-Star game there will be tributes galore to Michael Jordan, because everyone expects that this will be his final All-Star appearance. Last night over at Phillips arena, Jason Richardson of the Golden State Warriors got things kicked off in that vein during the slam dunk contest. He won the slam dunk contest for the second year in a row and put on a performance worthy of Michael Jordan. Jordan, of course, was not a competitor in the slam dunk contest last night, but he was out on the court. He was a judge. And we expect to see him on the court today playing. But not in a starting role. This is interesting. The fans didn't vote Michael Jordan as a starter. However, several players on the East Team, Allen Iverson of the Philadelphia 76ers, Tracey McGrady of the Orlando Magic, they have offered to give up their starting spot so that Michael Jordan can have that honor. But he has declined that, and yesterday he explained why. He said, there's a cycle of change in the NBA, and he doesn't want to be the one to interrupt that cycle. However, there's also a history in this game of players doing just that, giving up their starting spot so that an older, more distinguished player could have that honor. Back in 1978, Doug Collins did it, John Havlicek got to start. In '92, it was Tim Hardaway who stepped aside for Magic Johnson, who ended up being the MVP. Again, Michael Jordan says he doesn't want that for him, but there will be a sentimental push again tonight to try to get him out there on the court as a starter. Back to you.</s>COLLINS: I do the same thing all the time with Miles over here. Josie Karp, thanks so much.
NBA All-Star Game Begins Tonight