Join NBA’s ‘It’s Game Time’ contest

The National Basketball Association (NBA) has launched its 61st season and commissioner David Stern said he’s excited about the new campaign because it heralds "interesting times."

Change is a constant that has made the NBA a dynamic, progressive and unpredictable league year in, year out. And this season is no exception with radical player shifts, new uniforms (check out the little shamrock at the back of each Boston jersey), a new gameball, new numbers (Kobe Bryant’s No. 24, Amare Stoudemire’s No. 1), zero tolerance in terms of referees relating to players, three new head coaches, more and more foreign invaders and a situation where there is no clear title favorite.

To give back to loyal fans during the opening week celebrations, the NBA has chosen The STAR’s sports section to host a contest for readers to win 60 "It’s Game Time" NBA T-shirts and five brand-new Spalding microfiber composite basketballs now being used in NBA games.

"It’s Game Time" is the NBA’s catchy slogan for the opening week of the regular season. And to immortalize the event, the NBA produced commemorative T-shirts with the opening week logo — destined to become collectors’ items because only a limited number has been made available for fans all over the world.

You’ll get three chances to win the T-shirts and balls. Here’s how to join:

Just send in your entries to the "It’s Game Time" contest for three straight Thursdays, starting today, and you might just be picked to win an NBA T-shirt and an NBA gameball. You may send in as many entries as you wish for each Thursday question.

Here’s the first Thursday question — What is Kobe Bryant’s new uniform number?

Write your answer on any sheet of paper with your name, age, telephone number, occupation (if student, what school, grade or year/course and if employed, your occupation and employer), address and signature. Place the paper in an envelope marked No. 1 (for the first Thursday question) and address to The Philippine STAR Sports, NBA "It’s Game Time," R. Oca Jr. and Railroad Streets, Port Area, Metro Manila.

Your chance of winning will be enhanced if you add, in your entries, your choices for the next 10 stars to join the 50 Greatest NBA players roster and if possible, why. However, this is optional on your part.

For the record, the 50 Greatest NBA players — announced during the 50th anniversary in 1997 — are Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Nate Archibald, Paul Arizin, Charles Barkley, Rick Barry, Elgin Baylor, Dave Bing, Larry Bird, Wilt Chamberlain, Bob Cousy, Dave Cowens, Billy Cunningham, Dave DeBusschere, Clyde Drexler, Julius Erving, Pat Ewing, Walt Frazier, George Gervin, Hal Greer, John Havlicek, Elvin Hayes, Magic Johnson, Sam Jones, Michael Jordan, Jerry Lucas, Karl Malone, Moses Malone, Pete Maravich, Kevin McHale, George Mikan, Earl Monroe, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O’Neal, Robert Parish, Bob Pettit, Scottie Pippen, Willis Reed, Oscar Robertson, David Robinson, Bill Russell, Dolph Schayes, Bill Sharman, John Stockton, Isiah Thomas, Nate Thurmond, Wes Unseld, Bill Walton, Jerry West, Lenny Wilkens and James Worthy.

Choose from among these candidates your 10 additions — Joe Dumars, Dominique Wilkins, Bob Love, Bob McAdoo, Bob Lanier, Bobby Jones, Gus Johnson, Richie Guerin, Artis Gilmore, Alex English, Calvin Murphy, Walt Bellamy, Connie Hawkins and Cliff Hagan. You may make your own choices outside of these suggested candidates.

Next Thursday, we’ll ask Question No. 2. And on the third Thursday (Nov. 16), we’ll ask Question No. 3.

You may send entries for each Thursday — just mark each envelope with No. 1, No. 2 or No. 3 to indicate which question you’re answering. If you send entries for three Thursdays and you’re picked each time, you win three T-shirts.

The five Spalding balls will be awarded to one winner for No. 1, one winner for No. 2 and three winners for No. 3. The T-shirts will be given to 20 winners for No. 1, 20 winners for No. 2 and 20 winners for No. 3.

Your entries for Question No. 1 will be accepted up to next Thursday. Mail or drop your entries directly at The STAR office.

Celebrate the NBA’s opening week by joining our exclusive NBA contest. This could be your most unforgettable season if you win an NBA opening week commemorative T-shirt and official NBA gameball. Join now.

Postscript: Two NBA games will be shown live on Solar’s BTV channel today. First, it’s the Toronto Raptors versus the New Jersey Nets at 8:30 a.m. with a replay at 6 p.m. then the Los Angeles Clippers face the Phoenix Suns at 11:30 a.m. with a replay at 9:30 p.m. Watch No. 1 overall draft pick Andrea Bragnani make his NBA debut with the Raptors. Vince Carter, Jason Kidd and Richard Jefferson will lead the Nets at home. Elton Brand, Corey Maggette, Tim Thomas, Shaun Livingston, Sam Cassell and Chris Kaman will anchor the Clippers against two-time MVP Steve Nash, comebacking Amare Stoudemire, Shawn Marion, Boris Diaw and the Suns.