The Stars Align

The Vipers have never had a player participate in the All-Star game before. During the 2007-08 season, C.J. Watson was selected, but he was already with the Golden State Warriors, so he didn't get to play (somehow I don't think he minded).

Last year Ernest Scott participated in the three-point shootout (and finished runner up, though if he'd been in the NBA competition he would've won based on how many he hit), which was a nice start, but this year, well, it's finally caught up with the Vipers.

Ladies and Gentlemen... your Western Conference All-Stars:
Mike Harris
Joey Dorsey
Antonio Anderson
Chris Finch
Paul Mokeski
Jai Steadman
Joe Resendez

(The Dream Factory, aka, slam dunk competition and three-point shootout, participants will be named later this week)

But wait, there's the potential for more (yes, I'm about to get greedy)!

Sundiata Gaines signed for the rest of the season with Utah, opening up a spot for a guard. Garrett Temple perhaps? Just saying is all...

How'd the Vipers celebrate? By coming back from a 14 point halftime deficit to win by 18. By scoring a franchise-record 44 points in the third quarter (more than Albuquerque scored in the entire second half). Okay, technically they announcements were made during the game so none of them knew (unless they were told in advance... not sure how that works), but, let's ignore that for now...

The Vipers now have 21 wins. You know, the same number they won during the 2007-08 season and during the 2008-09 season? One win from breaking the franchise record, and it's not even the all-star break.

I'll do you one better. With a win the Vipers' all-time record will be 64-64. They haven't been .500 since they were 9-9 in December 2007.

Come watch the Vipers go for history tonight at Jackson's All-American Sports Grill (corner of N. 10th St. and Dove in McAllen) at 8:00 p.m. during our first watch party of the season.

Food and drink specials:

$7 burgers
$15 large pizzas
$15 buckets
$5 banana bread beers

It might not be a bad idea to go grab a seat early and enjoy some Vipers basketball all day. At 3 p.m. you can watch NBA D-League Central on NBA TV with Vipers GM Gersson Rosas and then at 3:30 the Vipers' 100-94 win at Erie from January 23.

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Noticed something interesting last night. Apparently when the Vipers go to Fort Wayne next Tuesday, it's going to be Disney night. Fans are invited to dress up like their favorite Disney characters and they should be ready to sing Disney music. Straight-up, I asked about replacing ADB on that trip when I heard about that. Sorry dude, but, you know me and Disney. I was denied, which is too bad, since I was going to do the entire broadcast in my Mickey Mouse voice while wearing the ears. I mean, you all would've loved that, right? right?

Did you know Donald Duck was banned in Finland for not wearing pants? If anyone from Fort Wayne is reading this, will Donald-impersonators be allowed at your game? And what does this mean for Scrooge McDuck? What about Huey, Duey and Louie? Daisey? Launch Pad? Darkwing Duck? The list goes on...