CHICAGO _ For several homegrown NBA and WNBA stars, Chicago boils down to two things: food and basketball.
Naperville Central alumna Candace Parker, a judge in last weekend's NBA All-Star Slam Dunk contest, put it best: "It's kind of like if you're Cubs or White Sox. You're either Lou Malnati's or Giordano's, and I'm Giordano's. There are certain things that Chicagoans understand: how important it is to solidify what your stance on food is as well as teams."
For the record, Parker added that she's a Cubs fan.
Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas, who was in town for Chicago's third turn as All-Star host and first since 1988, said he acts as a food guide whenever NBA peers visit the city.
"I give them three things: Go get an Italian beef, you've got to get a Vienna hot dog and you've got to try the pizza," said Thomas, a St. Joseph graduate and 12-time All-Star with the Pistons. "You're going to get deep dish or you get Home Run Inn pizza. Finally, you've got to top it off with Garrett Popcorn."
Lakers All-Star center Anthony Davis had Portillo's, and the Perspectives Charter alumnus added, "Giordano's is my go-to."
If nothing else was evident about All-Star Weekend, it's that Chicago prides itself on its basketball as much as its food.
"Chicago's the Mecca," Davis said.
Parker added: "Every level is respected and celebrated, from high school to college to the pros. I grew up with the expectation that you were supposed to win championships, like that's how it's supposed to be."
Chicago-area players indulged in some nostalgia over the weekend while talking about what made the city an ideal host for the All-Star Game.
