NBA commissioner Adam Silver has revealed how a shock move by basketball legend Larry Bird played a key role in Indianapolis landing the All-Star Game.

The NBA's midseason classic is taking place at the Indiana Pacers' Gainbridge Fieldhouse this weekend, marking the first time that Indianapolis has hosted the event since 1985.

And the NBA commissioner has revealed that the sight of the 6-foot-9 Bird driving through the streets of Manhattan in a replica Indy car to hand deliver the city's bid completely blew him away.

"Larry driving an Indy car down Fifth Avenue in New York City certainly ranks up there as one of the most creative ways that we’ve ever seen an All-Star bid delivered," Silver told the Indianapolis Star. 

"To do it in that fashion speaks to how much Herb [Simon], Larry and the Pacers organization wanted to bring All-Star back to Indy.

"And I’m still not sure how Larry fit in that car."

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The move was symbolic of the lengths Indianapolis wanted to go through to win the hosting rights to the 2021 NBA All-Star Game, which was pushed back to 2024 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"To have Larry Bird and an Indy car at the same time on Fifth Avenue in New York when traffic is buzzing by and people are looking, 'Wow, what's happening?'"  recalled Rick Fuson, then president and chief operating officer of Pacers Sports and Entertainment. 

"It was really an amazing sight."

Bird's willingness to put himself out of his comfort zone especially won over NBA executives.

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"Squeezing Larry Bird into an Indy car? There is a reason most of those IndyCar drivers are mostly the size of Mario Andretti (who is 5-5)," said Leonard Hoops, president and CEO of Visit Indy.

"On top of that, Larry doesn't like the spotlight so just getting Larry to do it was a big accomplishment."

Bird, the former Pacers head coach and president of basketball operations, certainly seemed to enjoy the experience.

"It's like a bucket list thing. It's in New York, so you've got to do it," Bird said at the time.

"If I was driving around my neighborhood I don't think I'd have had any interest in it. 

"But coming up to New York and ride down the street for a few blocks, it's something that I wish everybody could do."

The NBA All-Star Game is reverting to an Eastern v. Western Conference format this year, as well as a traditional scoring system.

It's the first time since 2017 that the two conferences have played each other in this format.

There will also be a unique three-point shooting contest between WNBA star Sabrina Ionescu and Golden State Warriors point guard Steph Curry.

The celebrity game sees Stephen A. Smith and NFL Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe facing off as coaches.

Meanwhile, the NBA on TNT crew are set for a busy All-Star weekend.

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Shaquille O'Neal, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley will all be appearing in special broadcasts from Indianapolis.

Last year, Team Giannis beat Team LeBron 184-175 with the Boston Celtics' Jayson Tatum taking the MVP.

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