Robert Kraft hung out at the 2019 NBA All-Star Game
Kraft chatted with the likes of Shaquille O'Neal, Charles Barkley, and LeBron James.
Patriots owner Robert Kraft sat courtside for Sunday’s NBA All-Star Game — and was once again hanging out with Philadelphia 76ers co-owner Michael Rubin and rapper Meek Mill.
Still wearing his diamond “Championships” necklace — a gift from Mill that he debuted at the Patriots’ Super Bowl afterparty and flaunted during the victory parade — Kraft also mingled with a number of other celebrities and athletes in attendance at Charlotte’s Spectrum Center. In addition to posing for selfies with Mill, rapper Ludacris, and actor Jamie Foxx, he was spotted chatting with four-time NBA champion Shaquille O’Neal, 11-time All-Star Charles Barkley, and Los Angeles Lakers forward LeBron James.
Kraft, Rubin, and Mill seemingly traveled in a pack this month, having spent time together at pre- and post-Super Bowl festivities as well as the Sixers-Lakers game on Feb. 10. In January, the trio, along with rapper Jay-Z and CNN commentator Van Jones, launched the Reform Alliance, an organization dedicated to lobbying for changes to state probation and parole laws.
Mill, who performed a handful of songs during player introductions Sunday night, has been vocal about his friendship with Kraft, calling the 77-year-old “a real dude.” Kraft visited Mill while he was in prison last spring, and the two have hung out several times following Mill’s subsequent release.
Robert Kraft talks with Shaquille O’Neal.
LeBron James speaks with Robert Kraft before the start of the second half.
Robert Kraft speaks to fans during the first half of the NBA All-Star Game.
Other famous faces that watched “Team LeBron” take on “Team Giannis” include R&B singer Janelle Monae, who kicked off the evening with a pre-game concert; Canadian pop singer Carly Rae Jepson, who sang “O Canada” before tip-off; Charlotte native Anthony Hamilton, who offered a soulful rendition of the “Star Spangled Banner;” and rapper J. Cole, who performed several of his hits, including “ATM” and “No Role Modelz,” as halftime entertainment.
First things first…
The people love @JColeNC.#NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/iDBWm3cq9D
— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) February 18, 2019
But J. Cole and his old school Hornets starter jacket weren’t the only things to bring the crowd to its feet. During a timeout in the second half, Celtics legend Bill Russell was among a group of NBA legends to be honored at center court. Introduced as an “11-time NBA champion on the court and a civil rights champion off the court,” Russell received a standing ovation.
George Gervin, Magic Johnson, Allen Iverson, Bill Russell, David Robinson, and Julius Erving attend the 68th NBA All-Star Game.
Rapper Gucci Mane and wife Keyshia KaOir, rapper Quavo, rapper 2 Chainz, retired NBA point guard Gary Payton, Food Network personality Guy Fieri, film director Spike Lee, model Karlie Kloss, disgruntled Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown, comedian Lilly Singh, and “Saturday Night Live” cast members Heidi Gardner and Chris Redd all were also in attendance.
2 Chainz even managed to cop Celtics point guard Kyrie Irving’s jersey.
https://twitter.com/NBAonTNT/status/1097518604088676354
