NBA Jam Session tips off at Orange Co. Convention Center

Thousands of basketball fans are crowding the Orange County Convention Center for the NBA All-Star Jam Session.

Half a million square feet of Orange County Convention Center space is now wall-to-wall NBA.

The event features 45 attractions for fans of all ages who may not be able to afford the pricey All-Star Game tickets.

Orange County's movers and shakers joined NBA commissioner David Stern for the official tip off Thursday afternoon. Lots of folks will tell you this is better than the actual All-Star game.

"That was awesome! I just want to see how it is in the real NBA," said Christian Ferreira, a tourist from Rhode Island.

The 19th annual All-Star Jam Session gives even the tiniest fans a chance to see the stars they look up to.

"This is the one chance Orlando fans will actually be able to touch and feel NBA basketball up close and personal," said NBA events director Karen Barberan.

You can see why Paul Pierce can palm a basketball, and why you cannot. And you can try to fill Dwight Howard's size 18 shoes.

And you can dunk like the pros on a rim chopped down to size just to make it fair.

Courts are set up around every corner with enough hoops, backboards and balls so that everybody in the family can take a shot.

"It is amazing! He's a huge basketball fan. So, I wanted him to get that experience while we're on vacation. I thought, what a better place to take him than the NBA All-Star Jam Session. Here we are!" said fan Christian Peloquin.

Several former and current NBA stars arrived Thursday to sign autographs -- another big draw here. Jam Session runs through Sunday.