Bucks entertainment staff to play big role in NBA All-Star Game presentation

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The people who make the Bucks games exciting and a blast to watch will be going with Khris Middleton and Giannis to take part in the NBA All-Star Game festivities.

These are the people that make all the Bucks magic happen at Fiserv, and now five of them will be doing it on an international stage.

"It's the pinnacle. Besides the NBA Finals, what is really bigger than the All-Star Game? It's like times 10," said Bucks In-Game Host Melanie Ricks.

Ricks, along with DJ Shawna Nicols, are two familiar faces that will be heading to Cleveland to help with the entertainment at the All-Star Game.

Johnny Watson, arena and event presentation executive producer for the Bucks, said this isn't his first time going.

Watson said they've been planning for two to three months with the NBA and other parties to prepare for the league's 75th anniversary celebration.

"It's a pretty elaborate process, from just the pre-game ceremony stuff to the in-game entertainment, to the half-time ceremony, so there's a lot of stuff going on," said Watson.

Lights, music, and competitions -- they'll be rehearsing it all and preparing for the unique event that they said is much more intense than your typical home game.

"We're on the whole time, so where on Sunday we have the basketball game, so when the basketball game is going on, you have a chance to kind of reset, wait for the next time out -- Saturday night it does not stop," said Live Programming and Entertainment Director Kate Ulrich.

Everyone involved said it's an honor to represent our hometown, Milwaukee, to the world.

"A, to be chosen for the All-Star Game is such an honor, and then B, to be in a building with the biggest names as players and maybe entertainment-wise, it's different," said DJ Shawna.

"It is different, because you're working with the best of the best," said Ricks.

Bucks staff will be accompanied by staff for the Cleveland Cavaliers as well.