The NBA officially took over New York City on Friday as the league kicked off All-Star Weekend with media availability in Times Square. For two hours, reporters of all kinds jostled for position as basketball’s biggest stars gathered in one (huge) room in advance of this weekend’s festivities.

The consensus among All-Star veterans is that the buzz surrounding this weekend is greater than usual with everything occurring in the Big Apple. Chris Paul agreed that there seem to be more events, promotional and otherwise, scheduled, but the Los Angeles Clippers point guard still plans to enjoy downtime with his family.

Most teams have approximately 30 games left this season, putting great emphasis on plans for how they’ll attack the final two months before the playoffs.

Here are some of the sights and sounds from this afternoon:

Isaiah Thomas Happy To See Cousins Mature

Isaiah Thomas, who spent his first three seasons with the Sacramento Kings before joining the Phoenix Suns (via sign-and-trade) this past summer, is thrilled to see the steps DeMarcus Cousins has taken forward this season.

“He deserves it. He’s the best man in the NBA, I’m happy for him,” Thomas said. “He’s taken so many steps in the right direction and his game is just getting better and better.”

“His numbers have always been crazy, but he’s understanding the game a lot better,” he added about Cousins, who is averaging 23.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. “He’s maturing as a basketball player and leader. He’s doing a lot of great things for the city of Sacramento.”

Beverley Plans To Hit Gym With Playoffs Looming

Even with Dwight Howard (knee) sidelined, the Houston Rockets remain in solid playoff position. They’ll enter the stretch run with a shot at earning home-court advantage in the first round, thanks in large part to the MVP-caliber season James Harden is enjoying.

Patrick Beverley, who brings unabashed toughness to the Rockets, has some specific plans as he prepares himself for the postseason.

“I try to get after the weighs a little harder after the All-Star break because I know that’s going to carry over into the playoffs,” the third-year guard said. “You want to start building good habits, especially on the defensive end. Everything isn’t going to be perfect, but after the trade deadline -- for the most part -- you should know what you have offensively and defensively.”

Beverley, 26, added that he tries not to change his routine when the games carry more meaning.

“You have to continue to be yourself and do the things you do,” he said.

Knight: Bucks Should Have Been Represented In All-Star Game

Brandon Knight, considered by many to be a fringe All-Star, spoke candidly about the success of the Milwaukee Bucks this season and whether or not they deserved to have a player in Sunday night’s All-Star Game.

“I think we should have had a representative [in the All-Star Game],” he said. “Based on what we did last year and our turnaround this year, I think we definitely should have had an All-Star. It’s the NBA, it is what it is.”

Knight and the Bucks have taken a step forward this season under coach Jason Kidd, who came over from the Brooklyn Nets in strange fashion this past summer. After a 15-win season in 13-14, Milwaukee has already doubled their win total and has a firm grasp on a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.

“We’ve got to keep pushing, guys have to stay disciplined and we’ve got to continue to trust one another,” Knight said of the team. “Continue to stick to what we’ve been doing and take it to another level. Our veterans have been doing a good job of talking to our younger guys and helping us keep our eyes on the prize.”

Milwaukee didn’t undergo major roster turnover from last season and Kidd has gotten most of the credit for the club’s success.

“It’s a great experience, a great opportunity,” Knight said of playing for the recently-retired Kidd.  

“He’s a guy that’s so knowledgeable about the game with a lot of experience in the NBA as a player. He’s been in the NBA for a while so he knows how it works. Just to have someone like that on your side and coaching you, knowing what it takes is special. When a lot of the players enjoy playing for a coach, it makes it easier. I’ve been in situations where a lot of players despise the coach and they go out on the court and do stuff just to make the coach mad, which also hurts their brothers on the team. Everybody enjoys playing for Jason.”

Matthews Learned To Become Two-Way Player With Jazz

Wesley Matthews will participate in the Three-Point Shootout on Saturday night, but the Portland Trail Blazers star doesn’t even consider himself a sharpshooter.

“I don’t even really consider myself a three-point shooter, I just shoot,” Matthews said with a smile before explaining how he came to be a perimeter threat.

“When I was with Utah and coach [Jerry] Sloan would put me in the game it was for energy and defensive. On the offensive end, I was a liability. Teams didn’t guard me, so my man was able to help off and guard Deron [Williams], [Carlos] Boozer and [Andrei Kirilenko],” he said.

“That’s when Kyle [Korver] and C.J. Miles would come in because defenses have to respect their shooting. I’m not one that likes to come off the court, so I worked with Jeff Hornacek to make sure that I was a two-way player and if you’re going to leave me open I’m going to knock the shot down to help my team and keep me on the floor.”

Harden Making The Jump He Saw Durant Make

James Harden is averaging 27.4 points, 6.8 assists and 5.7 rebounds this season while posting a higher PER (27.39) than LeBron James and Chris Paul.

The 25-year-old has been an All-Star three years running, coinciding with his trade from the Oklahoma City Thunder to the Houston Rockets. This season, he’s a legitimate MVP candidate thanks to not only his offensive prowess, but also a defensive resurgence.

Harden talked Friday about making the jump from All-Star to truly elite, referencing his former teammate Kevin Durant.

“I witnessed it with KD. I was there firsthand,” he said. “To see him grow step-by-step, going from one of the best players in the league to MVP was just motivation. It’s motivation for me to go out there and take my game to another level.”

Harden and Durant maintain a very close relationship despite not having played together since 2012.

“That’s my right-hand man,” Harden said of the NBA’s 2014 MVP. “I’ve learned so much from him. He’s going through a tough time battling all these injuries, but he’s a strong-minded person. He’s going to fight through it, battle through it. I send him text messages here-and-there to encourage him to get back on the court and get back to 100%.”

Bosh Doesn’t Think He’ll Have Duncan’s Longevity

Tim Duncan is an All-Star for the 15th time this weekend, tying him with Shaquille O’Neal and Kevin Garnett for the third-most appearances in NBA history. Duncan, who will turn 39 in April, has re-invented his game numerous times to help the San Antonio Spurs stay on top and keep himself productive.

“You have to change the whole way along,” Duncan told reporters. “You have to adjust to what your team needs and what you’re able to do. You have to accept that there is some deterioration at some point, and your role is going to change. You’ve got to get your pride out of the way.”

Chris Bosh, who turns 31 in March and is already a 10-time All-Star, is amazed by Duncan’s longevity.

“He’s Tim Duncan. He’s the greatest of all-time. Him being able to transform his game, I don’t really know how he’s done it,” Bosh said. “Every time you think he’s done playing, he’s an All-Star the next year. I don’t think I’m going to be able to do that. His commitment to the team and what he’s done with his body to make sure that he can continue to play and have longevity is truly amazing.”

Bosh grew up idolizing Duncan, who he has battled back-to-back years in the NBA Finals.

“Him being in Texas, me being in Dallas. He was close and very good at what he did,” the Heat forward admitted. “I don’t want to make him feel old, but me watching him in high school, middle school, he was one of the guys I modeled my game after.”

Butler Heaps Love On The Gasols

Jimmy Butler, enjoying a breakout season and his first All-Star appearance, couldn’t be happier for Chicago Bulls teammate Pau Gasol, who will start against his brother Marc of the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday at Madison Square Garden.

“Those are some strong genes. Both of them are very deserving and really, really, really good people,” the 25-year-old said of the brothers. “It couldn’t happen to two better people."