ProKing

Feb 14 2025

NBA All-Star Game 2025

NBA 2025 All-Star Weekend in The San Francisco Bay Area

NBA All-Star Events and Times

This weekend is NBA All-Star Weekend! As it has been, for the last 39 years, Team Horner Sports Flooring will be on-site. 2025 marks the 40^thanniversary of Horner’s involvement in the NBA All-Star game, and the 40^th anniversary of Horner’s ProKing®, portable basketball floor being the chosen court.

For decades, when the main criterion is, “Must Deliver”, the NBA turns to Horner Sports Flooring. Whether the event is domestic or international, Horner has delivered, and the NBA knows Horner will continue to deliver well into the future. As a business, with strong principles and work ethics, the skilled employees and management of Horner Sports Flooring have delivered the finest floors available, for thousands of teams, schools, organizations and others, around the globe.

This weekend’s NBA All-Star events will premier a new format with a mini tournament. Three teams, of eight players, “drafted” by three honorary “GMs”:

Team Kenny:

GM: Kenny Smith

Team Members: Anthony Edwards, Jalen Brunson, Jaren Jackson Jr., Cade Cunningham, Darius Garland, Tyler Herro, Evan Mobley and Jalen Williams.

Team Chuck:

GM: Charles Barkley

Team Members: Nikola Jokic, Trae Young, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Victor Wembanyama, Pascal Siakam, Alperen Sengun and Karl-Anthony Towns.

Team Shaq:

GM: Shaquille O’Neal

Team Members: LeBron James, Stephen Curry, Kyrie Irving, Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, Damian Lillard, James Harden and Jaylen Brown.

A fourth team, consisting of NBA “Reising Stars” will be determined by a playoff of their own on Friday, Feb. 14^th. The “GM” for this squad will be WNBA legend Candace Parker

Team Candace:

GM: Candace Parker

Team Members: To-Be-Determined

NBA All-Star Weekend - Where and When

This year’s NBA All-Star Weekend takes place in the San Francisco Bay Area. The main venue is the Chase Center, home of the Golden State Warriors. Additional events will take place at the Warriors’ Oakland facility, Oakland Arena and Moscone Convention Center. Details of the weekend’s events, times, and locations can be found at the NBA website: https://www.nba.com/allstar/2025/schedule

How To Watch the NBA All-Start Games

Key Events:

Ruffles All-Star Celebrity Game, Fri. 14^th, 7:00 PM Eastern, Oakland Arena (TV – ESPN)

Castrol Rising Starts Championship Game, Fri. 14^th, 10:35 PM Eastern, Chase Center (TV – TNT)

KIA Skills Challenge, Sat. 15^th, 8:00 PM Eastern (TV – TNT)

Starry 3-Point Contest, Sat. 15^th, 8:00 PM Eastern (TV – TNT)

AT&T Slam Dunk, Sat. 15^th, 8:00 PM Eastern (TV – TNT)

All-Star Semifinal Game 1, Sun. 16^th, 8:20 PM Eastern, Chase Center (TV – TNT)

All-Star Semifinal Game 2, Sun. 16^th, 9:10 PM Eastern, Chase Center (TV – TNT)

All-Star Championship Game, Sun. 16^th, 10:00 PM Eastern, Chase Center (TV – TNT)

Additional viewing options are here: https://www.nba.com/news/nba-all-star-faq-2025

Jan 24 2025

NBA Paris Games 2025

NBA Paris JAM 2025 Features Horner ProKing®

When the NBA knows the world is watching, they turn to Horner Sports Flooring for the floor they will use. This is the case, for the NBA Paris Games. This event is a mash-up of basketball, celebrities, music, food and fashion. What better place to hold such an event than Paris France? The three day event will feature fan interactive baskeball with the Spurs and Pacers, along with celebrities like french, Formula 1 race driver Esteban Ocon and French judo icon Teddy Riner. Food and music concerts will also take place.

As the NBA continues to promote the game of basketball around the world, it explores new ways to get more fans increasingly involved, and merge basketball culture with local cultures. Few cities in the world express their culture more than Paris, and this year’s NBA Paris Jam will bring Paris culture to the fore.

Horner Sports Flooring is very proud to be an integral part of The NBA’s efforts to bring the game of basketball to the world. Horner provides the NBA with its world-class ProKing portable basketball floor. The NBA has chosen the ProKing for its special events because of its safety and play qualities. But perhaps the most important reason, is ProKing’s durability. The ProKing portable basketball floor has proven it can be shipped anywhere in the world and arrive, ready to play.

San Antonio Spurs and Indiana Pacers to Face Off.

This years NBA teams, participating in the NBA Paris Games, are the Spurs and and the Pacers, two great teams to bring more basketball to the EU and France. The popularity of these NBA showcase games is evident by the sold-out crowds. Paris Jam looks to be yet another sell-out, especially with all the additional events widening the general appeal of the three day event.

Additional Information can be Found Here

https://pr.nba.com/nba-paris-jam-revolut/

https://france.nba.com/en

https://www.sortiraparis.com/en/what-to-do-in-paris/sport-wellness/articles/323198-nba-paris-jam-celebrity-basketball-matches-dj-sets-and-concerts-at-the-accor-arena

Nov 11 2024

Horner Sports Flooring Celebrates 50 Years of ProKing® Portable Basketball Floors

50 years of ProKing® Portable Basketball Floors

Basketball Floor for Chicago Bulls at United Center

Basketball Floor for Raptors at Scotiabank Arena

Basketball Floor at Clipper Staples Center

USA Basketball Showcase Floor by Horner Sports Flooring - Abu Dhabi

Wide image showing the 2016 All-Star basketball court and air canada centre scoreboard used to highlight floors on the decision maker page.

Wide image from above showing LA clippers basketball court, staples center arena, and scoreboard used to highlight floors on the decision maker page.

image of the basketball court at the Madrid BBVA used to highlight floors on the decision maker page

Wide image looking down on the basketball hall of fame basketball court used to highlight floors on the decision maker page.

Horner Sports Flooring is proud to announce the 50th anniversary of its iconic ProKing® portable basketball floor. For half a century, ProKing® has been the benchmark for portable hardwood sports flooring systems, providing athletes and spectators with a durable, reliable, and performance-enhancing playing surface.

Introduced in 1974, ProKing® revolutionized the way portable basketball floors were designed and manufactured. Its innovative features, including lightweight, interlocking panels and easy, installation, requiring no tools or loose parts, set a new standard for portable floors. ProKing became a game-changer for colleges, professional sports organizations and especially venue managers. ProKing’s unique design allows for the shortest conversion time in the sports industry, meaning a basketball game can be played on the same day as another event, such as hockey. ProKing® floors have been used in countless tournaments, championships, and televised games, consistently delivering exceptional performance and durability.

The ProKing® portable basketball floor played an instrumental role in the growth of basketball as a world wide sport. Having the ability to pack a full size, professional level court into shipping containers, ship it to a country anywhere in the world and put on a demonstration game was huge. The court made its way to several countries as the floor of choice for The Summer Olympic Games. It was often deployed to military bases and was occasionally setup outside for games. As American products go, the ProKing® floor has lead a storied life.

At home, in the United States, The ProKing® portable basketball floor was underfoot for nearly every superstar that has played the game in the last 5 decades. It was the floor in use for most of the iconic moments in the sport. If there was a memorable event that happened in basketball, there is a very good chance it happened on a ProKing® floor.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ProKing®,” said Doug Hamar, President and CEO of Horner Sports Flooring. “This milestone is a testament to the quality, innovation, reliability and the industry’s acceptance of our products. ProKing® has been a cornerstone of our business for decades, and we are committed to continuing to provide our customers with the best possible flooring solutions.”

Oct 22 2024

The Superior Dome Showdown Honoring Tom Izzo

Celebrating Basketball at The Superior Dome in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

It’s a moment decades in the making. Basketball Hall of Fame coach Tom Izzo, who has cemented his legacy at Michigan State, returned to his alma mater, Northern Michigan University, for one of the greatest honors in sports—a jersey retirement ceremony. On this special occasion, the Wildcats immortalized the coach’s incredible journey from a small-town player to a legendary figure in the world of college basketball.

The Superior Dome Showdown, a game between Northern Michigan and Michigan State basketball, may have been the largest sporting event ever held in the Upper Peninsula. But there’s more to this event than just Izzo’s celebrated return.

Superior Dome Showdown view from rafters — Superior Dome Copyright 2024 – Northern Michigan University

The game took place on a specially crafted court made by Horner Flooring, a company deeply tied to Michigan’s history of basketball. The combination of these elements—a hometown hero and a locally crafted court—brings the entire event full circle.

Tom Izzo's Wildcat Roots

Before his days of leading Michigan State to multiple Final Fours and a national championship, Izzo was a standout player at Northern Michigan University in the 1970s. He played guard for the Wildcats from 1973 to 1977, where his work ethic and leadership skills became apparent.

Superior Dome Showdown - Tom Izzo — Tom Izzo – Photo Copyright 2024, Northern Michigan University Athletics

Though he found greater fame on the sidelines, guiding Michigan State’s Spartans to basketball prominence, those formative years in Marquette laid the foundation for his coaching philosophy—one rooted in hard work, loyalty, and grit.

It’s fitting, then, that NMU retired Izzo’s jersey. This honor highlights the deep bond between Izzo and the Northern Michigan community, a bond that has only grown stronger over the years despite his many accomplishments in East Lansing.

Horner Flooring: A Special Touch for a Special Night

To make the evening at the Superior Dome even more memorable, Horner Flooring, a company based in Dollar Bay, Michigan, crafted the custom hardwood court that was used during the event. Horner is renowned for producing top-tier basketball floors, with its products used in NBA arenas and college gyms across the country. Known for precision craftsmanship and durability, Horner’s floors provide the perfect foundation for players to perform at their best.

The pristine hardwood will not only serve as the stage for Izzo’s jersey retirement but also as a tribute to the legacy of basketball in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. It’s a fitting contribution from a company that, like Izzo, has Michigan roots and a national reputation.

A Historic Night for the Northern Michigan University Community

As Tom Izzo stepped onto that custom Horner Flooring court for his jersey retirement ceremony, it marked a full-circle moment for the coach, the university, and the Upper Peninsula. It’s not just a celebration of one man’s career, but a recognition of how basketball and local craftsmanship are intertwined in Michigan’s culture.

For Michigan State and NMU students, fans, and basketball enthusiasts, this night at the Superior Dome was one to remember—a hometown hero returning to the place where his journey began, honored in the most fitting way possible: with his number retired on a court made by local artisans.

Oct 09 2024

How to Clean Wood Sports Flooring

A Clean Wood Sports Floor is a Safe Floor

Perhaps the most important characteristic of a sports floor is traction, also known as coefficient of friction. In professional sports, this one quality of a floor can mean the difference between a multi-million dollar per year athlete playing or sitting out a season. So its critically important to get your cleaning program dialed in.

Floor Finish and Shoes

There a four main elements that determine the coefficient of friction between the floor and the athlete.

The floor finish
Dirt or dust on the floor
The sole of the shoe
Dirt or dust on the shoe’s sole

Floor finishes have undergone extensive testing at the professional level and there are only a handfull of approved finishes. These include both water based and oil modified polyurethane products. These approved products will occasionally change, so check with your flooring professional for current approved finishes.

Dirt, dust and sweat are a constant problem for sports floors and represent a real threat to an athlete’s safety. Loss of traction can lead to injuries and lost playing time. Keeping the floor clean and dry is an important job that is taken seriously by the league and players alike.

Known as “The Chirp”, it is the squeak that happens between a player’s shoe and the floor. The chirp is an audible indication that all is well when it comes to traction.

"The Chirp"

In this short clip from NBA Summer League, you can clearly hear the chirp coming from the player’s shoes and the Horner Sports Flooring’s ProKing® portable basketball floor. This indicates the floor is clean and dry, and the player’s shoe soles are also clean and dry.

To protect the finish and get a chirp clean floor there are a few rules, hints and tricks:

Never wax a floor. Never.
Never use harsh chemicals.
Never use abrasive cleaners or pads for routine cleanings.
Never wet mop a wood floor.
Dry mop using a clean, dry terry cloth towel or micro-fiber cloth.
If cleaning heavy dust or dirt, use a damp towel that leaves no water behind.
Dry mop the entire floor just before competition.
Always clean a portable floor after assembly and just before competition. (it is a good idea to give it a quick dusting before storing as well)

Daily

Daily dust moping is also highly recommended, as doing so won’t allow dust to settle onto the floor.

Yearly

On a yearly basis, the floor should be professionally screened and re-coated if necessary.

Long Term

Approximately every 7 to 10 years (depending on the usage of the floor) the floor should be sanded, sealed, painted, and finished by a trained professional. This will help to further protect your investment in the floor and prolong the life of your floor.

There is no substitute for a clean wood sports floor. Following these few instructions will help ensure your floor is safe for play and protected from unnecessary ware and tear.