Host city enjoys spotlight

New Orleans making most of All-Star weekend

NEW ORLEANS -- A city that lives on tourism couldn't buy advertising this good.

Hosting basketball's greatest stars for a game watched by millions in 215 countries was a boost in itself.

Organizers capitalized on that platform by greeting viewers with a French Quarter-style facade, a New Orleans brass band and second-line dancing so contagious that even players started bouncing.

The faux French Quarter streetscape, built in a lower corner of the New Orleans Arena and featured during pre-game introductions, forced the NBA to sacrifice nearly a full section of excellent seating close to the court.

The NBA has made the rebuilding of New Orleans from Hurricane Katrina the primary theme of All-Star weekend. So it only made sense that the league would give up a few hundred seats so the city could showcase cultural richness that has fascinated tourists for generations.

Local trumpeters Kermit Ruffins and Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews delighted the players and the crowd, backed up by the Rebirth Brass Band, a popular draw at local bars and clubs for years.

Extras danced on the balcony, some dressed in NBA jerseys and many wearing feather boas like those often worn by revelers on Bourbon Street.

The national anthem featured saxophone player Branford Marsalis and singer Stephanie Jordan, both New Orleans natives.

Then Hornets All-Stars David West and Chris Paul said a few words on the city's behalf.

"Your commitment to this great city has given us a tremendous boost," West said.

Added Paul: "New Orleans is definitely back to being the city that the world knows and loves."

FLASHBACK: Julius Erving had a sudden flashback as he strolled past a practice court set up in the Louisiana Superdome.

Dr. J, who including his years as a player has been to 37 straight All-Star weekends, played before a then-record setting single-game crowd of 35,077 in a game against the New Orleans Jazz in 1977.

"It made me think about not only that game, but the next day, Pete Maravich, Dick Cavett and I were the only ones in the building during the Dick Cavett show," Irving said. "Those two days are etched in my mind, very special days, and it all came back to me."

The Jazz played in New Orleans for five seasons from 1974 to 1979 before moving to Utah, playing their final four seasons in the Superdome. The Jazz never made the playoffs.

STAR-STUDDED: As usual, the All-Star Game was a star-studded affair not only on the court but in the stands.

Those making VIP entrances on a red carpet included actors Arnold Schwarzenegger, Alyssa Milano, Gabrielle Union, Olivia Wilde, Chris Rock, Terry Crews and Corbin Blue. Musical artist Ludacris and music producer Jimmy "Jam" Harris also were on hand.

The game being in New Orleans, however, former Saints quarterback Archie Manning, father of Peyton and Eli, was treated like the biggest star if them all. The crowd erupted when his face appeared on the scoreboard video screen.

Who heard boos? Dallas Cowboys receiver Terrell Owens.

SPECIAL STARS: Carlton Lockett had a surprise for Dwight Howard.

When the Orlando center, who won Saturday's slam dunk contest after donning a Superman outfit complete with a red cape, met Lockett, the youngster from Cleveland busted into his own "Superman" move made famous by Soulja Boy's popular "Crank Dat" song.

"I showed him how to do it," said the 15-year-old Lockett, a liver transplant patient who was a guest of the NBA and the Make-A-Wish Foundation at this weekend's All-Star events.

Lockett and three other sick youngsters got a chance to visit with all the players before Sunday's game. The biggest thrill for Lockett was when he got to meet Allen Iverson, his all-time favorite.

"He almost fainted when A.I. came around the corner," said his mother, Chabli. "He's been an A.I. fan since he was four or five years old."

"I told him I was his biggest fan," Carlton said. "People back home give me a hard time about it."