NBA Player's Union doubts Big Easy ready for NBA All-Star Game

Am trying to figure the player's stance. Evidently, they are not confident in the New Orleans PD's ability to handle the hip-hoppers, the very fans the NBA has long cultivated and catered to, and now seem to want to distance themselves from. Maybe Allen Iverson is afraid to come to New Orleans because of the hoppers the AWS attracts but as is said above, if NOPD can handle Mardi Gras, I'll take my chances that they can handle the hoppers.

Seems as if the players union and the league/owners could've worked on this behind closed doors, assessed the risks, and developed the spin and damage control before this hit the press. No matter what they do now, some will criticize them for not doing their fair share to help New Orleans recover. I'm not sure who is in charge of public relations for the NBA but that sumbitch oughta be fired.

 

It's the typical drivel you hear from somebody who hasn't visited the city and all of the sudden thinks they're an expert on city matters because they watch CNN. Yes, crime is getting worse, but it's getting worse in places where tourists and people who would be in town for ASW wouldn't even go near.

I agree with everyone else that if the NOPD can handle Mardi Gras, they can handle All-Star Weekend. My only question is this: when is All-Star Weekend next year? I've noticed that in years past (this year included), it has typically been the same weekend at Mardi Gras, which would definitely pose a big problem, I think. That, coupled with the Saints winning the Super Bowl next year (which is the Sunday before Mardi Gras day) and we could have a full-scale riot on our hands!

 

Clair's boy is at it:

http://www.nola.com/newsflash/louis...ts-12/117271224457860.xml&storylist=louisiana

 

In the big scheme of things, I could really care less. I can't stand the NBA anymore anyways. There wouldn't have been such a crime issue in Vegas had the NBA not turned into a Gangster's Paradise.

 

Screw him. Hope he doesnt make it as an All Star and he wont have to worry about it.

 

I don't understand why everybody gets so worked up when someone dares to point out the obvious -- that NOLA ain't the safest place in the world. All he said was CONSIDER not going.

Besides, it's not the NBA's duty to "help New Orleans recover," as is so often stated. Let's not forget that the city was on the verge of losing their NBA franchise BEFORE the damned hurricane.

 

Sure, it's not the safest place in the world, but what a lot of people fail to realize is that it's not the entire city that is unsafe, but rather particular parts - parts where tourists and visitors in town for the All-Star game would never go near. But, since all anyone will ever report on is the murders in the 9th Ward and Central City, all of the sudden the entire city is crime-infested.

Like I said earlier, I can't stand the NBA and could really care less if the All-Star game was here. But it really pisses me off when people make false statements about what goes on in the city when they haven't even visited since the hurricane.

 

Also remember....NOLA is not so much a "24 hour" city as Vegas is....places actually settle down here during some hours...

 

I'm sure it's what you meant, but New Orleans is hosting both the Sugar Bowl and BCS Championship Game, not the Super Bowl.

With those two games, coupled with All-Star Weekend, and hopefully a Super Bowl Title for the Saints, this city will experience the biggest athletic hangover ever come the end of February!