NEW YORK (AP) -New Orleans will host the 2008 NBA All-Star Game, the league announced Monday, providing a boost to a beleaguered city still recovering from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
``The award of NBA All-Star 2008 is our vote of confidence in the progress that is being made in the reopening and rebuilding of New Orleans' tourism infrastructure,'' commissioner David Stern said in a statement. ``New Orleans will become the basketball capital of the world in February 2008, and demonstrate to a global audience that New Orleans is very much open for business.''
The game will be played at New Orleans Arena on Feb. 17, 2008. There will also be a week of events leading up to the game, including the skills competitions the night before the game.
The New Orleans Hornets played their home games in Oklahoma City this season because of the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. The team returned to New Orleans to play three games, selling out two of them.
The Hornets are scheduled to play 35 games in Oklahoma City next season and six in New Orleans.
``The timing of this announcement is perfect,'' Louisiana Gov. Kathleen Blanco said. ``We've had great crowds for our major events since Hurricane Katrina: the Hornets' three games in New Orleans Arena, Mardi Gras, the Zurich Golf Classic and JazzFest. And now we can look forward to the 2008 NBA All-Star Game. What better way to say we're coming back.''
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New Orleans to host 2008 NBA All-Star Game
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Originally Posted by The Great One
