Football
Associated Press 17y

NBA unveils New Orleans All-Star logo

NEW ORLEANS -- Flood-damaged Charity Hospital, where pro
basketball Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler was born, remains a vacant
shell and will sit in limbo until state officials figure out what
to do with it.

A few blocks away is the New Orleans Arena, which will host an
event next February that Drexler hopes will help revitalize the
city of his birth.

During an NBA-run basketball clinic for children Tuesday on the
campus of Tulane University, Drexler and Hornets forward-center
Hilton Armstrong helped the NBA unveil its new logo for the 2008
All-Star game.

The symmetrical, circular logo incorporates much of New Orleans'
heritage, with two fleur-de-lis symbols, eight brass horns and
fringe detail that resembles the cast-iron lace adorning French
Quarter balconies.

Drexler said it was important to him to be part of promotional
events surrounding the All-Star weekend in New Orleans, a city
where he lived as a toddler and returned often to see relatives
after his mother had moved to Houston.

"Any time I'm here, it's like home," Drexler said.

He said the NBA's decision to bring the All-Star game to New
Orleans is "extremely important, one, from an economic standpoint,
and two, to show that the city is recovering and that people are
investing time and energy into events in the city.

"That's huge," he continued. "This city is known for tourism,
so you want everyone to come back."

Some in pro basketball, including NBA players' union chief Billy
Hunter, have questioned the wisdom of bringing the NBA's All-Stars
to New Orleans, where police have struggled to get violent crime
under control in certain neighborhoods.

But most of the violence has involved criminals fighting each
other. Serious crimes committed against tourists have been rare,
according to police, and Drexler said he senses that most players
look forward to spending All-Star weekend in New Orleans, with its
renowned restaurants, music clubs and casinos.

"The players are excited to come to New Orleans," Drexler
said. "This city definitely needs the boost, so it couldn't happen
at a better time."

In fact, the Feb. 17 game will cap perhaps one of the greatest
opportunities a city that lives on tourism has ever had to showcase
itself.

Starting in late December, New Orleans will host the New Orleans
Bowl, the Sugar Bowl, the BCS Championship and, if the Saints
repeat last year's success, a possible NFL playoff game or two. The
12 days of Carnival leading up to Mardi Gras begin in late January
and run through Fat Tuesday on Feb. 5. Then the NBA's best come to
town.

Meanwhile, the Hornets, back in New Orleans full-time for the
first time since Hurricane Katrina struck Aug. 29, 2005, hope the
buzz created by the All-Star game renews interest in pro basketball
in the region.

The Hornets were worst in the league in attendance in 2004-05,
their last full season here. Then again, they were also the worst
team on the court that season, winning only 18 games.

"Every city supports a winner. If you ever put together a team
that's good enough to compete, they get tons of support from the
locals. That's been proven," Drexler said.

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