New Orleans to host 2008 NBA All-Star Game

New York, NY (Basketball News) - National Basketball Association commissioner David Stern announced on Monday that the city of New Orleans, home of the Hornets, will play host to the 2008 NBA All-Star Game.

It will mark the first time the event has taken place in the city of New Orleans. The 57th edition of the exhibition showcase will be held on Sunday, February 17, 2008.

"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," said Stern. "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."

Stern is of course making reference to the ongoing rebuilding process in New Orleans due to the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, which struck the city in late August of 2005.

Among the many buildings to be damaged by the natural disaster was the New Orleans Arena. The hurricane and its aftermath forced the Hornets to play the majority of their 2005-06 schedule in Oklahoma City, though the club did return to the city for a few games during the season.

The Hornets will also play most of their home games next season at the Ford Center in Oklahoma City.

When making the announcement earlier in the year that the Hornets would play 35 of their 2006-07 home games at the Ford Center, Stern said the league remained committed to returning the franchise to New Orleans, hopefully by the 2007-08 season.

The NBA’s announcement Monday is the first major step in making that a reality.

"The timing of this announcement is perfect," said Louisiana governor Kathleen Blanco. "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."

A week long celebration, the NBA All-Star Game game festivities begin Friday with the rookie challenge. That contest is followed by the NBA All-Star Saturday Night, which features the Skills Challenge, Three-Point Shootout and Slam Dunk Contest among other competitions.

"NBA All-Star 2008 will be a wonderful opportunity to showcase not only the greatest athletes in the world, but one of the greatest cities in the world in New Orleans," said Hornets owner George Shinn. "I can’t think of a better way to show people that our city is back and revitalized than by hosting the NBA’s signature event."

The 2007 All-Star Game is scheduled for Sunday, February 18 in Las Vegas.