Tuesday, February 19, 2008

A peaceful All-Star Weekend in New Orleans should silence skeptics who question whether the city is equipped to host major events as it recovers from Hurricane Katrina, city leaders said yesterday.

New Orleans largely avoided the violence that tarnished last year's game in Las Vegas, where five people were shot and hundreds arrested during All-Star Weekend, city officials said a day after Sunday's game.

In New Orleans over the weekend, police reported 98 arrests near all-star festivities and a shooting early yesterday in the French Quarter that left three people with minor injuries.

Police said the shooting didn't appear to be linked to any all-star activities.

"This event was a slam dunk for New Orleans and a slam dunk for the NBA," said Mayor Ray Nagin, who was flanked by Hornets owner George Shinn at a City Hall news conference.

Shinn said other NBA owners who attended the game showered the city with praise.

"Everybody was as positive as could be," he said. "We all should just be very proud of what's happened."

NETS: New Jersey returned to the court without all-star G Jason Kidd, whose status remained in limbo while rumors persist that his trade to the Mavericks is growing increasingly imminent.

The deal reportedly has Kidd, F Malik Allen and G Antoine Wright going to Dallas for G Devin Harris, C DeSagana Diop and G-F Maurice Ager, plus retired F Keith Van Horn and Trenton Hassell.

New Jersey also will get two first-round draft picks and $3 million.

Kidd, Allen and Wright were excused from the workout yesterday. Meantime, the trade was awaiting the league's approval.

-- From News Services