T-Mac Has Issues With New Orleans As All-Star Site

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">After experiencing All-Star Weekend in Las Vegas, Rockets guard Tracy McGrady said he isn't sure if he wants to be part of the next one.

Reacting to NBA Players Association director Billy Hunter's comments about security for the 2008 All-Star festivities in New Orleans, McGrady said Tuesday that he is concerned about safety to the point he might consider skipping the event.

"If I don't feel I'm going to be safe, if I am on that team, I will look into probably not even going," McGrady said.

Hunter said in a Newsday article Monday that the union might consider suing the NBA if it does not believe New Orleans can safely host the event.

"If the union is not convinced that the city can accommodate the All-Star Game, it's an issue that will be subject to litigation between the union and the league," Hunter said.

Hunter later said he was speaking hypothetically and planned to visit New Orleans to meet with city officials.

"If things for some reason or other were to degenerate to the level where everybody was alarmed, where it just wouldn't make sense to go, in that instance I could always initiate a lawsuit," Hunter said Tuesday. "That's not to say I'd prevail, but clearly I could do that. But we're nowhere near that, and it was a hypothetical situation to begin with."

McGrady, however, said Hunter's comments echo his own initial concerns.

"I really didn't hear his comments, but I heard somebody talking about the safety (concerns)," McGrady said. "When they first mentioned to me that the All-Star Game was going to be in New Orleans, that was the first thing I thought about: How much security are they going to have for the players and everybody there?

"I don't think it's the right city to have this type of event right now. I know the city is in need of trying to get back on its feet, but safety comes first. I'm sure they're going to do a lot of research and look into this before they make this decision."

The decision already has been made, however, with the NBA steadfast in its commitment to have New Orleans host the 2008 event.

"We're looking forward to New Orleans playing host to next year's All-Star events and are equally excited about the Hornets' return to the city next season," NBA commissioner David Stern said in a statement. "The reports we have received about other major events and conventions recently held in New Orleans have been very positive, and we fully expect All-Star 2008 to be a great success."

Law enforcement officials were kept busy during this year's All-Star Weekend. Las Vegas police reported 403 arrests and four shootings, including three people shot in an incident allegedly involving NFL player Adam "Pacman" Jones. While there were no arrests at the NBA players' hotel, several players have said they did not feel safe to leave the hotel or official events.

"I'm scared right now, only because of the situation down there now," said Rockets guard Rafer Alston, who was in Las Vegas. "If it's like that now, what happens when you have 500,000 people on their way down there and people who earn a substantial amount of money down there? Right now, it's pretty unsafe. (If) they can assure David Stern and the rest of the league that the players and their families and their friends will be all right down there, then it could be a go.

"I was very uncomfortable (in Las Vegas). I didn't leave my hotel until I was headed to an event. I didn't even leave to go to eat. I ate in my hotel. It was the overall atmosphere. The whole feeling didn't feel safe. Then when the weekend cleared, you started to see unbelievable numbers of arrests and things that went on. You think, 'If that happened, what's to happen in New Orleans?' "
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I think T-Mac is somewhat right but I dont think they should change the site after everything NO has been through.. They need an economic boost and the NBA should just have more security there for the events.. I don't think that T-Mac should not if he is selected or if he isnt.. Its a fun break for the NBA players and they should just go there enjoy themselves and help the community...

 

I was against the whole thing from the beginning; New Orleans should get to host the ASW just out of pity-reasons. Now with the safety issues, it just adds to my opinion.

 

Yeah its definately out of pity. I don't think they should get it and not only because of the safety issues. There are plenty of cities who should get it,(Chicago, Miami, L.A)

 

i wouldent mind it in NO its not really unsafe the saints play there all the time

 

^^This is a totally different atmosphere than a Saint's game.

 

I agree with T-Mac.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Playmaker15 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah its definately out of pity. I don't think they should get it and not only because of the safety issues. There are plenty of cities who should get it,(Chicago, Miami, L.A)</div>

L.A had it in 2004.

I dont understand T-Mac's concerns, the players surely couldnt be in too much danger. I wouldnt think they would be in any danger at all.

 

he mentions something about vegas.. Something must have happend... and then he said all the arrests that happend after the all-star game and all that

 

How about we come back East?

04 - Los Angeles
05 - Denver
06 - Houston
07 - Las Vegas
08- New Orleans

Not very fair that the West gets homecourt advantage for the last 4 and next year 5 years. Last time we saw the East was in Atlanta in 03.

 

true dat but I think we should go international.. London or something like that would be great

 

i actually kinda hope it's in toronto since i'll be there all february.

 

<div class="quote_poster">NTC187 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I dont understand T-Mac's concerns, the players surely couldnt be in too much danger. I wouldnt think they would be in any danger at all.</div>
New Orleans has a high crime rate.

 

I agree that New Orleans isn't a good location for next year's ASG, but not for the reasons McGrady's talking about. There's no way the players will be near any sort of violence. The security around them will always be high.

Toronto deserves to have an All-Star Game soon. It's the only major city to not have one and there's a big Canadian market that's waiting to be acknowledged.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Chutney Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">I agree that New Orleans isn't a good location for next year's ASG, but not for the reasons McGrady's talking about. There's no way the players will be near any sort of violence. The security around them will always be high.

Toronto deserves to have an All-Star Game soon. It's the only major city to not have one and there's a big Canadian market that's waiting to be acknowledged.</div>

The Raptors were attempting to make a big for the 2008 ASW back in 2005 i believe but pulled out because they weren't sure they would be ready and financial or other projects. Not completely sure. They said they would bid on 2011? or 2012?

Anyways, i dont see NO as a big problem. Mardi gras is much bigger than the ASW, so it can be controlled.

 

<div class="quote_poster">P.A.P. Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">The Raptors were attempting to make a big for the 2008 ASW back in 2005 i believe but pulled out because they weren't sure they would be ready and financial or other projects. Not completely sure. They said they would bid on 2011? or 2012?

Anyways, i dont see NO as a big problem. Mardi gras is much bigger than the ASW, so it can be controlled.</div>

Apparently Toronto is going to make a run once they complete the maple leaf square project next to the ACC. It's supposed to be filled with shops and stupid places people can waste their money. That's according to Doug Smith in the Star at least...

The underreported part about this is Vegas apparently had a fair amount of problems containing the ASG crowd this year. There was a spike in violence which a lot of people were blaming on one segment of NBA "fans" who usually show up on all-star weekend. If vegas had trouble containing what was going on then how is New Orleans which is still recovering going to cope with the same kind of action?

In my opinion NO is a great place to hold the ASG ... maybe not next year though. Give them some time to build up again and they'd be more prepared.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">I dont understand T-Mac's concerns, the players surely couldnt be in too much danger. I wouldnt think they would be in any danger at all.</div>

it's because of Vegas...I've seen other reports talking about how bad security was there...

 

<div class="quote_poster">Butter Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">How about we come back East?

04 - Los Angeles
05 - Denver
06 - Houston
07 - Las Vegas
08- New Orleans

Not very fair that the West gets homecourt advantage for the last 4 and next year 5 years. Last time we saw the East was in Atlanta in 03.</div>

Well thats how the All-Star Game has been for awhile, it went Cleveland,New York, Oakland, Wash. DC, Philadelphia, Atlanta. So the East may get it in '09 or '10. I'd rather have it every other year but thats just what they do.

 

Toronto desirves it. Canada is huge for basketball. But NO, should have one, it would be good for the money, and for one thing, these are like 6'7 NBA players, who is gunna come after them. T-Mac is a big guy, not weak, and hes afriad of possibly a white guy comeing after them. It's kinda of a worse excuse then when Jason Kidd accused his wife of beating him. Im sure a Triple-Double machine; 6'6 220 pound starting PG is gunna get beat by a 5'2 125 pound Mocca girl. lol. NO should have one, i dunno about now, but one day.

 

<div class="quote_poster">Ford_11 Wrote</div><div class="quote_post">Toronto desirves it. Canada is huge for basketball. But NO, should have one, it would be good for the money, and for one thing, these are like 6'7 NBA players, who is gunna come after them. T-Mac is a big guy, not weak, and hes afriad of possibly a white guy comeing after them. It's kinda of a worse excuse then when Jason Kidd accused his wife of beating him. Im sure a Triple-Double machine; 6'6 220 pound starting PG is gunna get beat by a 5'2 125 pound Mocca girl. lol. NO should have one, i dunno about now, but one day.</div>

First of all, Jason Kidd is 6'4" and 210 pounds. I believe he had every right to file a restraining order against that crazy coke head wife of his.

Second of all, what the hell are you talking about? T-Mac is afraid of a white guy coming after him? That makes no sense at all. In the past 7 years--each year--he has lost someone very close to him (that's 7 deaths). His stepmom died because of cancer, his aunt who raised him took away her life when Ryan McGrady forgot his inhaler, he lost a couple of very close friends, his cousin was shot in the head by her boyfriend... He has every right to worry about the security of his family, friends, and himself. The guy has been through a lot.

Is it really that cold up there in Toronto?