New Orleans is an attractive city for national sporting events. In the past few years, we’ve hosted the Super Bowl, BCS National Championships, NCAA Men and Women’s Basketball Final Four Tournaments, the Arena Bowl, and will soon host the NBA All-Star Game and WrestleMania!
This February, New Orleans will host the 2014 NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, February 16, 2014, at the Smoothie King Arena (formerly, the New Orleans Arena.) The NBA All-Star Game is a big national attraction to those who love basketball and the NBA. Over the next few days, you’ll have the opportunity to experience some of the New Orleans hospitality you’ve been reading about in travel magazines. Here is what you can expect from your time here in the Crescent City.
What Events are Scheduled in New Orleans for the NBA All-Star Game?
- Friday, February 14, 2014: The BVVA Compass Rising Stars Challenge will take place at the Smoothie King Arena. Fans of all ages will see the best young NBA players come to play against each other in a semi-competitive atmosphere. New Orleans Pelicans star, Anthony Davis, will be a part of this Rising Stars Challenge.
- Thursday, February 13, 2014 through Sunday February 16, 2014: Next up is the Sprite Slam Dunk Contest and the Foot Locker Three-Point Contest, both of which will be televised from the Smoothie King Arena. The All-Star Jam Session is similar to the NFL’s Fan Fest. There will be appearances by NBA players, celebrities, NBA dance/cheerleading teams, and even mascots, all weekend long. You have the opportunity to play basketball against your friends in a number of skills challenges and line up for free autographs from current and former NBA and WNBA players. The Jam Session will take place at the New Orleans Earnest N. Morial Convention Center in the Warehouse District section of New Orleans alongside the Mississippi River. Tickets for the Jam Session start at $10 and can be purchased here or at the door to the Convention Center.
Keep in mind that the following items are prohibited from the Jam Session: outside food and beverage, glass bottles, metal cans, illegal drugs, fireworks, slingshots, laser pointers, Frisbees, balloons, skateboards, roller blades, skates, weapons, knives, explosives, pepper spray, tear gas, large umbrellas, animals, water guns, toy guns, squirt bottles, soap bubbles, noise-making devices and professional cameras. Please cooperate with the security as they are advised to call law enforcement for anyone who does not cooperate. If you or someone you know is arrested or cited for bringing any of these items into the Convention Center, please contact your local criminal defense lawyer at (504) 264-9492. I have extensive experience helping out-of-town guests who are arrested in New Orleans get out of jail and resolve their criminal case smoothly.
What to Expect in New Orleans for the All-Star Weekend
The 2014 NBA All Star Game falls during one of the parade weekends for Mardi Gras. Guests who are staying in New Orleans will have the opportunity to experience watching some parades, catch beads, and hear some of the greatest marching bands in the city!
The weather is expected to be nicer than the rest of the country. New Orleans has had a pretty cold winter, but temperatures are starting to rise. By the weekend of the NBA All-Star Game, it will be in the upper-60s to mid-70s. As always, New Orleans can experience some scattered showers, so consider bringing a small umbrella (that folds, so you can bring it to the Jam Session) or light rain coat or poncho.
You can also expect that there will be many taxi cabs and pedicabs out for you to get around in. I would advise, even if you drove to New Orleans for the weekend, do not drive around town. The traffic will be heavy, and if you are considering any amount of alcohol drinking, it is illegal and dangerous to drink and drive. Taxi drivers in New Orleans are all equipped to accept credit cards, so if you do come across one that doesn’t, this might not be an authorized cab and you should not accept the ride.
You can also expect the restaurants to be packed with locals, visitors, and maybe even celebrities. I think it’s best to make a reservation when you have a particular place in mind. If the restaurant you want to eat in does not offer reservations, then you should leave ample time in your schedule for lines at some of the more popular restaurants such as ACME Oyster House, Mother’s Restaurant, Willie Mae’s Scotch House, or Galatoire’s. Some more off-the-beaten path, but great, New Orleans restaurants include John Besh’s restaurants, Café Reconcile (which was featured in the last season of “Top Chef”), and Li’l Dizzy’s Café, or you may choose to venture even further from the Quarter to avoid the crowds.
Stay Safe during All-Star Weekend in New Orleans
When you travel to New Orleans, it is important to remember that there are laws and rules here, despite what many visitors read and hear about on social media. Some important things to keep in mind:
• Alcohol: Although those 21 years and over can enjoy an adult beverage in a non-glass container on the street, you must keep in mind that you should never drive after drinking, listen to your bartender, bouncer, taxi driver or server if they think you’ve been drinking too much, heed warnings and cooperate with law enforcement, and be respectful to others. If you do not cooperate with the law, you will find yourself in Central Lockup at Orleans Parish Prison.
• Prostitution: It is illegal to solicit anyone for sex, even if they approach you. If you find yourself a victim of prostitution or arrested by the NOPD, please call an experienced criminal defense lawyer immediately so you can have the arrest removed from your record if possible.
• Awareness: Despite the beauty and the small size of the city, it is important to be aware of your surroundings when you walk the streets of New Orleans. Always walk with someone, stay on a lit street if possible, don’t flaunt your smartphone, hold onto your purse or handbag, and keep your expensive jewelry at home.
I Got Arrested in New Orleans, Now What?
New Orleans is a great city to host a sporting event because it encourages people to have (safe) fun throughout the city. All of downtown New Orleans, including the French Quarter, Central Business District and Warehouse District areas are walkable. We offer public transportation through the RTA by bus or street car and taxi cabs and pedi-cabs are all over the place. This means, you shouldn’t even think about drinking and driving. There is no point. It is illegal, unsafe and dangerous. If you do find yourself in trouble, whether in a physical fight, intoxicated to the point that you get arrested, or cited for underage drinking in the French Quarter, you should call an experienced New Orleans criminal lawyer that knows the city and our laws. You can call me at (504) 264-9492 or e-mail me if you or someone you know has been arrested in New Orleans. We will offer you a free consultation. In the meantime, have an amazing and fun-filled weekend at the NBA All-Star Game!
