“Laissez les bons temps rouler!” That’s a not quite French quote meaning, “let the good times roll.”
It is a sort of a slogan (using what is called ‘Cajun French’) for New Orleans, the largest city in the southern state of Louisiana and it’s words the people who live here and especially visitors to the city live by. New Orleans on the third weekend of February almost has no option but to “Laissez les bons temps rouler,” as Mardi Gras meets NBA All Star weekend.
The famous culinary delights from gumbo and jambalaya to drinks called ‘Hurricane’ meet dunks, threes and blocks...oh okay maybe not blocks, no one blocks in an All Star game, because no plays defence in an All Star game.
“This,” said Kemba Walker, getting his first experience of All Star Weekend, “this is fun.” Walker plays for the Charlotte Hornets, owned by the legendary Michael Jordan, one of the first players to transcend his sport. Though not solely down to him Jordan was central to the NBA being able to reach out beyond the borders of the United States.
Kids from Senegal to Belgium, China, to the Philippines to Argentina, suddenly had basketball stars – mainly Jordan – to hang up on their walls alongside the posters of Maradona, Cruyff and Pele.
NY Knicks players always get all the media...hence KP in shades. #allstarweekend pic.twitter.com/PAm0caEZMf
— stuart hess (@shockerhess) February 17, 2017
Because of Jordan and by extension the 1992 US Olympic team – known as the ‘Dream Team’ – basketball gained a footing beyond the United States and All Star Weekend gradually elevated from just being an American celebration of basketball to a global celebration of the sport.
Friday’s All Star ‘Media Day’ saw media from around the world interact with some of the game’s biggest stars and right now in the NBA there is no one bigger than the ‘Greek Freak’ Giannis Antetokounmpo, who came to the NBA via Nigeria and Greece, who he now represents on the international stage.
Antetokounmpo has been one of the most popular personalities at this weekend’s All Star exhibition, primarily as a result of this being his first All Star start – the first of many if the experts are to be believed.
Antetokounmpo spent the first 20 seconds of his media engagement not saying a word, instead leaning back in his chair and shooting short video on his phone of the pack of cameras, microphones and media in front of him.
“Man, I’ve never seen this many media before,” he said in an accent that is strongly Greek mixed with the American English he’s needed to adopt since he was drafted by the Milwaukee Bucks in 2013.
When the #AllStarGame is in your home town then you get your face on a whole building. @Nike don't do small... pic.twitter.com/KtLjw8EDt1
— stuart hess (@shockerhess) February 17, 2017
Antetokounmpo has become a central play-maker for the Bucks this season switching between his usual small forward position and now point guard spot displaying a range of skills and speed that no man who stands 2.11m tall and weighs just over a100kg should possess. On his shoulders sit the Bucks chances of a run to the playoffs this season, but for now he wants to take in his first All Star game and all the razzmatazz that comes with it.
“It’s just great being here, being able to interact with Lebron (James) and Melo (Carmelo Anthony). I’ve got my notebook out, I’m taking notes, asking Lebron his view on everything, from how to be a leader and how to be a better basketball player. There’s so much here for me to learn,” said the 22 year old.
It’s the same for Walker, who admitted he tapped up Jordan for a few tips too. “He just said to enjoy the experience, there’s nothing like your first All Star game, so absorb as much as I could.”
All the players have ‘pleaded the fifth’ about whether they had or will enjoy the sights, sounds and tastes of New Orleans while they’re in town. “Man there’s a lot,” said John Wall, who’s making his fourth All Star appearance. “It would be good to get out a bit, but I got to remember, there’s whole season still to go, you can’t enjoy it too much.”
Maybe not the players then, but the wider NBA community, sponsors, visiting media, officials and celebrities – which this weekend include musician John Legend, TV star Nick Cannon and rappers Master P and Fat Joe, will most certainly be getting their groove on – ‘Laissez les bons temps rouler’ indeed.