Inside Look at the East's Practice Session

Other than gridlock traffic, New Orleans has been up to the task for All-Star weekend...the food, the music, the atmosphere has been dead on.

Today was All-Star practice, which is a very light run through. Doc Rivers wore a microphone so the fans could hear him run the practice, which was cool. Doc ran one set, and called it the "Cleveland play", which of course was for LeBron to score. Doc then asked LeBron to run it for the East stars...the 45 minute session culminated with a half court shootout.

Each player had to see how many half court shots he could make in :60...a physical task actually...even LeBron admitted it was tough. The winner??? LeBron James of course, who made three. Several of the guys like Ray Allen and Chauncey Billups made two each. Jason Kidd made three as well, two of them underhanded, so, the Guinness World record was split, LeBron with the traditional shot record, and his pal, J-Kidd with the underhand record of most half-court makes in :60.

Boobie Gibson signed autographs and read to some kids...he says his voice mail is FULL, in fact overflowing with well wishes from last night. He said Mom and Dad were beaming after his 11 triple performance, full of pride.

Daniel says it all still seems surreal. He stopped short of saying he's now the favorite to win the long distance shootout, but says, his confidence is sky high.

It's off to sample some red beans, rice and jambalaya. It's so good...and gotta top it off with a beignet (hot French donuts).

Big Easy is Abuzz

The Big Easy is abuzz...not because of the Hornets, but because the best basketball players in the world are here...and that, of course, includes LeBron James, as the All-Stars have settled in for the weekend...it is a hoops Mecca.

'Bron and the stars met with media from around the world for 30 minutes. He was asked every imaginable question from who's going to replace Shaq as the team jokester (he says Dwight Howard) to his new shoe...to would he win the dunk contest...he wouldn't touch that question, saying he has no interest. He was then asked if it was a million dollar winner take all...LeBron quipped..."ah now that's interesting" he said with a huge smile, accompanied by plenty of laughter from the hoard of folks around him.

LB says Daniel doesn't need his help to get ready for the All-Star hoopla, but admitted Boobie's eyes are pretty wide right now with the scope of this weekend.

We sampled some of the stars on who the clubhouse leader is for the MVP...Dwyane Wade says it's down to 3...Kobe, Chris Paul and LeBron. Chris Paul himself said LeBron is one of two he'd pick...and Jason Kidd flat out said it's LeBron for what he means to his team...he didn't even hesitate in his answer.

More tonight from New Orleans, following the rookie sophomore challenge.