Dein erstes Forum » uns: Suns F P.J. Tucker spoke to the crowd, thanki

NEW ORLEANS -- The NBA has decided to hold the 2017 All-Star Game in New Orleans after taking the midseason event out of North Carolina because of a state law that limits anti-discrimination protections for lesbian, gay and transgender people.New Orleans, announced Friday as the new location of the game, replaces Charlotte, which was set to host the game until the NBA decided last month to move it elsewhere.Unlike several other Southern states, Louisiana has not been swept up in legislative efforts to pass laws similar to that in North Carolina -- a fact Gov. John Bel Edwards has touted while lobbying the NBA to bring its All-Star weekend to New Orleans.We embrace our rich cultural heritage and see our diversity as a virtue, Edwards wrote in a letter to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver in late July. Should the NBA choose to bring the All-Star Game back to New Orleans in 2017, it will strongly reaffirm its commitment to communities that value fairness and inclusion.The NBAs decision -- and the economic boost it will bring -- provides a timely dose of good news following disastrous flooding across large swaths of southeast Louisiana that has killed at least 13 people and damaged an estimated 40,000 homes, mostly around Baton Rouge. Much of the New Orleans metropolitan area has been spared from the flooding.While we move into the recovery phase of this disaster, I want to thank the NBA for the vote of confidence in our state to host this event and their support of the relief efforts currently underway, Edwards said.This marks the third time New Orleans, which became an NBA city for the second time in 2002, has been selected to host the leagues All-Star Game.When the All-Star Game first came in 2008, the NBA spearheaded numerous community service projects aimed at helping neighborhoods hard hit by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. The NBA will be presented with similar opportunities next year to assist flooded communities within an hours drive of New Orleans.Indeed, the New Orleans Pelicans and the NFLs Saints, both owned by Tom Benson, already have begun deploying administrative staff to assist flood relief efforts while opening the teams headquarters as a collection point for donations of basic supplies for flood victims.As we know, the NBA will engage thousands of local children and charities during this weekend, Benson said in written comments thanking the NBA for choosing New Orleans.All-Star weekend also came to the Big Easy in 2014, when Pelicans forward and center Anthony Davis made his All-Star debut. Davis would play the All-Star Game in his home arena again if he is named to the Western Conference squad for a fourth straight season.New Orleans, which has a history of hosting major sporting events, has seen its last two bids to host a Super Bowl come up short. It also bid unsuccessfully to host one of the NCAA Final Fours between 2017 and 2021. Those disappointments provided even more motivation for state and city officials to act decisively to lure the NBA All-Star Game after the leagues decision to take it away from the initially designated host city.A number of entertainment acts, including a Bruce Springsteen concert, have canceled North Carolina events because of its so-called HB2 law.Louisiana hasnt enacted -- or debated -- a bathroom bill of the type passed in North Carolina. Edwards earlier this year issued an LGBT rights anti-discrimination order.In the April order, the Democratic governor banned discrimination in state government based on sexual orientation and gender identity. State contracts also were required to comply, except contractors that are religious organizations. Edwards anti-discrimination order was similar to orders enacted by two former Louisiana Democratic governors -- but he added language protecting against discrimination based on gender identity, a provision that protects transgender people.Republican Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landrys office has issued an opinion claiming that Edwards order has no binding legal effect and exceeds the governors authority. But the order hasnt been challenged in court, and Edwards has vowed to follow it. Landrys office also has joined 10 other states in a lawsuit filed in May against President Barack Obamas administration over its directive to U.S. public schools to let transgender students use the bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity.The Human Rights Campaign, a national civil rights group working on behalf of lesbian, gay and transgender people, applauded the NBAs decision to choose New Orleans.The NBA and Commissioner Adam Silver have sent a clear message to lawmakers in North Carolina and across the country that discrimination against LGBTQ people has consequences and will not be tolerated, HRC President Chad Griffin said in a statement. New Orleans explicit LGBTQ non-discrimination protections will ensure all NBA employees, players, and fans who participate in the All-Star Game are protected from discrimination.The All-star Game is scheduled for Feb. 19, which falls during the first weekend of Mardi Gras parades. That weekend presents some logistical challenges for New Orleans in terms of policing and traffic control, but considerably less so than the following weekend, when the largest parades roll in the days leading up to Fat Tuesday, which is Feb. 28.The combination of NBA All-Star with the first weekend of Mardi Gras will provide our residents, visitors and NBA fans an even more special experience, Mayor Mitch Landrieu said.---Associated Press writers Melinda Deslatte in Baton Rouge and Brian Mahoney in Rio de Janeiro contributed to this report. China Shoes For Sale .Y. -- Bills receiver Stevie Johnson has a bone to pick with the NFL schedule maker. Fake Jordan Shoes . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. https://www.fakeshoesonline.com/ . LOUIS -- Heading into the final stretch of the season, the issues for the Chicago Bears banged-up defence only seem to be getting worse. Fake Nike Shoes . -- Timbers coach Caleb Porter didnt stray from his business-like approach to the season even after Portland downed the two-time defending league champion Los Angeles Galaxy to gain crucial playoff position. Fake Shoes Outlet . No. 13-seeded John Isner and No. 21 Philipp Kohlschreiber were among six players who dropped out of the tournament on Tuesday, joining No. 12 seed Tommy Haas and two other players who withdrew on Monday. PHOENIX -- Paul George had some big numbers -- and shut down high-scoring Devin Booker.George had 25 points and 13 rebounds and the Indiana Pacers pulled away in the fourth quarter to beat the struggling Phoenix Suns 109-94 on Wednesday night.George defended Booker and helped hold the second-year guard to 13 points on 4-of-13 shooting. Booker also committed four turnovers.Hes young and really good and has got a lot to learn playing with the physicality, George said about Booker. Tried to get him out of his spots, tried to get him uncomfortable. Thats what you have to do with guys that are so good with getting into a rhythm.Myles Turner added 20 points, and Jeff Teague had 19 points and a season-high 11 assists.Indiana had a 9-0 run midway through the fourth quarter to open a 97-87 lead.We were able to get stops. We were able to get out in transition, George said. We did a great job of just getting good looks. Not any shot we took was bad, I thought.Eric Bledsoe led Phoenix with 15 points, and Tyson Chandler had 10 points and 10 rebounds. The Suns shot 40 percent from the field and made only 9 of 33 3-pointers. They have lost five of six.Indiana has won four of six. The Pacers havent won or lost more than two games in a row this season.We have a young group, Suns coach Earl Watson said. We have to set the tone and identity on how we want to play. From now on, moving forward, defensively aggressive is how we have to play.Rodney Stuckeys 12-foot turnaround with 17 seconds left in the third quarter gave Indiana its largest lead of the game to that point, five, at 82-77. But Jared Dudley hit a 3 at the quarter buzzer on the next possession to make at 82-80 to start the fourth.The Pacers led 23-22 at the end of the first quarter, which saw four lead changes, five ties and neither team leading by more than four points.The Suns struggled with their shooting for all but the final few minutes of the seecond quarter.dddddddddddd They led 53-49 at halftime thanks to a pair of 3s from Marquese Chriss and one from Booker. Turner and George had 12 first-half points each.The Pacers made 45 percent of their shots and the two teams combined to commit 39 turnovers.We made shots, we made plays when we needed to, Pacers coach Nate McMillan said. It was a grind game for us.TIP-INSPacers: McMillan, on his teams 36-point loss to Golden State on Monday night in which Klay Thompson scored 60 points: It wasnt a good film to watch. We talked about that, but we do have to move on. ... George missed a free throw in the second quarter, ending his streak at 31.Suns: Suns F P.J. Tucker spoke to the crowd, thanking military members and veterans moments before ceremonies commemorating the 75th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. Officers took the court with Suns players during starting lineup introductions. ... F T.J. Warren missed his ninth straight game due to a minor head injury.A COOL GRANDChandler played in his 1,000th game, the 122nd NBA player ever to reach that milestone. Twenty-seven players played one of their 1,000 games as a Sun, but only three hit No. 1,000 in a Phoenix uniform -- Chandler, Danny Ainge and Steve Nash.FREE THROW DIFFERENCEThe Pacers made 32 of 41 free throws, the Suns 17 of 18. That wasnt lost on Watson. I dont know how you compete in a game when free throws, the difference is that big of a gap, he said. Of course I am biased but I dont think every one of those fouls are fouls.LOB CONNECTIONChandler and Booker connected for a pair of crowd-pleasing alley-oop dunks, one in the first quarter and another in the second.UP NEXTPacers: At Dallas on Friday night in the finale of a five-game trip.Suns: At the Los Angeles Lakers on Friday night, then home for the next three. ' ' '