A Night of Stars

The Globe's Marc J. Spears got some pool lessons from the Black Widow.

Last night the stars were in full force as the festivities for the NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans got off to an entertaining start.

First we headed to an old warehouse across the street from the city's convention center for the Zo and Magic Johnson 8-Ball Celebrity Tournament.

There were plenty of pool tables, lots of free drinks flowing, great music and stars attempting show off their pool skills.

Magic Johnson and Julius Erving teamed up to face a team from ESPN, including former Boston Globe reporter and fellow native New Orleanian Michael Smith.

On another side of the room Chris Tucker of Rush Hour fame was going against actress Gabrielle Union and former NBA great Allan Houston.

Also in the house were Spurs guard Tony Parker and his bride, the lovely Eva Longoria Parker. Baseball Hall of Famer Dave Winfield, actress Vivica Fox, Sonics rookie Kevin Durant, Hornets players Chris Paul and David West, and Hawks rookie forward Al Horford. Saints running back Reggie Bush was in the house along with his girlfriend, Kim Kardashian.

Charlotte Bobcats owner Bob Johnson was working the room with his VP of his team, Michael Jordan. There was a Danny Glover sighting. Rapper Ludicris was seen with his own pool stick for the evening.

The WNBA was well represented, as Lisa Leslie and Simone Augustus were in the building.

I had the most fun chatting with Branford Marsalis about our team, the New Orleans Saints. I could not believe he was saying out of his mouth that the only time he wants to see the Saints in the Super Bowl if they are the favorite. I told him we have lost for so long, do you even want to taste it. He flat out said no!

The world famous pool professional, the Black Widow, was challenging partygoers to win $1,000 if they hit three consecutive trick shots. The Globe's Marc J. Spears was up for the challenge. Spears hit the first two difficult shots, but on the final one he fell just short. He did not put enough on his final shot. I guess he didn't want it bad enough. He won a pool stick for his efforts.

There was Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony, who was with his fiancee La La (recently a model in the latest Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue). Carmelo shook my hand and said, oh, you are the dude that took Marc from me.

Following this event, I strolled to another party where the Hornets' Chris Paul and Michael Smith were co-hosting at the 360 Lounge atop the World Trade Center.

As soon as I walked in, I ran into a group of friends from Boston, who decided to come down for the festivities. I was surprised to see them.

I was not surprised to see the Nuggets' Allen Iverson, Grizzlies swingman Rudy Gay, Bush and his girl, Durant, Jazz forward Paul Millsap and a host of other athletes and celebrities.