Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

West Can't Forget Victims of Katrina

NBA All-Star goes all out to help needy in New Orleans

By Mike Buss,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 17, 2008 8:36 PM CST

(Newser) – Tonight's NBA All-Star Game in New Orleans showcases basketball's best. In the Big Easy, the lingering effects of Hurricane Katrina's devastation are part of the scene. For Hornets All-Star forward David West, they're part of everyday life, and no matter how much he does to help, it doesn't feel like enough, Sports Illustrated reports.

"There's always more that you can do. It's hard because you want to help everyone," he says. "Tent City," an area of about 200 homeless residents who live beneath an I-10 bridge, particularly sticks with West. He says he hopes the difficult images his fellow All-Stars saw this weekend will stick with them and spur them to help, too.

Floodwaters left after Hurricane Katrina fill the streets of New Orleans, Louisiana, on August 30, 2005.
Floodwaters left after Hurricane Katrina fill the streets of New Orleans, Louisiana, on August 30, 2005.   (KRT Photos)
New Orleans Hornets forward David West shoots against the San Antonio Spurs during the fourth quarter of their NBA basketball game  in San Antonio, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008. West dedicates many hours trying fellow New Orleans residents who are still displaced by the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)
New Orleans Hornets forward David West shoots against the San Antonio Spurs during the fourth quarter of their NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Saturday, Jan. 26, 2008. West dedicates many hours trying...   (Associated Press)
New Orleans Hornets forward David West (30) comes down with the ball after a flagrant foul by Memphis Grizzlies forward Mike Miller during the fourth quarter of a basketball game in New Orleans, Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008.  West scored a game-high 33 points as the Hornets beat the Grizzlies 112-99....
New Orleans Hornets forward David West (30) comes down with the ball after a flagrant foul by Memphis Grizzlies forward Mike Miller during the fourth quarter of a basketball game in New Orleans, Saturday,...   (Associated Press)
NBA player Dwyane Wade visits Ninth Ward residents and signs autographs for six-year-old DiMarco Smith, left, and his mother Rochelle Morgan, right, while passing out hurricane survival kits, New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 17, 2008. Wade also announced that Wade's World Foundation will be building three homes in the area. (AP...
NBA player Dwyane Wade visits Ninth Ward residents and signs autographs for six-year-old DiMarco Smith, left, and his mother Rochelle Morgan, right, while passing out hurricane survival kits, New Orleans,...   (Associated Press)
NBA basketball star Jason Kidd works on a home in the Lower 9th ward of New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 15, 2008. NBA players in town for the All Star game are working on community service projects to help with the recovery from Hurricane Katrina.  (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
NBA basketball star Jason Kidd works on a home in the Lower 9th ward of New Orleans, Friday, Feb. 15, 2008. NBA players in town for the All Star game are working on community service projects to help...   (Associated Press)
Debris sits on the curb as weeds overgrow a yard in the Gentilly area of New Orleans Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007. Nearly two-thirds of the city's pre-Hurricane Katrina population has returned, a new report estimates. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Debris sits on the curb as weeds overgrow a yard in the Gentilly area of New Orleans Tuesday, Nov. 6, 2007. Nearly two-thirds of the city's pre-Hurricane Katrina population has returned, a new report...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

More Newser Stories

Spurs Keep Hopes Alive; Win Over Hornets

West, Hornets Push Spurs to Brink, Lead 3-2

San Antonio Fights Back; Gets Needed Win

Hornets Hand Mavs First-Round Exit

Mavs on Brink of Another Early Exit


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne