A long day in the Big Easy finished with an entertaining but ragged game in the Rookie Challenge, with the sophomores winning 136-109.

Cleveland guard Daniel Gibson led his team to the victory with a game-high 33 points, all from beyond the arc as Gibson made a game-record 11 3-pointers.

Seattle Rookie Kevin Durant finished with 23 points, eight rebounds and four assists. Teammate Jeff Green totaled nine points and four rebounds.

But more important than the game, for Durant and Green it was about rubbing elbows with current All-Stars like LeBron James and Kevin Garnett, and meeting celebrities like Chris Tucker, Eva Longoria, Ludacris and Neo.

"It’s a crazy environment down here during this All-Star weekend," Durant said before the Rookie team’s morning practice. "But I’m glad to be a part of it. It’s fun, especially with Jeff (Green) being down here with me."

Green was pleased to just see Longoria.
"That’s all I needed to see," Green said with a coy smile. "Tony Parker’s a lucky man."

Both said they like the opportunity to come back, and plan on working hard over the summer to make sure that happens.

"Most definitely," Green said. "I’ve already made plans to try and come back next year. It’s a great weekend to come together with all of the All-Stars and seeing the behind-the-scenes things. It’s a great opportunity to see what hard work can do for you. Being here, trying to come back next year is great opportunity for me."

After a slow start on Thursday downtown New Orleans is packed today, although it's been raining, keeping folks indoors.

The arena was a little over half full, with middle school kids who received free tickets for good grades filling most of the lower bowl, and a few scattered fans sitting in the bleeders. Store owners and taxi drivers seemed ready for a rush of people to come through, and are a little disappointed so far with the crowds.