Whew! The 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend circus has FINALLY ended in the Valley of the Sun!
I have to admit that it was really exciting to see the downtown Phoenix and Scottsdale streets, hotels, restaurants and other businesses jam-packed with black people from all over the country! And thank you to everyone in the Valley who told me that PhxSoul.com was their go-to spot for NBA party information! It made me feel good to know that PhxSoul.com helped you have a good time!
I hope this grand event gave downtown Phoenix the economic shot in the arm that it desperately needed!
For those who know me well, Mr. PhxSoul.com is a people-watcher! I love to watch people do what they do and I certainly saw A LOT of people do A LOT of interesting things! If you don't mind, I'd like to share my Top 10 Observations about the 2009 NBA All-Star Weekend:
- Why did all of the event ticket prices have to be so expensive? We do realize that millions of people are jobless and the nation's economy is in the worst shape that it's been in decades, right?
- The police presence seemed to make a lot of African Americans in Phoenix and Scottsdale VERY uncomfortable! I understand why it was necessary to have more uniformed and undercover officers pounding the pavement. However, I have to wonder if it was necessary to make us feel as if we were Public Enemy #1!
- Speaking of the police, I can't tell you how many times I heard black people complaining about the racist treatment they received in Scottsdale. Many black people felt like they were NOT welcome! I can definitely understand African Americans' perception because my friend and I had our own negative experience with po-po! We got pulled over for a minor traffic infraction, but the cops treated us as if we committed a murder! The officer had a serious fire in his eyes when he screamed at my friend to "get out of the car!" He didn't ask my friend if he had been drinking, he straight up told my friend, "I know you've been drinking! Step out of the car now!" In the end, nothing bad happened to us and the cops became nicer, but somebody really needs to investigate how the Scottsdale task force deals with minorities!
- This weekend was not a good look for the Phoenix Suns organization. All the trade talk about Amar'e Stoudemire and the rumors about coach Terry Porter getting fired was extremely embarrassing.
- How many beautiful black women did we see this weekend? I know I saw some of God's best work ever created! Personally, I loved seeing the women who wore appealing and modest outfits instead of the ones who had all of the body parts hangin' out!
- On the other hand, I need to know what's up with this rooster-style hairstyle that black women were rockin' this weekend?
- When are the brothas gonna stop wearin' their sunglasses at night? Why do we have such a love affair with Swisher Sweets? And is it against the law for brothas to smile in public? The mean-muggin' was off tha charts!!
- Thanks to the party promoters who showed love to PhxSoul.com this All-Star Weekend. Serious shout-outs go to the "Welcome to the City Party" crew and Steve from 944 Magazine!
- Unfortunately, I re-learned one major lesson this weekend ... the doorman is the most powerful person at all nightclubs! I'm REALLY heated because I missed Common's performance at the 944 Magazine party! Why? I was stuck in line when his concert started! I knew the main promoter for the party but I didn't know the DOORMAN!! Oops!
- If you are a party promoter who asked to have your event featured on PhxSoul.com (for FREE) and failed to at least offer me tickets in appreciation ... SHAME ON YOU!! There's no way that I would have had time to hit EVERY event but for you to not even make an offer is just bad business and poor etiquette! But I thank you for promoting your events on PhxSoul.com!
Thanks to the NBA for bringing some serious excitement and controversy to the Valley of the Sun! We'll see you in another 15 years!
If you'd like to share your observations about the All-Star Weekend, click on the "Comments" link below and fire away!
