Laurel Elementary Mural (Painted by Shakor, shakorart.com)

The best thing about the League’s decision to host All-Star weekend in N.O. is the impact that it’s having on the community. The festivities were the perfect excuse for NBA Cares to team up with Midway, the makers of NBA Ballers: The Chosen One. At the previously devastated Laurel Elementary School, we caught up with Al Horford, David West, Bob Lanier, and David Stern protégé Adam Silver, who were on hand to dedicate the school’s newly refurbished basketball court. I got a few minutes with Ballers cover boy Horford, who’s also in town to play in Friday night’s Rookie Challenge. The Florida product is averaging 9.3 points and 10.0 rebounds (14th in the NBA) per game at the break for the Hawks, who own the 9th-best record in the East.

DIME: You’ve gotta be happy that at the official midway point of the season you’re here in New Orleans. How has the first half been?
HORFORD: I’m having a great time. I feel like our team, we’re a pretty tough team and I feel like we’re getting better. But I think we definitely have to step it up during the second half of the season if we want to stay in games until the playoffs. I think I’m having a good season – I think the biggest difference is being ready to play every night. We’ve already played I think, 48 or 49 games, which is more than a college season. I think that’s been the biggest adjustment. But I’ve been getting my rest. I think that’s probably the biggest key. It’s been working for me. I make sure that I get as much rest as I can and eat right and just take care of myself. It’s been paying off for me. I’m just going to keep doing that routine.

DIME: Your face is on the mural here at the Laurel Elementary School as part of the NBA Cares effort to revitalize the community. How does that feel?
HORFORD: Just seeing how these kids are going to back to school and trying to get their life straight, it’s something that I admire a lot. It takes a lot to come to school to want to get better and want to learn. It means a lot to spend some time with them.

DIME: You’re a rookie with a video game; does that get you bragging rights in the locker room?
HORFORD: I think they’ll show me love for it, you know what I’m saying? It’s been very tight to work with Midway and actually be in the video game. It’s a big deal to me. It’s something that I know I’m able to do if I have to. Working with Midway has been great – they really helped me out a lot, making it easier for me. People can use me in one-on-one or two-on-two, it doesn’t matter. But I’m obviously very athletic and explosive in the game. Just use me wisely — you can’t go wrong if you have Al Horford on your team.

DIME: How are you feeling about tomorrow’s Rookie/Sophomore game? Have you guys figured out who’s going to guard Rudy Gay yet?
HORFORD: Oh, I’m feeling good about it. Obviously Rudy is a great player. I don’t know what the starting lineups are or anything yet, but we’re going to put a collective effort in to guard him. That’s the way that we rookies roll.