2008 NBA All-Star Weekend kicks off tonight. This afternoon, Denver Nuggets star forward Carmelo Anthony spoke with the media about being in New Orleans, past memories in the city, recent West trades and more.

Q: Have you had a chance to experience New Orleans?

Carmelo Anthony: I’ve been here a couple times after the devastation of the hurricane. We are here to try and lift up the spirit of New Orleans right now. I think All-Star Weekend could not have come at a better time. After Katrina, I’ve always wanted to come down here and do the best that I can to try to uplift the spirit down here.

Q: How do you like being in New Orleans?

Carmelo Anthony: I love it. It’s an honor and a blessing for me to start my first All-Star game here in New Orleans. I’ve always loved New Orleans. I always compare New Orleans to Baltimore because it feels just like home.

Q: What is your favorite memory on Bourbon Street?

Carmelo Anthony: Walking down Bourbon Street after the Final Four, after the National Championship.

Q: What are you doing off the court during All-Star?

Carmelo Anthony: I’m going to go to all the events and to support Kevin Durant during the Rookie Challenge. I’m going to go to the Slam Dunk contest. I’m going around to see the city. Since Katrina happened, I haven’t gotten the chance to really get a full tour of New Orleans and the ninth ward so I’m trying to get there this time.

Q: Do you have any predictions for the Dunk contest?

Carmelo Anthony: I have to go with Rudy Gay because he is from Baltimore.

Q: What are your thoughts on all of the trades that are taking place in the West?

Carmelo Anthony: I’m just waiting for my phone to ring and see what we are going to do. The West is getting back to the way it used to be. The Western Conference race is tough right now even for us because we are in the ninth spot I think, so we are trying for eighth. It’s going to come down to the last game in the season I can tell you that. Every team in the West has a chance to make the playoffs. We might do something before the deadline and we might not. If we don’t, I’m going to roll with what we’ve got. Right now I love the team that we have. I think anything we get will be a plus. I think with the team we have right now we can do a lot of things.