John Katsilometes on Daren Libonati’s preparations for today’s NBA All-Star Game

Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007 | 7:33 a.m.

Daren Libonati took a break from a phone conversation Friday afternoon to call out to an unidentified third party, "Is that the gin? The mayor's? Yeah, go ahead - take it over."

Then he returned, saying, "It's the mayor's gin. What brand is it? Bombay Sapphire? We need to have it in his VIP suites."

And you thought your job has weird tasks.

As the executive director of the Thomas & Mack Center, Sam Boyd Stadium and Cox Pavilion, Libonati's job has been uniquely challenging in the days preceding today's NBA All-Star Game at the Thomas & Mack Center. Ensuring that Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman has his networking nectar at the ready in his two VIP suites is hardly the most difficult issue Libonati has faced over the past weeks. He has also had to account for the seating and professional needs of between 1,500 and 2,000 journalists and anticipate the behavioral patterns of more than two dozen NBA All-Star entourages.

Libonati said what makes the NBA All-Star Game preparations unique has been turning 160 rows of seats into a media section to accommodate one of the largest contingent of journalists covering an event in the T&M's 24-year history. "When we've had large, large fights, it's not unusual to have 1,000 media people, but they can take most of the floor. Here, we have them in the stands and they need to be able to work."

Libonati is also aware that the NBA All-Star Game can attract the highest level of hangers-on. "As far as dealing with the crowd, I'd like to think that this one will be much easier than most, almost like a private party," he said. "But the critical areas are the egos that come with celebrities - traditionally the entourages - that's where the difficulties lie. We never want a confrontation with a celeb, or any person. We just have to be kind and stern." And make sure the mayoral gin does not run out.

NoteMart

Worth a look-see: The annual Chinese New Year-themed exhibit at the Bellagio Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, which features a giant pig wearing a big gold medallion around its neck (as 2007 is the Year of the Pig). ...

And on that topic, Caesars Palace General Manager John Unwin tells financial news publication AFX Asia, "The NBA All-Star Game is the first time we've had it here and I'm sure it will be a long time before we have another opportunity. This is our 32nd year of doing Chinese New Year. I'd say the Chinese New Year is more important." Of course, money is the reason. A year ago when Chinese New Year was celebrated in January, players wagered $827 million just on baccarat for that month and lost $90.9 million. By contrast, the All-Star Game will generate $26 million in economic activity in Las Vegas, according to the Las Vegas Convention and visitors Authority. ...

Sequin of events: All-Star mania of a different sort struck the Orleans during the week, as all 30 NBA All-Star Game cheerleaders (one from each team) stayed at the hotel and worked out at the Orleans Arena. ...

Last week during a walk-through of Pearl Theater, Palms owner George Maloof stopped at the hotel's main entrance and noted that the array of video poker machines that once occupied that spot have been removed to prevent congestion in that area. What's left is a sizeable hardwood floor covered by ... nothing. "It doesn't look right," Maloof said while shaking his head. When it was suggested he could bolt a backboard and hoop to the wall above the floor and paint a key and 3-point line on the wood for some sort of shooting promotion for casino guests, Maloof smiled and said, "Good idea." I wouldn't be surprised to see him follow through on that. ...

A new downtown hangout that could use more human participation is Brass, the new nightclub atop Hennessey's Tavern at Fremont Street and Las Vegas Boulevard. Not much action there on Friday, when Fremont Street itself was buzzing with activity. ...

Imperial Palace - the jewel of the Strip - has posted odds for the Season 6 winner of "American Idol." Leading the pack at 5-to-1 is Jordin Sparks (who is the daughter of former NFL player Phillippi Sparks, for you fans of wholly irrelevant trivia), followed by Sundance Head at 7-to-1 and Jared Cotter at 8-1. Phil Stacey faces the longest odds, at 125-to-1, and the numbers will be updated after each week's competition (the odds are for entertainment purposes only, but if you find yourself compelled to bet on "American Idol," you might need some Pete Rose-caliber intervention). ...

Speaking of which, last week tabloids reported that Las Vegan Michael Jackson would be treated to some sort of tribute week on "Idol." But Jackson rep Raymone Bain has since issued a terse (terse, we tell you!) denial that Jackson has signed agreements with the show or with Fox and that he will not appear on the show. ...

Stability optional: A friend in the field reports the plate UNSTBL on a white Nissan Xterra.