When you’re along a parade route this winter during Mardi Gras, don’t be surprised if you spot a certain New Orleans Pelicans point guard, who used to attend the celebration every year as a local youngster. Just don’t expect to see him too often at one of the city’s world-famous restaurants, an unfortunate but necessary precaution for any highly-conditioned athlete.
“Initially when I first signed, I was like, ‘Man, this is going to be great, because you can’t find the food we have here anywhere else,” July 2 free-agent pickup and Gretna native Elfrid Payton said, smiling. “But then I kind of snapped back into (reality) and realized I’m doing this new little diet right now.