The New Orleans Hornets

[BOSSHOG]

may play a game or two in NEW ORLEANS before the current season is over. Renovations continue at a good pace on their hurricane damaged arena. Target date is 8 March 2006 versus the Lakers.

[KamaAina]

1. You think there might be a "buzz" around that one?

:-) first game back, and of course the Lakers would get press even if they were 8-55.

The scary thing is that game might actaully have (shudder) playoff implications down the stretch; it is conceivable that the two might be fighting for that last playoff spot in the West. Dare to dream...

What's with adding "Ok-ah-ma C-ty" to the official name, anyway? Sounds like we're being set up for a "Kansas City/Omaha Kings"-type situation, in which they permanently glom onto about a quarter of our home schedule :grr:

[RoyGBiv]

2. Well ...

I'd say it was to try to put some force behind getting residents of OKC to come out and support the team so that the franchise didn't utterly tank financially while waiting for its own stadium to come back online. OKC is also trying to get a pro franchise of some variety, and my understanding is that city leaders have been angling for a potential NBA expansion slot. Showing the powers-that-be that the city will in fact support a team will be a big part of that, and it's easier to convince people to do so if the name of their city is actually associated with the team.

Just guessing. :-)

Residents of OKC have put a lot of effort into supporting the team. I've been to half a dozen games myself and have been somewhat amazed that few if any seatshave been empty. I'm sure the temporary addition of the city name has been part of that.