Future Western Conference champions: the New Orleans Hornets

As a diehard basketball fan and lifelong resident of New Orleans, my heart was broken when Pete Maravich and the Jazz left town. Then the Minnesota Timberwolves nearly moved to New Orleans, but the NBA did not approve the sale. But it was all for the best when the Charlotte Hornets relocated to New Orleans. After an uncommonly poor season, the Hornets drafted Chris Paul(notes). Now that he is healthy and Byron Scott has left town, the New Orleans Hornets are ready to win the Western Conference in 2010-11.

Here are five reasons I know the New Orleans Hornets will win the Western Conference over the Lakers this year.

5. Monty Williams? Who dat?

Ironically, New Orleans Hornets head coach Monty Williams’ inexperience is a positive. The Hornets mainly got off to an 8-0 start because the NBA did not know how to prepare for New Orleans and their new head coach. A former assistant with the Western Conference’s Portland Trail Blazers, Williams knows he has a lot to learn and will be willing to take advice and constructive criticism. Also, although I don’t own a crystal ball, I can predict with certainty that the New Orleans Hornets will not have any flights delayed this year due to the head coach’s golf schedule.

4. The New Orleans Hornets have balance

There are three fundamental positions in the game of basketball: center, forward and guard. And the New Orleans Hornets have a solid player at each position. And unlike three certain players who brought their talents to South Beach, the Hornets’ three amigos do not need to fight for the ball. Center Emeka Okafor(notes) is among the top four centers in the Western Conference in both rebounding and blocked shots. Forward David West(notes)is the Hornets’ top scorer and a two-time Western Conference All-Star. And I’ll talk more about point guard extraordinaire Chris Paul later.

3. Bee-fense!

There is an old saying in the sports world. It is, “defense wins championships.” If that is true, then the New Orleans Hornets will unseat the Lakers atop the Western Conference. That is because New Orleans currently holds its opponents to the fewest points per game in the Western Conference. From blocked shots to steals to shut-down man defense, the Hornets are stifling both Eastern and Western Conference foes alike. Defense will enable the New Orleans Hornets to advance through the Western Conference playoffs.

2. The New Orleans crowd will carry the Hornets through the postseason

There is no denying that New Orleans is home to the loudest sports fans in the world. I have been to many New Orleans home games where my ears were ringing for days. While Saints fans clearly have this reputation, Hornets fans have not gotten their due. Admittedly, Hornets attendance will never measure up to the Saints – and it lags behind other teams in the league at times, as people do not get into basketball until football is over. But I was there in the Western Conference playoffs against the Spurs. When fans do show up, the “Hive” is out of control. New Orleans will have a true home-court advantage in the Western Conference playoffs if the fans turn out en masse.

1. Chris Paul is the NBA’s top point guard

Hornets point guard Chris Paul is the active leader in NBA history in assists per game. At 10.01 assists per game, Paul dwarfs Jason Kidd(notes), who is second with 9.2. This year, Paul is even better. He is averaging 10.5 assists per game, which leads the Western Conference. The point guard is comparable to the quarterback position in football. He not only passes the ball, but runs the offense. If he stays healthy, nothing will stop Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets as they fly to the top of the Western Conference.

From YahooSports

New Orleans Hornets owner George Shinn has been attempting to sell his stake in the team for months, but has been unsuccessful in finding a buyer.

So now the NBA may be stepping in to buy the franchise until a permanent owner can be found.

Minority owner Gary Chouest originally expressed interest in buying Shinn’s share, but has since withdrawn.

The Hornets are off to a strong start at 13-6 this year, but attendance is so bad, the team may soon break its lease agreement with the state of the Louisiana.

Buying the team would give the league more time to find a permanent owner who could keep the franchise in New Orleans. The NBA declined to comment.

From BusinessInsider

The future of New Orleans’ NBA franchise could again be uncertain.

If the Hornets do not average crowds of at least 14,213 for the next 13 games at the New Orleans Arena, the franchise can opt out of its current lease agreement with the state, according to Doug Thornton, vice president of SMG, the company that manages the Arena and the Superdome.

The Hornets and the state amended their lease agreement in 2007 to extend it through 2014, but an attendance benchmark of 14,735 was implemented. The franchise can opt out of the pact if the benchmark is not made over a period of two consecutive years during the agreement.

The Hornets reached the mark for the two-year period that ended in 2009, and the requirement was thought to have been lifted after the state was not required to pay the franchise inducements. But Thornton said Monday the benchmark remains in place.

Despite a franchise-record start, the Hornets have experienced a decline in attendance. This season, attendance has dipped to an average of 14,214 over the first eight games, which ranks 25th in the 30-team league. Last season, the Hornets averaged 15,072 for 42 home dates. The New Orleans Arena seats 17,188 for NBA games.

The benchmark is derived from averages of the previous season and the first half of the current season, which runs through Jan. 31. After Jan. 31, the Hornets and state will determine their remaining average based on projected totals.

“From a team perspective, we believe we have a compelling product that deserves to be playing in a full building, ” Hornets President Hugh Weber said Sunday after a crucial game against the San Antonio Spurs, which drew 12,449. “As a staff, we’re working so that becomes more of the common as opposed to the exception.

“We’re continuing to do our part and put a compelling product out there. It’s interesting because when we travel, fans find quality in our style of play and are filling up buildings in other cities. We know the team is doing their part.”

If the Hornets fail to reach the 14,735 benchmark average, they would be free to relocate but would have to pay the state a $10 million exit penalty. They also would have to inform the state of their intention no later than March 1, 2011.

Weber said the Hornets have continued to talk with the state since the amended lease was finalized in 2007. He said they will continue to have dialogue with the state, and they are not pushing to leave the city.

“We all know basketball can work in New Orleans, ” Weber said. “We’ve seen it work.”

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