Unfriendly Hornets Nest

Care to take a stab at which NBA team has the best record in the Western Conference?

The defending champion San Antonio Spurs, you say? Nah. They're a solid 28-16, but this team trounced the Spurs by 24 over the weekend.

The high-powered Phoenix Suns? Uh-uh

Last year's steamroller, the Dallas Mavericks? Nope

It's the unassuming New Orleans Hornets.

Chris Paul's steady hand and Peja Stojakovic's hot one have helped the Hornets cool the Suns, dull the Spurs and drain the Lakers on their way to a 32-13 record two weeks out from the All-Star break.

While their journey from the duldrums to dominance is stunning, equally as shocking could be this gem: the Hornets are pulling up the rear when it comes to attendance.

Of the 30 NBA teams, only Indiana has drawn fewer fans at home games during the first half of this young season. Going by percentage capacity, New Orleans edges Memphis and Philly for third-worst in the league. When they hit the road, no team draws fewer fans to opposing arenas than the FIRST PLACE Hornets.

While businessmen and cynical sports talk hosts are ready to toss in the towel on New Orleans owning an NBA franchise, I'm not ready to make that leap just yet, despite embarassing attendance figures.

The most common argument for the team's lack of support from the locals is the Stepchild Theory. Basically, there are those that claim because the Hornets came from Charlotte and were not born in New Orleans, the city will never embrace the team the way they might an expansion franchise. Much like a parent will seldom love a stepchild with the same vigor he would his biological child.

Interesting, since the Indianapolis Colts seem to be doing well after their move from Baltimore two decades ago. So much so that the city of Indianapolis is helping the World Champions build a new stadium at an estimated cost of $625 million. That's a lot of cash for a stepchild.

Need we mention the Los Angeles Lakers moved from Minnesota; the Tennessee Titans once called Houston home; Fort Wayne hosted the Detroit Pistons; oh, and the team that was stripped from New Orleans which still bears its name in Utah claims the fifth-best attendance record currently in the NBA. So much for that theory.

Some blame silly things like the mascot and color scheme, while others think parking and safety in New Orleans are to blame. Others say there is just not enough disposable income in post-Katrina New Orleans to support two professional franchises.

Baloney! All of it.

The truth is, there is just no emotional connection with this team and there are many reasons that have caused this.

Aside from Peja and Paul, south Louisiana sports fans would be hard-pressed to name the other three members of the starting five. And don't even mention the bench players. Nobody knows this team, and the actions of the NBA after Hurricane Katrina are to blame. While the struggles endured in the Superdome have been well-chronicled, the newer design of the New Orleans Arena allowed it to hold up well during the storm. While the city may not have been open for business, the Arena was reopened only one month after Katrina hit. Yet, the Hornets did not play a game in New Orleans until March 8, 2006 -- 19 months post-Katrina. How can a city take ownership of a franchise when a fan base only sees its team on television with the words "Oklahoma City Hornets" littered across the floor of the Ford Center?

True, the Hornets were dead last in attendance the season before Katrina, but during their playoff run in 2002-2003 they were in the middle of the attendance pack. It was only during lean years under Tim Floyd and the departure of fan favorites Baron Davis and Jamal Mashburn that attendance waned. Translation: give the people a winning product and they will come.

This year the team is winning -- a lot -- and people are still not coming. The answer is quite simple. The Hornets have been out of sight, out of mind for two seaons, while the beginning of the current season coincided with the LSU football team's run to a National Championship. Truthfully, the Hornets could be in the middle of a Jordan-esque championship run and the sports world is south Louisiana would stop if LSU were making a football title push. So, while radio and television analysts were debating which color sweatervest Jim Tressel would wear for the BCS National Championship Game, the Hornets were gelling and running to the top of the standings.

Now, here were are three weeks after the Tigers pounded Ohio State to take home the crystal ball, the championship buzz has worn off and lo and behold the Hornets are in first place. With LSU basketball dragging up the rear in the SEC and baseball still a month away, people will begin to notice this team. And when they do, they will like what they see.

Chris Paul is a legitimate MVP candidate. Peja is shooting almost .500 from three-point range. Julian Wright can jump out of the gym. And the NBA world will turn its eyes to New Orleans next month for the All-Star Game. Sports fans love to follow a winner. There may not be a better time for south Louisiana to fall in love with the Hornets. There may not be a more necessary time either, as Oklahoma City would welcome the Hornets back in a flash.

If New Orleans wants to keep its basketball team, it had better turn the New Orleans Arena from a dried up beehive into a Hornets nest.

A full Hornest Nest.