Kori Ellis
12-15-2006, 01:54 AM
Spurs notebook: Hornets committed to Big Easy
Web Posted: 12/15/2006 12:35 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA121506.10D.BKNspurs.notebook.36886de.html
NEW ORLEANS — Hornets owner George Shinn said Thursday he is leaning toward having the team play all of next season's home schedule in New Orleans.
Shinn said earlier this week he was considering having the Hornets play a handful of games next season in Oklahoma City, the team's primary home since it was forced from New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina. He said Thursday he would still consider that option if New Orleans would have trouble supporting a 41-game schedule, but he doesn't expect that to happen.
"At this point and time, probably the best thing to do is give it a 100 percent chance here," Shinn said. "If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. If it works, God bless us, we're moving on.
"I know it's not going to be easy. But we're going to give it our best shot."
Shinn said he hopes to have some New Orleans investors join the franchise's ownership group.
"I just think adding local people adds strength to the whole community," Shinn said. "The psyche is built up. Also, if they have skin in the game they're going to work harder to help us get tickets sold and sponsorships involved."
The Hornets had trouble generating enough fan support even before Katrina.
"I've been walking around the building talking to people," Shinn said. "People are telling me they're happy we're back and here to stay. It's all been very positive.
"But it's a business. (NBA commissioner) Mr. (David) Stern understands that. He isn't too happy when he doesn't see people in the seats."
Duncan among All-Star leaders: Tim Duncan ranks second among Western Conference forwards in balloting for the NBA All-Star Game.
The league released its first returns Thursday and Duncan has 423,228 votes, second to Minnesota's Kevin Garnett (453,536). Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki is third with 405,613.
The Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (720,365) and Houston's Tracy McGrady (668,130) are first and second among West guards. The Spurs' Manu Ginobili (125,076) and Tony Parker (118,417) are sixth and seventh, respectively.
Houston center Yao Ming leads all West players with 836,392.
The Eastern Conference leaders are: guards Allen Iverson (595,200) and Dwyane Wade (586,679); forwards LeBron James (808,570) and Chris Bosh (304,624) and center Shaquille O'Neal (522,815).
Paper balloting continues through Jan. 15. Online votes can be cast at NBA.com through Jan. 21.
The All-Star starters will be announced Jan. 25. The reserves will be selected by the league's coaches and revealed on Feb. 1.
Horry rests: Robert Horry spent Thursday's game on the inactive list, as expected.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich wants to rest Horry on the second night of back-to-backs. He held Horry out of Monday's victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
"The competitive part of you wants to play," Horry said. "But you can understand (Popovich's) logic."
Jackie Butler took Horry's spot on the active roster.
Home sweet home: While the Spurs were forced to fly into New Orleans on Thursday, Popovich and some of the players liked the change.
They would prefer to make some of the shorter trips on the morning of a back-to-back game, but the league makes teams arrive in the town they're visiting the previous night.
"That's some good rest you get when you sleep in your own bed," Horry said.
Web Posted: 12/15/2006 12:35 AM CST
Johnny Ludden
Express-News
http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA121506.10D.BKNspurs.notebook.36886de.html
NEW ORLEANS — Hornets owner George Shinn said Thursday he is leaning toward having the team play all of next season's home schedule in New Orleans.
Shinn said earlier this week he was considering having the Hornets play a handful of games next season in Oklahoma City, the team's primary home since it was forced from New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina. He said Thursday he would still consider that option if New Orleans would have trouble supporting a 41-game schedule, but he doesn't expect that to happen.
"At this point and time, probably the best thing to do is give it a 100 percent chance here," Shinn said. "If it doesn't work, it doesn't work. If it works, God bless us, we're moving on.
"I know it's not going to be easy. But we're going to give it our best shot."
Shinn said he hopes to have some New Orleans investors join the franchise's ownership group.
"I just think adding local people adds strength to the whole community," Shinn said. "The psyche is built up. Also, if they have skin in the game they're going to work harder to help us get tickets sold and sponsorships involved."
The Hornets had trouble generating enough fan support even before Katrina.
"I've been walking around the building talking to people," Shinn said. "People are telling me they're happy we're back and here to stay. It's all been very positive.
"But it's a business. (NBA commissioner) Mr. (David) Stern understands that. He isn't too happy when he doesn't see people in the seats."
Duncan among All-Star leaders: Tim Duncan ranks second among Western Conference forwards in balloting for the NBA All-Star Game.
The league released its first returns Thursday and Duncan has 423,228 votes, second to Minnesota's Kevin Garnett (453,536). Dallas' Dirk Nowitzki is third with 405,613.
The Los Angeles Lakers' Kobe Bryant (720,365) and Houston's Tracy McGrady (668,130) are first and second among West guards. The Spurs' Manu Ginobili (125,076) and Tony Parker (118,417) are sixth and seventh, respectively.
Houston center Yao Ming leads all West players with 836,392.
The Eastern Conference leaders are: guards Allen Iverson (595,200) and Dwyane Wade (586,679); forwards LeBron James (808,570) and Chris Bosh (304,624) and center Shaquille O'Neal (522,815).
Paper balloting continues through Jan. 15. Online votes can be cast at NBA.com through Jan. 21.
The All-Star starters will be announced Jan. 25. The reserves will be selected by the league's coaches and revealed on Feb. 1.
Horry rests: Robert Horry spent Thursday's game on the inactive list, as expected.
Spurs coach Gregg Popovich wants to rest Horry on the second night of back-to-backs. He held Horry out of Monday's victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.
"The competitive part of you wants to play," Horry said. "But you can understand (Popovich's) logic."
Jackie Butler took Horry's spot on the active roster.
Home sweet home: While the Spurs were forced to fly into New Orleans on Thursday, Popovich and some of the players liked the change.
They would prefer to make some of the shorter trips on the morning of a back-to-back game, but the league makes teams arrive in the town they're visiting the previous night.
"That's some good rest you get when you sleep in your own bed," Horry said.