Courtesy of New Orleans Hornets

Fourth-year Honeybees member Martine is a rarity in the NBA, having performed in two different cities for the same dance team. The Louisiana native debuted with the Honeybees during the '05-06 season, when the Hornets were temporarily based in Oklahoma City. Now, the Hornets are back full-time in New Orleans, where they've emerged as one of the League's up-and-coming teams.

HOOP: The basketball team is the Hornets, yet the dance team is called the Honeybees. What gives?
Martine: For starters, the Honeybees are sweet as honey. On game nights, our arena becomes the Hive. Our Hornets defend the colony when visiting teams pose a threat and we produce the honey to sweeten the Hive. It's a perfect combination!

HOOP: Chris Paul is one of your favorite players; who's the Chris Paul of the Honeybees?
Martine: I am, of course! No, I'm just kidding. Together as a team we can dominate the court like Chris Paul. The Honeybees are all smart, beautiful and phenomenally talented. Every fan has his favorite, so I'm sure each one of us is someone's Chris Paul.

HOOP: Is it better or worse for you to come out to entertain the crowd when the game is close or when there is a blowout?
Martine: It is definitely better to entertain the crowd when the game is closeÑas long as we come out on the winning end of it. I can feel the energy and intensity in every fan when the game is a nail-biter. The arena got so loud last year during the playoffs that chills ran through my body. Our fans have so much heart, and their energy and support is overwhelming.

HOOP: What other NBA dance team rivals the Honeybees?
Martine: This is a hard one because I think as a team we believe that we are the best. We work hard to keep up with every aspect of our job so we can stay on top. We believe in each other and ourselves, and to me, that's what makes our team so special. But there are so many incredible NBA dance teams. We look to the Miami Heat dancers because they always raise the bar. They are all beautiful and talented and those girls can move!

HOOP: What's the best way to evaluate a player? Points/rebounds/assists? PER? Or plus/minus?
Martine: I don't think it is one item that makes one the best player. I think it's a combination of all the above. I think heart and dedication are also a key component in evaluating a player.