Meet Hornets Players at Upcoming Events
October 12, 2007There are two great opportunities to meet and greet your favorite Hornets players coming up this month.
Sunday’s Hornets Open Practice, which is being held from noon to 1 p.m. this Sunday, Oct. 14 at the Alario Center, is free to the public and will include player introductions, appearances by Hugo and the Honeybees, as well as autographed item giveaways. Fans will be given the opportunity to submit questions to players and coaches. If you get a chance, ask Morris Peterson why he’s less accurate from halfcourt than Hornets.com’s beat writer.
And an aggressive grassroots schedule of appearances in the month of October culminates on Monday, Oct. 29, when the team hosts “Hornets Swarm at the Square.” Just two days before the Oct. 31 opener vs. Sacramento, the team will host a downtown luncheon at Lafayette Square from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Each of the team’s players will be in attendance at the lunchtime pep rally and free food and drinks will be served.
The reaction from fans to the team’s new “Fleur de Bee” patch has been overwhelmingly positive. The patch has been incorporated into each of the club’s three jerseys, including the teal and gold road jerseys. Check out a selection of Hornets caps and T-shirts for men and women featuring the Fleur de Bee patch.
Honeybees manager/choreographer Ashley Deaton spent part of her Friday at a local Senior Olympics event, getting the word out about the Hornets’ senior dance team, which will debut in 2007-08. If you know someone age 55 or older who can still tear it up on the dance floor, tell them to attend the team’s auditions at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20 at New Orleans Arena.
One of the significant improvements we’ll be making on Hornets.com in 2007-08 is the usage of considerably more photo galleries on the site than in past seasons. We’re in the final stages of completing and uploading several galleries, so make sure to look for more team-related photos on Hornets.com soon.
September 19, 2007
As we inch closer to the opening of preseason and Opening Night, a handful of off-the-court Hornets notes:
Here is what some of the Hornets’ other players have said recently about the Hornets’ role in helping revitalize the city of New Orleans:
Melvin Ely
“Anything I need to do for this community, whether it is community service or visiting schools, I’d love to do that. They wanted us back, and we’re happy to be back. Now it’s time for us to do whatever we can to help.”
Adam Haluska
“The city is really going to embrace this team, just like the Saints. With the team coming back to New Orleans, it will be exciting. I am looking forward to helping throughout the process of trying to get the city back to where it once was.”
Jannero Pargo
“It’s a great opportunity to get out in the community and help out with the (rebuilding of) houses, and also spending time with children. Hopefully I can help on the court as well as off the court, and be a good role model.”
Morris Peterson
“There are a lot of things you can do, but I think the biggest thing you can give a kid is your time. I came from the inner city, so I want to let them know that they are no different from me. The one thing I did was I listened and I pursued my dream. That’s what I try to instill in kids. That’s the most important thing you can do for a kid, is give them time and advice. I love doing that. The organization is already involved in a lot of things to help rebuild the city, and that’s something that I really want to be involved in.”
Julian Wright
“I was happy to see what the Saints and Hornets have done as sports teams in the city. That’s something I’ve always tried to do, to be a good citizen, and leave a place better than it was compared to when I came there. Hurricane Katrina was definitely something that impacted Americans as a whole. I look forward to contributing in a positive way to New Orleans.”
August 21, 2007
Hugo the Hornet, who was played by Michael Zerrillo through the 2006-07 NBA season, is headed on a promotional tour for the Mascot Hall of Fame in late August.
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Even though Zerrillo has hung up his oversized sneakers, retiring at the end of last season, he recently received one of the top honors of his career, when Hugo the Hornet was included on the Mascot Hall of Fame ballot. The mascot hall, which opened in 2005, received nominations earlier this year. The 2007 professional division ballot includes Hugo, The Coyote (San Antonio Spurs), Mr. Met (New York Mets), The Mariner Moose (Seattle Mariners), The Oriole Bird (Baltimore Orioles) and Youppi (Montreal Canadiens, Montreal Expos).
“It’s an honor to have your body of work and past accomplishments recognized,” Zerrillo said. “Regardless of the outcome of the balloting, I’m thrilled to be mentioned with some of the most well-known sports mascots.” Zerrillo will remain in a consultant role in the Hornets organization, as a mentor for his successor. The new Hugo the Hornet was hired earlier this summer and recently began working for the team on a full-time basis.
“I’m excited that the Hornets thought that I should continue to be involved during the transition period to a new person taking over the role of Hugo the Hornet,” Zerrillo said. Zerrillo also will remain busy throughout the summer during a promotional mini-tour for the Mascot Hall of Fame. He’ll be in costume as Hugo and join the other Mascot Hall of Fame candidates during an appearance on CBS’ “Today Show” later this month. On Aug. 27, the mascots will perform during a Philadelphia Phillies-New York Mets game at Shea Stadium. The following day, they’ll travel to ESPN’s studios in Bristol, Conn., and appear on the cable network’s show “Cold Pizza.” …
The Hornets’ TV production crew recently handled one of the most “arduous” tasks of the offseason: Spending three evenings filming and editing video footage of the 24 members of the 2007-08 Honeybees. Watch for the ever-popular video Honeybees Spotlights on all of the Honeybees to appear on Hornets.com throughout the season…
It’s not every day that you leaf through a national sports magazine and see a three-page feature story on someone you work with. But that’s what happened recently when I saw a copy of the Aug. 13 edition of ESPN: The Magazine. Starting on page 82 of the issue, there is a profile of Michael Thompson, the Hornets’ director of corporate communications.
ESPN writer Eddie Matz provided an interesting behind-the-scenes look at what a day in the life of Thompson is really like. The article chronicles Thompson’s 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. workday on the day of the 2007 NBA Draft.
We held our annual auditions for the Stingers youth hip-hop dance team on Aug. 5 at New Orleans Arena, with Honeybees manager/choreographer Ashley Deaton selecting 24 new members of the squad. The Stingers perform during weekend Hornets home games throughout the NBA season. …
We’re pleased to welcome new Website Services Manager Matthew Rose to the Hornets.com family. Rose, who previously worked on the official website of the Orlando Magic and did extensive work in creating Orlando’s eye-catching dance team, draft and summer league sections, started working for us on Aug. 6. You may have already noticed some of the improvements Matt has made on Hornets.com. Expect more changes to come on Hornets.com soon.
July 24, 2007
Former Honeybees dance team member Dawn Richard of Danity Kane thrilled the audience at Generations Hall by performing several songs.
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On Sunday, I was among about 400 people who attended the final round of Honeybees auditions at Generations Hall in New Orleans. The 2007-08 Honeybees roster was unveiled, consisting of 24 members. Hornets.com is planning to post a handful of photo galleries from Sunday’s festivities, and we hope to have a new Honeybees homepage up on the website very soon.
In the meantime, a few notes on the 2007-08 Honeybees and Sunday’s event:
- • Due to the overlapping NBA and NFL seasons, women in New Orleans must choose between participating on either the Honeybees or the Saintsations. The 2007-08 Honeybees actually have seven members with previous experience on the New Orleans Saints’ cheerleading squad, including Angelle M., who has been a member of the Honeybees for the last two seasons. One of the first-time Honeybees, Stacey, was a Saintsation for three years while she attended college. In 2006, the LSU graduate was featured by FHM magazine
- • Of the 24 members of the current squad, 11 have participated with the Honeybees in previous seasons. Among those who were on the 2006-07 squad, Martine, Trista, Donna, Adrienne P., Shannon, Adrienne C. and Angelle are returning to the Honeybees this season.
- • Former Honeybee Dawn Richard, now a member of the international pop group Danity Kane, performed during a break in Sunday’s Honeybees finals and thrilled the audience by singing her group’s hit song “Show Stopper.”
- • Special thanks go out to the celebrity judges who helped handle the arduous task of selecting the final roster, including Gus Kattengell (WWL radio), Wild Wayne (Q93 radio), Trapper John (KKND 106.7) and Neil Wilson (DIVA 92.3).
July 20, 2007
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For anyone who remembers legendary NBA guard Clyde Drexler from his playing days, it came as no surprise to learn earlier this week that one of Drexler’s favorite contemporary players is Chris Paul. Drexler is an avid CP3 fan partly due to the 6-foot point guard’s basketball talent, but “Clyde the Glide” raves just as much about the two-year Hornet’s off-the-court qualities. Drexler described Paul during Tuesday’s 2008 All-Star logo ceremony as “all class.”
The 10-time All-Star also touched on the upcoming All-Star Game and the Hornets’ full-time return to New Orleans, saying he was pleased to see the team serve a significant role in the revitalization of his birthplace (Drexler moved with his mother to Houston as a toddler).
“Events like (the All-Star Game) are extremely important to New Orleans,” Drexler said. “Number one, from an economic standpoint. Two, to show that the city is recovering and that people are investing time and energy into (hosting) events here. That’s huge. This city is known for its tourism, so to have an event of this magnitude only helps.
“(Scheduling the game in New Orleans) shows the kind of character that the NBA has. (The league) could have easily put the All-Star Game in another city. But they’re doing a lot of things to help this city recover, and I’m glad to be a part of that.
“I think the players are excited to come to New Orleans and it will be a pleasant experience. I think this city needed a boost and it couldn’t have come at a better time.”
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Opinion so far on the official 2008 All-Star logo has been overwhelmingly positive. I love how the combination of gold horns, lace ironwork and fleur-de-lis gives a nod to some of the unique aspects of the city of New Orleans.
One thing many fans don’t realize about All-Star Weekend is that the NBA and league employees organize and operate many of the events, including the All-Star Game itself. The role of host teams like the Houston Rockets in 2005 has been small, relatively speaking. The NBA also controls a large percentage of tickets distributed.
The New Orleans Hornets franchise was not involved in the process of coming up with the All-Star logo, but the NBA’s design team deserves a pat on the back for their creation. As you can see here the NBA often tries to incorporate local flavor from the host city into its All-Star Game logos, but the New Orleans-themed emblem seems like a particularly inspired effort. A job well done.
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Congratulations to Chris Paul are in order. The two-year Hornets guard will appear on the cover of the video game NBA 2K8, the top-rated NBA simulation game series. NBA 2K8 will be available on Xbox 360 and PlayStation.
“It’s a great honor to be a part of the best NBA video game title, let alone the guy on the cover,” Paul said. “I’m a big-time video gamer and it’s a dream come true to be on the cover and represent the next NBA 2K game.”
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Veteran pro basketball writer Alexander Woolf visited New Orleans this week to interview members of the Hornets organization, for a Sports Illustrated feature that will appear in the magazine this fall. SI is planning to publish a piece that discusses the two-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina and the impact the storm has had on sports in New Orleans.
In addition to his career as a writer, Woolf is the owner of the American Basketball Association’s Vermont Frost Heaves. During his interviews, Woolf joked that he was hoping to pick up a few pointers from the Hornets that he may be able to apply to operating his ABA franchise.
July 16, 2007
Even though Shannon has been a part of the Honeybees for two years, in a way, she still doesn’t quite feel like a full-fledged member of the NBA dance-team fraternity. Shannon, a native of Chalmette, made the Honeybees roster in her first attempt in the summer of 2005, shortly before Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf South region and forced the Hornets to evacuate from New Orleans. As a result, she has yet to experience a full slate of 41 home games, instead performing at three New Orleans Arena games in 2005-06 and six more last season.
Honeybee Shannon
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“It’s great to have the team back full-time,” said Shannon, one of 140 women on hand at Sunday’s first round of Honeybees tryouts. “This year will be a blessing for me. I got the experience of what it’s like to be on an NBA dance team, but next season is going to be a lot different.
“I think the Hornets are going to have a great economic impact on the city,” said the University of New Orleans student. “They’ve already helped out in terms of rebuilding homes and doing a lot of things in the community, so it’s going to help the city. I think Hornets games are going to be a great thing to do for all of the workers who are in New Orleans right now, but aren’t from here.”
Of the 10 Honeybees who performed during the six Hornets games held in New Orleans throughout the 2006-07 season, seven tried out Sunday. All seven Honeybees veterans advanced to the finals, which will be held at Generations Hall from 5 to 8 p.m. and include 44 candidates. All fans are invited to attend. The team will reveal its official 2007-08 roster at the event, consisting of roughly 20 members.
Honeybee Donna
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Like Shannon, Honeybees members Donna and Angelle also made the roster for the first time in 2005-06 and are looking forward to their initial 41-game New Orleans home schedule.
“I think it will bring a lot of morale back to the city,” Donna described. “Especially after the hurricane, New Orleans needs something to look forward to. Last year, we had the Saints, but it’s great to have both teams back full-time. It’s going to bring many people to the city and a lot of money into the city.”
“The whole city is excited,” Angelle said. “Our team is back full-time. Playing a full schedule is going to be a lot more exciting than playing six games. We’re ready to support them and welcome the Hornets back.”
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Honeybee Angelle
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From a basketball standpoint, Hornets second-year big man Hilton Armstrong is the epitome of a late bloomer. As a youngster, Armstrong actually preferred baseball to hoops, but a growth spurt late in his high school career helped lead him to the basketball floor.
“I didn’t start taking basketball seriously until I was a junior in high school,” said Armstrong, who spoke Monday at the opening day of 2007 Hornets Summer Hoops. The event was held inside New Orleans’ Sarah T. Reed High’s gymnasium, which was recently refurbished by the Hornets. “I was about 6 foot tall then, before I really started growing.
“I try to tell kids that as long as they keep working hard, anything is possible.”
Armstrong also stressed the importance of education to children. The 7-footer plans to complete his degree in political science by the summer of 2008.
On Tuesday, Armstrong attended the NBA 2008 All-Star logo unveiling ceremony at Tulane University’s Reily Center. Also in attendance was Basketball Hall of Famer Clyde Drexler. Drexler, who was born in New Orleans, explained to Hornets.com why he is excited about the upcoming All-Star Game and the Hornets’ full-time return to Louisiana. Check back to Hornets.com for more on Drexler’s thoughts.
July 12, 2007
Hilton Armstrong is flying directly from Las Vegas to New Orleans for opening day of Hornets Summer Hoops.
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While many of his teammates are heading back to their homes following the completion of NBA Summer League play on Sunday, the fun will just be starting for Hilton Armstrong. The second-year Hornets big man will be a passenger on a redeye flight from Las Vegas to New Orleans on Sunday night, allowing him to serve as a special guest Monday during the opening day of the 2007 Hornets Summer Hoops program.
On July 16, the youth basketball summer clinics begin at Sarah T. Reed High in New Orleans East. Armstrong will attend that session, as well as ones all week through July 20. The Tuesday and Wednesday clinics are being held in New Orleans and Pass Christian, Miss., but both are full. On Thursday, Armstrong will appear at John Ehret High in Marrero, La., followed by a stop Friday at Chalmette High in Chalmette, La.
Armstrong’s fellow 2006 first-round pick, Cedric Simmons, will serve as the special Hornets invited guest for Summer Hoops clinics taking place the following week, July 23-26. The program closes the week of July 30-Aug. 3, with another Hornets player attending (player to be announced soon).
If you’re interested in registering your child for Hornets Summer Hoops, click on the Hornets Summer Hoops logo on the right panel of Hornets.com. After you click on the logo, a PDF form will appear on your screen that lists details and information for the camps. Instructions on how to submit the form are included.
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Hornets second-round pick Adam Haluska is in the midst of quite a month. On June 28, the Iowa product was ecstatic to be selected by New Orleans as the No. 43 overall pick in the 2007 NBA Draft. This week, he’s in Las Vegas as a member of the Hornets’ summer league team.
Neither of those developments are as big in the Haluska family as what will take place on July 21, however: the 23-year-old is marrying his longtime sweetheart, Kendra Bengtson, after proposing to her on Valentine’s Day. Haluska and Bengtson are a unique story, in that they met in fifth grade in Carroll, Iowa. They both initially attended Iowa State, before Haluska decided to transfer to the University of Iowa. Bengtson also transferred, to remain close to Haluska.
July 5, 2007
Jeff Bower
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To New Orleans general manager Jeff Bower, the 2007-08 NBA season isn’t only about winning games and the Hornets’ bid to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2004. It’s also about re-connecting to the city that hosted the Hornets full-time from 2002-05, prior to Hurricane Katrina.
By now, everyone is familiar with the incredible success of the 2006 New Orleans Saints, who galvanized the region by capturing a division title and reaching the NFC Championship Game for the first time in franchise history. The Saints had been based in San Antonio during the 2005 NFL season.
While the Hornets’ short-term goals are more modest and an appearance in the 2008 Western Conference Finals qualifies as a longshot, they’d love to generate a second story about the successful return of professional sports to New Orleans.
Bower spoke eloquently about the team’s unique situation to the media and Hornets season ticket-holders recently.
“We have the opportunity to do something no other NBA team has ever done,” Bower explained. “To move an entire franchise to another city, then come back home (to New Orleans). That’s something we’ve thought about. Imagine the possibilities. Imagine what it would be like to have a full stadium here.
“If we grow together as a team, the possibilities that exist for all of us (are significant). That’s an opportunity all of our players have, that go beyond what anyone else in the league has. Our players are very serious about their role in how they can help the area. By being a basketball player, and giving the people something to believe in and something to look forward to coming to. And that’s (in addition to) all of their efforts that will take place OFF the floor.
“We’ve got a great group of guys on this team. It’s a group that understands that they’re a part of something that’s not just about them. It’s something even bigger, whether that’s their role on a basketball team or in the community. I salute them for that. They’re a great group of men.”
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New Orleans, we think you’re going to like the Hornets’ first-round pick – no matter what he does between the lines during the 2007-08 NBA season.
Minutes after being drafted, Julian Wright already began discussing how important it was for him to try to make an impact off the floor in New Orleans. “(Something) I’ve always tried to do, (is) to be a good citizen, and leave a place better than it was compared to when I came there,” Wright told Hornets.com as the 2007 NBA Draft’s first round was nearing its conclusion June 28. “Hurricane Katrina was definitely something that impacted Americans as a whole. I look forward to contributing in a positive way to New Orleans.”
During his first visit to the city of New Orleans for his introductory press conference June 29, Wright approached members of the organization, looking for ideas on ways he can devote time to community efforts in the Big Easy.
July 3, 2007
Hornets fan Manuel Llorens of New Orleans enjoys watching the trio of Tyson Chandler (second from left), Chris Paul and David West.
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Hornets fans can submit their opinions on the Hornets and how the team fared in the 2007 NBA Draft by sending an e-mail to jime@hornets.com.
Here is Hornets fan Diego Javier Arguello’s take on New Orleans’ draft:
“I think that Julian Wright is the best selection that we could make, and Adam Haluska is good too. I still think we shouldn’t have passed on Marc Gasol (No. 48 pick to the Lakers), but I realize that we needed a shooting guard and small forward. I think the biggest sleepers on draft night are Rudy Fernandez, Morris Almond, Tiago Splitter, Marcus Williams, Derrick Byars and Gasol.”
Hornets.com chatted with fans who attended Thursday’s draft party to get their opinions on the franchise’s full-time return to New Orleans and the Hornets’ outlook for 2007-08:
Rockie Audrict of New Orleans
“I grew up when they had the Jazz here, playing in the Superdome. I was a fan of Pistol Pete (Maravich) and Truck Robinson. I shook Pistol Pete’s hand one game.
“I think the West is very competitive, but I like how the Hornets have a lot of talented youth. If they can overcome their injuries, I think they’ve got a good chance of making the playoffs. They should have made it the last two years, but injuries hurt them down the stretch. They also have a very good coach in Byron Scott.”
David Davis of New Orleans
“It’s great for the city for the Hornets to be back. Hopefully they’ll have a great season, which they should. If they can just minimize their injuries and get everyone healthy, they’re going to be a very good team. The Hornets can beat any (elite) team on any given day. That’s why I love seeing the Hornets. They’re exciting to watch.”
Manuel Llorens of New Orleans
“I’ve been a season-ticket holder since they came to New Orleans. I had a six-game package last year and have followed them on television the last couple years. I like watching Chris Paul, Tyson Chandler and David West. I think if we were healthy last year, we would have been in the playoffs.”
Jimmy Mastio of New Orleans
“It’s really good for the Hornets to be back. We didn’t know if the city could support two teams, but I am glad the Hornets made the choice to come back. We are looking for more things to do (on weeknights) sports-wise in New Orleans, but the Saints are just a Sunday thing. Basketball is more of a family-oriented game, whereas football is more men going to games with their sons.
“I love watching Chris Paul. Not only is he a great player, but he’s also a man of integrity and a good guy.”
Steve Ruiz of New Orleans
“Every (Hornets) fan says their favorite player is Chris Paul, but mine is Tyson Chandler. I was really not enthusiastic about bringing him in last year, but man, he did well. I noticed that (ESPN.com columnist) Bill Simmons said something about us drafting (University of Washington center) Spencer Hawes, but I thought that was crazy. Tyson Chandler is everything we could possibly want in an NBA center.”
Donny Terrio of Garyville
“I think Peja Stojakovic is the key to the Hornets winning more games next season. He’s a big part of it. I think he can help them win 10 more games next season (than they did in 2006-07), or maybe even more than that.”
Willie Varnado of New Orleans
“I’m excited about the team coming back. Hopefully they can be a success this year and make the playoffs. My favorite player is David West, partly because he comes over to the gym [where Varnado works] at Elmwood Fitness Center in Clearview, and I see him all the time. He’s a great player.”
Random Notes
… With Honeybees auditions scheduled for Sunday, July 15 at New Orleans Arena, the Hornets’ dance team is hosting three separate “Honeybee Auditions 411” sessions next week in the region. Women interested in trying out for the Honeybees and seeking more information about the process should attend one of these free sessions:
Monday, July 9
Lakeside Mall (Center Court), Metairie
6-7 p.m.
Tuesday, July 10
Fox and Hound, Baton Rouge
6-7 p.m.
Wednesday, July 11
Southland Mall (Center Court), Houma
6-7 p.m.
… Parents interested in signing up their children for the Hornets Summer Hoops program should register soon via Hornets.com. This year’s schedule begins Monday, July 16 at Sarah T. Reed High in New Orleans. There are openings at all but two sessions on the Summer Hoops schedule. Camps are also being held in Marrero, Chalmette, Thibodaux, Hammond, Baton Rouge, Mandeville and Metairie. A Hornets player is expected to attend each of the sessions, with exact dates for those appearances to be determined soon.
To sign up, click on the Hornets Summer Hoops logo located on the right panel of Hornets.com and follow the instructions to mail or fax a registration form.
June 30, 2007
Julian Wright was expected by many draft analysts to be picked earlier in the first round, but the Kansas product is pleased to come to a Hornets team that contended for a playoff berth in the rugged Western Conference.
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The Hornets were thrilled Thursday when Kansas forward Julian Wright, rated by New Orleans as the No. 6 prospect in the entire NBA Draft, was still available with the No. 13 overall pick.
The news from New Orleans Arena on Thursday was just as exciting for the franchise. The Hornets’ Thursday draft night get-together for fans raised $1,743 to the Second Harvest Food Bank of New Orleans. In addition, a total of 1,190 cans of food were also donated at entrances of the New Orleans Arena. Fans gained admission to the party by making a $5 donation to the food bank, or by bringing five cans of food.
Second Harvest reports that as a result of the draft-party proceeds and canned goods, over 7,900 meals will be provided for people in need.
Other notes from the draft party:
- I spoke to Julian Wright and Adam Haluska in phone interviews shortly after they were drafted by the Hornets. My first impression? Both of the Hornets’ draft picks seem personable and appear to handle themselves well when dealing with the media. I spoke briefly with Wright about the talk that his outside shot needs a lot of work, and explained to him that Byron Scott likes to take on players in shooting games such as H-O-R-S-E during practices. I asked Wright if he thought he was up to the challenge of taking on his head coach. “My shot is something that I’ve been working on and I will be putting in a lot more work,” Wright responded, good-naturedly. “If I go against Coach Scott, I plan to talk a little healthy trash, and hopefully I will be able to accomplish (beating Scott in H-O-R-S-E).”
Meanwhile, Haluska seemed elated about being drafted, and understandably so. It appears his workout for the team on June 25 helped sway the Hornets’ opinion of the Iowa product. “We went into (the draft) thinking we weren’t getting drafted,” Haluska told the Des Moines Register. “I worked out for New Orleans on Monday. That was my last workout, and I thought things went pretty well, but to be picked No. 43?
“Wow.”
In part because he was trying not to get his hopes up, Haluska elected not to watch much of the draft telecast. He flipped on his TV late Thursday night and minutes later saw on ESPN’s broadcast that he’d been picked by the Hornets.
- Prior to Thursday’s NBA Draft, Chris Paul joked that if it were up to him, New Orleans would pass on making a first-round selection. When asked by Hornets PA announcer Michael Thompson what Paul thought the Hornets needed in the draft, Paul half-jokingly responded: “I don’t think we need anything. I think when our turn to pick comes up, we should just walk up there and say, ‘We’re fine as we are.’
“But we are obligated to pick somebody, so I think we should take a young, athletic wing, a guy who can come in off the bench and complement a guy like Peja. An exciting guy who can come in and give us a little more fire and intensity.”
Was CP3 hinting at Julian Wright, perhaps?
Paul told fans that he is in the process of putting the finishing touches on his new home, which is located in downtown.
“I’m very excited,” the 6-foot guard said of coming to New Orleans. “My family and I have been back and forth trying to figure out where I was going to live. Now I just have to find some furniture.”
“I’m going to be living right here in downtown New Orleans,” Paul continued, drawing an ovation from fans at the draft party. “I need to be where the action is going on.”
The 21-year-old was asked a handful of other questions by Thompson. Here were Paul’s responses:
On what Paul’s first purchase was after he was drafted in 2005: “A car. I got tired of riding around with my mommy and daddy!”
On his advice to the players who were drafted Thursday night: “I would be telling those guys to not let (their work ethic) stop tonight with the draft. There are some guys for who the NBA Draft is the highlight of their career. They just keep remembering the night they got drafted and become complacent. But when you get drafted, that’s when the real hard work begins. Now you have to work harder than you ever did before.”
On how fortunate he is to be an NBA player: “I’m still living a dream. I still have days where I wake up and I can’t believe I get to play basketball every day for a living. I’m truly blessed and I never take that granted.”
- Hornets.com spoke with Hornets fans at the draft party to ask their opinions on the team’s full-time return to New Orleans and the club’s on-court outlook for 2007-08. Check Hornets.com this week to read their responses.
June 15, 2007
The New Orleans Honeybees pose for a team picture after the final round of auditions in 2004-05, the most recent full season the Hornets played in the Big Easy.
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With the countdown to Honeybees auditions at 30 days (the first round of tryouts takes place Sunday, July 15 at New Orleans Arena, let’s find out more about the annual event from Honeybees manager and choreographer, Ashley Deaton.
On the first day of auditions, the field of candidates will be cut to approximately 40 to 50 finalists. During the weekend of July 21-22, the Hornets will hold the competition finals. Here are six things to know about Honeybees auditions (comments are from Deaton):
1) It’s not only about appearance…
“An ideal Honeybee is more than just a cute girl with rhythm. We look for well-rounded girls, because not only are they dancers and cheerleaders, they’re also athletes, models, role models for young girls, and spokeswomen for the organization. It is important that they represent the Hornets well on the court, in the public eye, and in the media.”
2) … but conditioning is critical.
“We’re looking for cute, energetic dancers who take care of their bodies and wear the costume well. Being outgoing and energetic is extremely important, but they must also be mature, responsible and very dedicated.”
3) If you make the team, you better love bee-ing a Honeybee…
“They need to be hard workers because our schedule is very demanding, with games, rehearsals, appearances and photo shoots. This job is so rewarding, but it doesn’t come easily. The girls work hard and truly deserve the praise and recognition that they receive. The NBA season is very long, but having a passion for dance and performing is motivation to keep enthusiasm high.”
4) … but Honeybees isn’t a full-time job.
Honeybees are paid per game plus compensation for practices and public appearances, but they don’t do it for the money.
“All of the girls on the team are full-time students or have full-time jobs. This isn’t their only means of income or the only thing they are involved in. They do it because they love it. It’s fun and rewarding, but it’s also very time-consuming. An average week will require the girls to dedicate about 3-4 nights to their duties as a Honeybee. But on a busy game week, it could be as many as six or even seven nights.”
5) If you’re shy, you may not want to apply…
“The way to stand out during tryouts is to have energy and be fun to watch. Don’t be shy. We always have a big variety of dance backgrounds on the team. I wouldn’t say that technical ability is the most important element on this type of team, but it definitely helps.
“The environment surrounding a Hornets game is high energy and fast-paced, and it’s the dancers’ job to reflect the same. At tryouts the judges take that into consideration. If you’re competing with 300 other girls and you don’t look like you’re having fun, you’re not going to stand out. Energy and showmanship are going to take you far.”
6) … but if you do, be ready for a few curves…
“During the last round, we interview the finalists individually. They come to the interview in business attire so that we can see how they carry themselves in a professional situation. We’ll ask general questions about things like future goals and dance training to help us get to know them a little better. We’ll also throw in a couple curveballs with hypothetical situations that they might encounter as a Honeybee to test their maturity and professionalism.”
June 6, 2007
If you asked a group of basketball fans to estimate the number of full-time workers an average NBA franchise employs, you'd likely hear a wide range of guesses. Personally, when I took this job roughly 18 months ago, I expected the Hornets to have about 50 to 75 full-time employees. I quickly realized that my initial projection was far from reality. The Hornets' organization actually has about 120 full-time workers; some NBA teams employ over 200 staff members.
Those considerably high numbers beg the question: Why does a team need that many workers?
Well, in addition to the people you're probably familiar with from watching games on television - players, coaches, broadcasters, trainers, scouts - there are several departments you may not realize even exist.
From sales and services to PR and IT, a professional basketball franchise employs a cross-section of people with different skills, training and backgrounds.
On Wednesday, June 13 at the New Orleans Arena, the Hornets will be looking for people to fill a variety of jobs within the organization.
Positions in sales, information technology, marketing, accounting and administration are open, and I think it's great the team is looking to hire locally - especially for the sales and marketing jobs. Locals know the market better than anyone, and the team's success in New Orleans is going to depend on local support more than ever before.
If you've ever thought about a career in sports, now is the time to update that resume and head over to the Arena on Wednesday.
Check out the positions available here.
June 4, 2007
The Hornets tipped off their first official game in New Orleans on Oct. 30, 2002, against the Utah Jazz. New Orleans defeated Utah by a 100-75 margin.
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Over the past two NBA seasons, the New Orleans Hornets franchise faced a situation that was unprecedented in professional sports. As a result of Hurricane Katrina, the Hornets were forced to relocate out of their home city and play games in another state, 725 miles northwest of New Orleans. We are now in the process of finalizing our return to Louisiana.
The reaction of our employees who have already moved to the Big Easy has been overwhelmingly positive (the remainder of our staff will be moving to Louisiana after draft workouts are completed in late June). The Hornets also have a dozen staff members who are particularly pleased about the franchise’s relocation to New Orleans for the 2007-08 season, because it means a return to their home state.
Hornets Director of Game Presentation Josh Richardson is among a group of 12 workers who are natives of Louisiana, were members of the organization prior to Hurricane Katrina, and opted to remain with the team throughout its two-season stay in Oklahoma City.
A native of Ponchatoula, La., Richardson and his wife Jessica, the Hornets’ director of strategic development, were married in the summer of 2005 and were about to move into a new house when Katrina devastated the Gulf Coast. The couple now anxiously awaits getting to move into their home for the first time, in Mandeville, La.
“We are excited about the Hornets moving back to New Orleans, and to be able to spend time with our friends and family,” Josh said. “We definitely miss the great food, local culture and variety of entertainment.”
Newspapers such as The Times-Picayune and The Oklahoman, as well as ESPN The Magazine, have published articles detailing the Hornets’ return to New Orleans. Here are a few facts on the move:
- Of the team’s roughly 110 full-time employees who worked in Oklahoma City, a total of 78 are relocating to New Orleans. There are an additional 10 staff members who’ve been working from the team’s downtown New Orleans offices for the past two seasons.
- Of the 78 relocating employees, half transitioned to Louisiana by mid-May. Approximately 30 more moved at the end of May, while 15 members of the Hornets’ basketball operations staff will depart for Louisiana at the end of June (the team is holding draft workouts at Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Okla.). Of the 78 employees, about 35 percent were hired by the Hornets after the team moved to Oklahoma City.
- The Hornets organization paid for all employees to visit New Orleans for four-day house-hunting trips on company time. The organization also is footing the bill for all moving expenses, as well as providing employees with a substantial stipend that staff members can use to pay rent, purchase furniture, etc.
- All Hornets players will return to New Orleans in October for media day and training camp (exact dates are to be determined).
To comment on the Big Easy Buzz blog, send an e-mail to jime@hornets.com.
June 1, 2007
With the retirement of Michael Zerrillo, a new person will be donning the costume of team mascot Hugo the Hornet for the first time since the 1980s.
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If there are two things I’ve learned in my two seasons with the Hornets, it’s that NBA franchises are much more than just basketball teams – and NBA games are about much more than basketball.
In addition to playing 82 games a year, the New Orleans Hornets participate in a wide range of activities off the court, including community events and charitable efforts. Along the same lines, many Hornets fans don’t go to home games solely for the basketball – entertainment also comes in the form of a dance team (the Honeybees), a mascot (Hugo the Hornet), a kids hip-hop dance team (the Stingers) and several other attractions.
To help provide Hornets fans with a centralized and efficient source of information on the team’s considerable amount of off-the-court news and events, Hornets.com is launching a new blog, called “Big Easy Buzz.” In this blog, we’ll provide an insider’s look at some of the wide array of non-basketball Hornets activities in New Orleans, everything from the ongoing relocation of the franchise, to the upcoming Honeybees auditions on July 15.
Fans can participate in the blog by sending an e-mail to jime@hornets.com. Visit Hornets.com in upcoming weeks for updates on the franchise’s return to New Orleans, as well as a special look at next month’s Honeybees tryouts.
Buzz Notes
The Hornets are hosting a select-a-seat event for season-ticket holders Monday through Wednesday at New Orleans Arena. An open house for the general public will take place on Thursday from 2 to 8 p.m. in which prospective season-ticket purchasers can choose from available seats that will be tagged throughout New Orleans Arena.
