Playoffs section launches; Fan Up photo gallery
Thursday, April 17, 2008
By: Jim Eichenhofer, Hornets.com
You've probably already noticed a new look to Hornets.com today, featuring the "Fan Up New Orleans" postseason theme that you'll see on billboards and ads all over the region this week. We just launched a special 2008 Hornets playoff section, complete with an overview of both teams, an updated Hornets video section, and a Fan Up news page.
Also visit Hornets.com's conventional homepage for postseason profiles on 10 different players, including All-Stars Chris Paul and David West, fellow starters Morris Peterson, Peja Stojakovic and Tyson Chandler, along with five key reserves.
I'm excited about the player blogs we'll have throughout the postseason from three of the most fun guys to talk to on the squad - Mo Pete, Jannero Pargo and Julian Wright. In Pargo's first blog entry, he had this to say about Saturday's Game 1 in the New Orleans Arena: "In terms of what to expect from our fans, I think its going to be bananas on Saturday. I think for something like the last 14 or 15 home games, its been sold out in the arena. The crowd has been really loud. I dont expect anything less from them. The playoffs are here. Its going to be even more intense, and even louder." Check back Friday for more from Pargo's blog.
By the way, we're also seeking pictures for a new Fan Up photo gallery. E-mail a picture of yourself, your kids - even your dog - wearing Hornets gear to webmaster@hornets.com for the chance to be featured on Hornets.com and in the GameTime program. We just announced this a little while ago on Hornets.com and have already received a bunch of photos. Please remember to identify the Hornets fans who appear in the picture(s) you submit to us, so that we can include everyone's name.
Hornets-Mavericks Game 1 is Saturday at 6 p.m.
The NBA just announced the schedule for the first round of the playoffs. No. 2 New Orleans will host No. 7 Dallas in Game 1 of the Western Conference quarterfinals at 6 p.m. Saturday. The game will be televised by ESPN. Game 2 in New Orleans also be a 6 p.m. local start, on Tuesday, but televised by TNT.
The series shifts to Dallas for Game 3 on Friday, April 25. Tip time in Dallas for that ESPN game will be 7 p.m. Game 4 is slated for Sunday, April 27, with TNT broadcasting at 8:30.
If necessary, Games 5 through 7 are scheduled for Tuesday, April 29 (in New Orleans), Thursday, May 1 (in Dallas) and Saturday, May 3 (in New Orleans). Times on those potential games are to be determined.
Go to NBA.com for more information on the NBA playoffs. We'll have more Thursday on Hornets.com, as the team begins preparations for its first postseason since 2004.
Blog question: What is your prediction for the first-round series vs. the Mavericks?