Longtime (since the 1st day) Saints fan and a casual follower of the Hornets until about a year ago. Once Tom Benson bought the team my interest was raised, but when the Hornets won the Lottery last May I was all in. (Glad there was still room on the bandwagon). Having never played organized BB, I really didn't know that much about it, except that I had a lot to learn, especially the salary cap and such. I've lurked on this site for the last year, listened to all the Podcasts, and generally tried to educate myself about the NBA game. Even made the trip from Youngsville a couple of times to see a game (Thanks 42!:thumbup:). Saw an early season loss to OKC and a mid-February win vs. the Kings.
I won't bore y'all with my thoughts on every topic, but I did read just about every thread for the last year and I'll say this: don't expect any team that has Mickey Loomis in the front office to bring a knucklehead into the locker room. Since Sean Payton arrived in NOLA, Loomis has learned the value of a strong locker room. I really don't think ML will say sign or don't sign such and such a player, but he will strongly suggest to Dell and Monty to stay away from that type of player. DeMarcus Cousins comes to mind, as talented as he is I just don't see them bringing him into a young impressionable locker room. Now, in 4 or 5 years when Cousins (or anyone else like him) has a little more maturity I could see them doing it. JMO as a close observer of ML for a long time.
On at least two different occasions I heard Dell say that they would build the team for the long term and not go for the quick fix. In fact, I think a regular poster has something along those lines in his sig. Despite his age, Tom Benson is patient if nothing else. While I don't expect Demps to follow the OKC blueprint to the letter, I don't expect him to screw up the long-term prospects of the team either.
As far as the next few months are concerned, I think (hope) they use the draft pick instead of trading it. The rookie-scale contracts are more valuable than ever with the new CBA, or so they say. If they luck out again and get the top pick, I'd personally like to see them trade it to another team in the top six and gain more assets as well as a potential vital piece to a Championship team.
I know a lot of people won't agree with me (that's okay) but I'd like to see them get either Porter or Oladipo with our pick. Personally, I think Oladipo will turn out to be the best player from this draft in 3 or 4 years. Match his athleticism with his unreal work-ethic and all-out effort is a hard combination to beat. JMO
Oh, one more thing. Pelicans wouldn't have been my choice as the new re-brand, but what you gonna do? I'm down with that too. I look forward to the exciting future of this team and here's to bringing home an NBA Championship to New Orleans!
Other First Post along with various and sundry observations
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05-05-2013, 08:53 AMTomddaOther First Post along with various and sundry observations
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05-05-2013, 10:38 AMiNolaNightmare
Welcome to the board! Really cool story and great insight. I think that Dell Demps quote in the sig that you spoke of may just be my sig!
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05-05-2013, 10:45 AMOgden Park
Posts like this should be VERY encouraging to us die hards.
I'd like to think (or hope) you represent a growing and significant number of other locals with similar attitudes towards the franchise. This is further evidence of the importance and impact of Benson, the rebrand and a proactive, intelligent approach to making a professional franchise work in ANY market.
I've argued time and time again to New Orleans basketball haters that an NBA franchise has no business not being successful in any market if it is run properly. You sir are just more evidence to support this point. I do not live in LA anymore and cannot support the team as I would like, so it is not lost on me how important the growth of formerly fringe fans like you are. So...thanks.
Oh and for what its worth Oladipo is my pick too. -
05-05-2013, 02:07 PM42
Yo.
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05-05-2013, 02:19 PMHornetGuru
good post, i also want porter or oladipo
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05-05-2013, 02:48 PMnolaslim213
Get out of here you bandwagon fan!!!
Just playing man ;) Welcome to the board. -
05-05-2013, 06:57 PMTomdda(In my best British accent) By Jove! I think you may be right.Quote:
Originally Posted by iNolaNightmare
I made my original post while sitting at a heliport in Cameron, LA waiting to get on a helicopter going out to High Island 443. Its taken a while to get out here, get settled and such, that's why it's taken so long to reply. -
05-05-2013, 07:10 PMTomddaI don't think there is any doubt that the Pels' fan base will continue to grow in the coming years. It may not happen as fast as the Diehards would like for it to, but IMO, it will happen. It'll be just like Benson said, it'll be from the regional Gulf Coast area and not just the GNO area. I know, bold prediction, right?Quote:
Originally Posted by Ogden Park
Working on 24-hour call in the oilfield like I do, it'll be very difficult to make games on a regular basis. But I'm strongly considering getting a smaller season ticket package to ensure I have a seat when the Championship run eventually gets here. -
05-05-2013, 07:29 PMiNolaNightmare
I think, maybe just maybe, with the right explosion, we could be the next OKC. I dunno how I'd feel about that. I loathe bandwaggoners and that team surely has a lot of them.