I agree . . . support the team not the owner. However I don't think Shinn allowed this to leak out, it doesn't seem like a smart PR move (even if he does want to be in OKC).Quote:
Originally Posted by pistol #7
Printable View
I agree . . . support the team not the owner. However I don't think Shinn allowed this to leak out, it doesn't seem like a smart PR move (even if he does want to be in OKC).Quote:
Originally Posted by pistol #7
Bear with me here, guys! As a Christian, the last thing I would ever want to be guilty of is defaming another man. That in itself is a sin! This much I will say:Quote:
Originally Posted by HORNETSFAN
Of all the things George Shinn does, his claims and professing of being a Christian while being blatant at times(the "WISHING it was two women chasing him" fiasco), and deceitful at other times, is just, well, not good. Now, I know we ALL have been guilty of these things in our lives at some point, so as not to throw any stones, but this, by no means, is any way to live! George SEEMS to revel in this way of LIVING. Only God the Father is the judge, so I'll leave that to HIM, but to say God is not pleased by this REPRESENTATION of HIMSELF is an understatement!
I believe if Shinn thinks he HAS to do these types of things to get ahead in the business world, then 1) he's failed to TRUST God, which is a lack of faith and 2) he needs to find another line of work, because it's corrupting his own character. But, that's just the half of it! Misleading people near and far in his influence is just as bad, MAYBE worse!
Thats exactly right. He's been using them and lying to them too! :wavey:Quote:
Originally Posted by rogerdorn1
it is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. wonder if George remembers that passage from Scripture. One truly sees a man's character when the chips are down. Imagine screwing over a city in which nearly 1500 people were killed from a storm just to make a few extra bucks. Anyway new orleans has hosted 9 Super bowls, 4 Final Fours , at least 10 college football games which decided a national championship,the No mas fight etc
Amen bandogo.
Adversity doesn't build character, it reveals it!
Well Charlotte did try to warn us. If I was OKC I would really have to think hard about wanting him in my town.
Shinn is the poorest owner in the NBA, it wouldn't surprise me on bit if he were behind project Bee Keeper. He doesn't want any part of NO, playing second fiddle to the Saints. This makes it hard to support an organization that wants no part of your city. :wavey: :wavey: :wavey:
this is getting freaking rediculous...i thought mott was at the top of the ******* totem pole..but i guess there are a few more rungs...keep the updates coming...btw, hh..i love the pic...i made some quick mods..
:wavey:
Shinn never did want to come to New Orleans to begin with. Woolridge was the one who wanted this team here and he convinced Shinn to come here. I believe Shinn's choice at the time was Norfolk,Va. From what he said at that meeting he has convinced me even more that he never wanted to touch New Orleans to begin with. What a Scum Bag CLT was right...
This is correct. I've said it time and time myself in phone conversations with other members. It's wrong for me to be judgmental of others. Magloire was one that I spoke of negatively and I apologized to one of our members. The bible clearly states it when talking about us not talking about a spec of dust in someone else's eye when we have a plank in our own.Quote:
Originally Posted by RENFO
HOWEVER, your 2nd paragraph is what I've been getting at and why I talk about "Man of faith" more often than simply "Christian". His lack of faith is obvious and is what has dissapointed me greatly from the time Katrina hit. When you are one of faith, you do things and make decisions without things like maximum financial gain as your guiding force.
You just never know how the spirit will guide you. You do the right thing instead of the wrong thing and great things will ensue. When you do the wrong thing, the dominoes start to fall.
Paul with a torn ACL?
No playoffs as a result?
Player scandal?
When the last domino falls, you wind up with less than originally thought. Tortoise and Hare at it's finest. NO as the tortoise and OKC as the Hare. Let's hope Shinn realizes this and turns things around.
Hi!!! :wavey:
Gotta give credit to the very talented CoCajun for photoshopping that for me! :wavey:Quote:
Originally Posted by BayouBaller23
All I can say is that we were warned by Charlotte fans of what type of person Shinn really was. I personally think he was drunk when he made his speech and the alcohol reveal his true feelings. Anyway,I like our situation. We've got a binding lease that basically means we have him by the *ALLS and he has to come back! It's the Benson fiasco all over again.
Hey Hornets execs.
Have fun working at Burger King in 2008.
:wavey:
I never knew anybody could make Benson look "good." For any Hornets execs looking, I plead you to do what is right. You don't just abandon a city that has been through hell and back...the people of NOLA will come.
That is so true...in a city that goes into a frenzy when a Jimmy Buffet Marraritaville Restaurant opens....now that's the bigtime.Quote:
Originally Posted by NYKF Hornet
Well said!Quote:
Originally Posted by Ry4598
This kind of thing can happen to anybody. Fans need to be assured that if their city is hit with a natural disaster of Katrina's size that their franchises will not pull out. It's important because people will not want to fund sports owner welfare or new stadiums and arenas, that is what the leagues are talking about when debate the PR angle of the Saints and Hornets.
Ugh...Quote:
Originally Posted by greenparrot
I hate Jimmy Buffett.
Most people do.Quote:
Originally Posted by Avatar
How about a Hard Rock Cafe or Planet Hollywood? Nothing says a city has reached an elite statis like a Hard Rock Cafe and Planet Hollywood. :hihi:
You mean likeQuote:
Originally Posted by NYKF Hornet
Hurricanes for Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Charlotte (Dolphins, Marlins, Panthers (hockey), Magic, Buccaneers, Devil Rays, Lightning, Bobcats, Hurricanes and Panthers (football)?
or
Earthquakes for Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, Anaheim, Oakland, San Jose and San Diego (Lakers, Clippers, Dodgers, Angels, Galaxy, Kings (hockey), Mighty Ducks, Kings (basketball), Padres, Chargers, Raiders, Warriors, 49ers, Giants (baseball), Chivas, Sharks and Athletics)?
or
Wildfires in Texas? Snowstorms in Colorado or New England? Terrorist attacks pretty much anywhere?
Gee, I wonder if, by prefacing their statements with all sorts of clauses, the NBA isn't really shooting itself in the foot by reminding folks that there's other things that they should be spending their money on?
Exactly Avatar.
Why do you think I posted that poll in the Nest about the Hornets and who would support them AS LONG AS THEY WERE IN NO. ;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Harvey Hornet
I hope everyone voted. The poll coincidentally closed just tonight. :cool:
Roger, I don't think they are that confused at all. Those in the org know what is going on. There is a struggle within. Those not high up are having to deal with it on a day-to-day basis and let it play out. From time to time, some of these people do something about it, and on both sides. (You people know who you are ;).) I think the confusion is more about their long-term plans. Is it with the org in OKC or NOLA? Is it with the org at all? The org has lots of problems, and whether the higher-ups realize it or not, they have people who are very unhappy with the situation.Quote:
Originally Posted by rogerdorn1
I heard a clip of this tonight via a Portland media site from a Portland radio station regarding the Blazers. All of a sudden, those people are saying the same thing. That the Blazers cannot just walk out on a binding lease because if they could, teams would just up and leave at any given whim!Quote:
Originally Posted by NYKF Hornet
Ya think? It's funny, no one really thinks about this until their *** is on the line.
I have a couple of more things I want to say about this.
First, it's ok to be angry and vent your frustrations, but I will tell you now, barring a major change in circumstances, none of this doo doo will change the fact that the team will return here full-time in 2007.
If you guys remember, some of us here have talked about how Shinn would probably prefer the ease of a move to OKC instead of dealing with New Orleans recovery, all things being equal. (Of course, all things are not equal, which is why they will be back.) It is not surprising to some of us that Shinn has this desire to get out of New Orleans and may be looking for some wiggle-room to see to it that he can escape.
Also, Shinn is not interested in selling his team. I want to make that clear. And it is clear that Stern is not going to reward Shinn with the OKC market given Shinn's history in CLT and how that relo went down. The existence of the valid lease in La. gives Stern cover to nix any possible move. So there was no chance of a move, at least before this story broke and future stories will certainly break. What we don't know is how the city will react. Will we react like we did with the Saints (how dare you screw with us, we support our team, not the owner), or will the fans want to kick the owner and the team out of here? I think it will be like the Saints, but only time will tell.
In the meantime, get ready for the ride. The Hornets spin machine will kick in.
I can't wait to see the way the Hornets spin all of this. I know they are franticly trying to keep the damage to a minimum. Shinn isn't making it easy for you guys huh? :wavey:
I agree WCH. I know the NBA and Hornets organization are focused on damage control right now. I wouldn't be surprised to see the '08 AS game OFFICIALLY rewarded very soon. They'll be looking for any possibly way they can promote someting positive while hoping to sweep the facts that are starting to come out under the rug. The fans and the press can't let them get away with it. Don't let them change the topic(s) folks. :wavey:
"Hornets announce new grandparents-only dance team for official game timeouts!! JOIN NOW!!" :pQuote:
Originally Posted by Harvey Hornet
I mean lets get this game on. Does the league want to keep dealing with this for the next year? Media questions, a battle between cities, owner embarassing himself every week or two, rumors of secret plans leaking. It is absurd. If anyone, Shinn, NBA whoever, wants the team in OKC put the ball in play. Lets get before the judge, just get the ugliness out here in plain sight. I mean someone needs to pitch a tent over this circus. LA messed up, we should have forced them back. Should have known better than to trust them to deal in good faith. I think Stern is being honest, Shinn is not. Stern needs to bring the hammer down or face dealing with this crap on a weekly basis for God knows how long.
:wavey:
Announcing the A-S game would be great, but with the stories yet to come out, one has to wonder when the Hornets will start to sing the "we will be back in New Orleans on ________."
As said before, I think the prior language used by Shinn and Stern speaks volumes about their committment here.
My opinion. Neither Stern nor Shinn want the team to return here. Stern, however, understands the implications of trying to get out the lease. Both probably hope that buying time with another year in OK might lead to some way out of the mess. Shinn probably has already gotten lawyers to look into what he can try to use to attack lease. The awarding of the Allstar game isn't proof of committment to city, but cover and pr for lack of committment.
Have to be concerned that State doesn't play into hands of Shinn and do something that opens up a way not to return. State probably could have forced return next year, but didn't want to pay potential cost. Current governor doesn't care about pro sports or New Orleans. Shinn might look for any weaknesses in recovery to try to say NO isn't ready for return. Return of team is more to do with legal battle and lease than any loyalty or love of city.
That attitude should really kill any support, which plays into their hands for saying city now can't support team.
I'm sure they were planning to make official announcement on AS game when the Hornets were in town, big splash, more media coverage. Do you think Stern will be in town for one of the games? If the NBA allowed Shinn to try and fight his way out of NO the AS game would go over like a lead balloon here. How sick of Shinn must Stern be? Can you imagine how he feels having to deal with this crap. I'm sure if the Commish could fine an owner for stupidity he would have Shinn so broke he'd have to sell the team.
Stern will only bail on us right now (2007) under one set of circumstances, and that set does not currently exist. :wavey:Quote:
Originally Posted by jwashb9999
My wife and I, season ticket holders from day one - hour one, love the games, and have just upgraded our tickets to the lower bowl. Boy, oh boy, we were jazzed about this season. Then Katrina.
And although somewhat slow to react, when he did, I believed what Shinn said. Why shouldn't I?
During the time that has passed, I've seen and heard many things. The despicable behavior of Benson has brought me to a place where I've sworn to never support his team again. Besides which, I prefer to go to basketball games anyway; easy call.
Comments from Byron about good crowds and a city that supports the team did not offend me. I understand that from his point of view, it's support for his team when they're on the floor, and that kind of atmosphere can carry a team. If I were him, I'd feel the same way. He's a coach. He's paid to get results, which I think he's doing a fine job of. And he appreciates, as anyone would, the benefits of good fan support.
But, over this time that has passed, I've connected the dots and find, regretably, that the picture that is emerging is an ugly one. I've said it before, and I'll say it again; the buyout of Woolridge, small crowds and a bad investment have crippled the finances of Shinn and the team. In OKC, the money's pouring in, with guarntees from the state, good corporate sponsors, and a bright future where he's the only game in town.
When Benson was forced back here, the Hornets return looked more doubtful instantly. Like it or not, this city has been crippled, and it will take years and years to return. That means that it'll be hard to support TWO professional sports franchises, and the owners know this.
I know Benson's waiting for the right moment, but I never thought that Shinn was too. Now I believe that he is, and that, the lying, has broken my heart.
This Beekeeper crap is so hollow, so fake, so phony. I know who we've seen implemented with it, but I also believe, without any verification what so ever, that Shinn was fully aware of it, yet pulled no strings, nor had any directly attatched either. Two words....plausible denyability.
Where does it go from here? We'll just have to wait and see. More will follow.
But I find myself dumbfounded that someone of his stature would not simply put his cards on the table and be honest with the people. For example, if I had been told:
"I want to return. I want to bring this team back permanently. But before I can, I have a responsibility to make sure I'm not jumping into a situation where the water's deep, I'm far away from shore, and I don't have a lifevest. I need you folks to support the team, and we need corporate sponsors to step back to the plate, naming rights sold for the arena etc etc. I'll do everything that I can, but I'll need your help. Together......." etc etc.
I've heard some of that, but when I also hear comments like the ASG in OKC, this Beekeeper crap, and see the firing (officially or otherwise) of good, proven team leaders like Bristow and McDougal, then I know that I'm being lied to. When I see that, as anyone else does, my faith falters and my desire to do what I can for the team, buy tickets, merchandise & concessions, falters.
Look, as far as I know, I'm still on the fan advisory board. I'm still willing to go to meetings and do what I can to support the team and offer my thoughts and feelings to help. All I ask for my hard earned money, my dedication to the team, and most importantly, my heart, is some honesty in return.
Break the mould of corporate money-grabbing and dedicate yourself to the city and the people here. Maybe you won't make as much money here initially as you might in OKC, but over time, I can promise you that the people of Southeast Louisiana will bring you home.
We will rebuild, we will conquer whatever challenges we face, and we NEED your team to be there with us. If you can't, just be honest and tell us. Don't play games. Let us ALL move on.
Scrap the Beekeepers, commit to the city - without double-speak/wiggleroom in what you say, and join in the fight. It's a simple strategy. We need your support to help us regain our life as we knew it. You need us to support your team. I'm willing to hold up my end of the bargain. You.....?
:wavey:
They ought to know that these large crowds in OKC are based on the fact that this is still the "honeymoon" phase, so to speak, the novelty thing. There are a lot of simpletons there, and I'm NOT convinced that the sellouts and the like are going to maintain into next season. The novelty will wear off soon enough and they'll jump off the bandwagon.
And then what? Would have been better to go back and hold your old friend's hand instead of running off with the glitzy new one.
About Shinn's conspicuous piety -- hey, look, I'm not knocking religion here, although I am a freethinker -- but in MY experiences in my lifetime, the people that I've had to deal with that were always very showy and stagy with their professions of faith always seemed to have the MOST to hide, and often something that was at odds, however small or great, with the tenets of their professed faith. Funny thing, I seem to recall reading that some Guy warned about that kind of thing.
And really -- as mentioned by others previously -- you can love the team and hate the owner. After all, it isn't the owner people are there to see, its the team and the players. Its funny for some of us in Oklahoma. I did not make a huge emotional investment in the team because I know they will not be staying here. But at the same time, its hard NOT to make an emotional investment in them -- they're talented, likeable, and fun to watch. I knew, however, from Day One in September when it was announced they would temporarily come to OKC that there would be some people (the aforementioned simpletons) who WOULD make an emotional investment in them, inferring what they read in the (unbelieveably slanted) OKC paper about the team's history and think "we could keep this team." It doesn't surprise me that some of those simpletons have a lot of money they're willing to throw around and make it happen at the expense of things like good faith and business ethics and makes the rest of us look bad in the process. And I'm terribly sorry, on behalf of those of us who DON'T think like them.
Can't say I'm shocked, but I too wanted very much to believe Shinn's commitment to New Orleans was more than just talk.
I guess Kenny Wilkerson doesn't seem so dumb for thinking the Hornets wouldn't come back if Shinn had his way. I wonder if he knew something?
Pathetic that the owners of the Saints and Hornets are both so incredibly selfish and obviously lack any concept of compassion or morality.
Brian
~Go Hornets!~
:wavey: I knew for some time my suspicions about you were right.
Howdy!! :wavey: :ipuker:
Are you reading this Hornet execs? Like what your dumbarse owner is doing to your fanbase? Like how you might be forcing the state of LA into a fight that YOU WILL LOSE?
:wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :wavey:
:wave2:
Come on HH,spill the beans. We have a right to know. GIVE IT UP.
So this is why there are no tickets available? I can't fathem that the lower bowl is sold out. I still want to buy 3 game pkgs regardless of all this crap. I've been saying there was a conspiracy to show small crowds. If I go to the Laker game (if played here, ;) ) and the lower bowl is scarce, I'll never buy another ticket until Shinn is gone!
:wavey:
Let me say something I have not weighed in on this yet and I have read the opinion's on this board.
Everyone keeps saying wait till the national media gets a load of this or watch the media bash Shinn when they find this out....well I don't think the national media gives two rat's *$# about our situation. I have not seen anything about this situation talked about in a national spotlight, in fact I had to sit through sportscenter the other night and hear Neil Everett repeatedley talk about the Oklahoma City Hornets and how they won 5 in a row before the All-Star break,no mention of NOLA what so ever. I really think they don't care or don't seem to care as much as we think they do. I am at my snapping point with all of this!!! I still can't get my 3 game package and I know its being sabatoged I don't care you can tell me different but between Bee Keeper,Shinn's comments, and the infamous "Phone Problems",the tickets are being withheld. I know a handful of people who gave up trying to get tickets.This is BS!!! The people down here are just sick and tired of bing strung along as a puppet. The media and people around the country treat us down here like we are "different". This is fine with me but we are not different because we had a natural disaster,crippled hospitals,crippled school,and corrupt politicians....we are different because of the unique and good hearted people who live down here. Everyday around the country people go to work and go home and be with family...No one goes through everyday what we do down here,going to work,fighting with insurance,trying to get housing,talking to family across the country who are seperated from you etc.. We need a break tell us the truth stop playing mind games and with our hearts...we are not "those people down there", do you not remember us we are Hornets fans and we want our team back.....Shinn needs to do major PR work,he needs to stand up like a man at center court and speak to us and just tell us the truth. I am SICK of this,we have other issues to worry about than whether you are lying to us about our team returning! And by the way Shinn,if you don't want to be here than go, and when you are old and shrivaled I hope before you die the last thing you see is the faces of Charlotte and New Orleans! One more thing Shinn,New Orleans is coming back we are celebrating Mardi Gras and jazz fest will be the best ever,and I will be here in New Orleans my city helping rebuild my city and community because that's what you do when you belong and love a city. Sorry guys for the rant but Im so *@##%$,this all needs to stop. :wavey: :wave:
Well said Beezwax, very well said... Have a great weekend.
You can get a 3-pack on ticketmaster right now, but only in groups of 1.Quote:
Originally Posted by jordanfreak23
I agree that its not a national issue right now, and that's fine at this stage. The media in Seattle, Orlando, Sacramento and Toronto have an eye on this though, and they will be watching very closely if the Hornets try to break their lease. Why build a new arena for the Sonics, Magic, Kings or Raptors if the NBA can break a binding lease at any time?Quote:
Originally Posted by Beezwax
New Orleans has the winning hand - we will just need to stay on-message and be diligent if the other side tries to make a move (like Bee Keeper).
If at any point we have to nationalize this with the media then we will nationalize it. For now, let's focus on locking down the 2008 All-Star Game, packing the Arena for March 8, 18 and 21 (in spite of the purposeful "foot-dragging" of the Hornets CTO), acting in good faith with the Hornets organization, and watching the other side's moves very, very, closely.
+1 imaginary pointQuote:
Originally Posted by iedmunds
Quote:
Originally Posted by iedmunds
I agree but its just hard right now. :mad:
I disagree, I think they are doing so well because they don't really have a choice . . . that is if they want pro sports. This is a test, OKC knew from the start that they need outstanding attendance to "prove" they are pro sports worthy. I could be wrong, but that is what I got from the various comments from the OKC mayor.Quote:
Originally Posted by giggles
You are part right, I feel a lot of it has to do with the outstanding play of the hornets which is part of the entire "honeymoon" phase . . . but I assume it was crystal clear to all okies that if they wanted pro sports in the future they were going to have to support the hornets like they are right now.
Now that the okies have proven that they can indeed support a pro team I do not assume any of them would agree with my outlook though. But I do rememeber when the Hornets first got there and okies were coming here everyday to let us know they were going to do everything in their power to prove to all the pro leagues they could do it (by attending games in high numbers) . . . now they are cocky and saying they should have had pro sports all along, that the hornets should be in okc, and that they were never under any kind of test or that the test is the reason for their high attendance.
The Seattle SuperSonics’ Ray Allen, who grew up an Air Force brat and lived for awhile in Altus, said NBA players don’t know much about Oklahoma City outside of the bombing.
The Sonics played at the Ford Center 11 days ago and “it seemed it was warmer, so it definitely beats some of those more northern cities.”
But Allen warned that the verdict remains out on Oklahoma City as an NBA stronghold.
“I think they’re going to push to keep a team there,” Allen said. “If the team suffers a losing season, maybe two losing seasons, maybe a disgruntled player or something, just how is the city going to respond to it?
“Every franchise has lean years. In those lean years, that’s where you hope you can sustain your fan base.”
Shinn is so stupid he doesn't even realize how much money he is taking out of his pockets. When the team comes back after next season he will have the people in N.O. so upset with all the B.S. its going to hurt ticket sales. Comments like these will continue until the day the team moves back and I dont know how much more I can take!
Even OKC would demand some kind of strong contract/lease . . . if not they would be stupid because all a city would have to do is build a newer arena and promise more money to lure the Hornets away. I find it interesting lots of OKC fans like to bash our contract as well as make fun of it . . . considering they will never a strong contract to keep any team they get (even the hornets).Quote:
Originally Posted by iedmunds
You are right JG2345. He's no "Norman Einstein"!Quote:
Originally Posted by JG2345
http://www.manmademultimedia.com/mag...e_theisman.jpg
not suprising coming from Shinn. This was the same "man" who couldnt even go knock on his neighbors (Paul Silas) door the day he canned him. He couldnt even be a Man and go talk to the guy. Hes a weasel, a worm, and he could care less about NOLA. I hope he gets lost in the desert in OKC and never comes back. I will support the NEW ORLEANS HORNETS but i will never support this "man" again. I have a friend whos father used to work directly with Shinn, and this man is NO man you want to trust or work for. I hope hes happy. JUST REMEBER YOU LITTLE WEASEL, WE SUPPORTED YOU WHEN YOU GAVE US MATT FREJIE AND LEE NAILON. lets see the Okies give you 14 thousand when they have to pay money to watch the same product. ILL BE THERE MARCH 8th just to spite your pitiful butt. :nerner2: :disco: :godance: :wavey: :wavey: :wavey: :wavey: