I did not realize what I was actually watching. I did not realize how tremendously important that this series was. Maybe I did not realize this because I had been away from New Orleans for the last four years. To be honest, I do not even feel like I belong in New Orleans. I am a New Orleans native but personally, I feel that I am not really "New Orleans". I am not the essence of New Orleans. I can honestly move back away in less than a year from now. In spite of all these things, I still feel the unearthing bond that The Hornet has had on this series. On Nov. 9, I got a $10 ticket for the New Orleans Hornet vs. San Antonio Spurs game. On ESPN.COM, it says that 15,000 people were there. That is incorrect. I was there. I know. I bought one ticket and moved all the way around to the center. My view was marvelous and I did not care who was there because I am a basketball fan. That is not the point though. As the year went on and the Hornet won more and more, you could feel as well as see the difference in the slight buzz around the Hornet. They won game after game on the road and the PEOPLE began to take notice. There were more tickets sold and as each game passed, there was less wiggle room for me with my $10 ticket. It was starting to become more and more evident that people were starting to show up. I pegged it as "FAKE FANS". Where were all these people at in the beginning? Where were all these people at when THE Hornet played Minnesota and there was just a little over 8,00 people there? I have a habit of looking at things that way. Don't ask me why.................
Cut to the All-star Game: David West and Chris Paul are voted into the game. The festivities are being held in New Orleans. The Big EASY is hosting it's first all-star game. Impressive? Well, it was still not to me because I was there. I was not at the game but I was out every night meeting and greeting the visitors who entered the city. I would think an event like that would draw a much different crowd. Well it didn't. However, it is what it is and it was still gratifying because the Hornets were only one game out of first place and like I said, I am a fan of the NBA. So, the second half of the season starts and you begin to wonder if the Hornet has a chance. No, they won't win the west. Besides, they are a young team and they don't have the post up game that is needed to continue to win consistently. But guess what Mr. "Smart %$!^" Mobley?
They do. They continue to win and not only that, Chris Paul continues to throw alley-oops to Tyson Chandler, Peja Stojakovic continues to hit threes and David West is consistent as ever in only his second full season as a starter. Amazing............ Almost in a blink of an eye, I try to go to a Denver game on January 28 and it is sold out!!! What? A Hornet game is sold out. What is happening here? Not only does the game sell out but the crowd diversifies. There are more adults from all parts of the city and there are more scalpers working the sidewalks outside of "THE DOME". Man, I guess I will just miss this one because I can't get tickets.
"Hey. How about them Hornets?"
"Are you going to the Hornets game?"
"Man, that Chris Paul is a beast."
"The Hornets might have a chance."
"I am staying home tonight to watch the Hornets game because that is the only little enjoyment I get."
This becomes the sounds that I hear everyday almost in each encounter with anyone I know. Wow!!!! Even the causeway bridge has it's digital display reading "GO HORNETS!!!!!"
Am I convinced? Yes.......aaah but NO. The cynic I am still has that slight facial expression. That slight doubt that Byron Scott is not a good coach and The Hornet is just a good regular season team. My basketball mind just has to tell me that because it works like a well oiled machine.
PLAYOFFS!!!!!!!! #2 SEED!!!!!!! What? I told you!!! Those negative words still come out of my mouth as the Hornet easily and without a doubt has became a good team as fast as the rain in New Orleans goes from a slight drizzle to a climatic down pour flooding many parts of the city.
Can they beat Dallas though? Can they beat a well seasoned team that JUST MADE the finals two years ago? Yeah........If I had to choose anybody to play, I would want to play Dallas. I believe they are weak and we can beat them. I even picked the Hornets in my NBA.COM bracket to beat Dallas is 6 games........ But............They are too young to do anything else.
"are you going to that hornet game"
"Yes. I will go."
Let's rush home from work and get ready to get to the game by six. Besides, this is a playoff game and I have never been to an NBA playoff game. Man, my stomach is kind of twitching because they are down 52-40 at halftime. I told you!!! I predict a lost. David West is shaken and the experience Dallas team is too much. It's no big deal but why is my friend noticeably in a less jovial mode than he was before? I think nothing off it and go on because my basketball mind was prepared for a Hornet let-down.
SECOND HALF. Chris Paul Shot......Chris Paul layup.......Chris Paul layup....Chris Paul Shot..... Peja ices the game with a three.
What happened? The Hornet wins game 1.
In the literal sense of my description, it seemed like the game turn around and even faster, I find the Hornet leading the series 3-1.
"I knew it. I picked the Hornet in my NBA bracket"
Game 5:
"Hey. I am coming over to watch the game."
"Okay"
Man, my dad is coming over to watch the game. I got to go to Wal-Mart to have something for my guest. As the game starts, I am seasoning and cooking the steaks, potatoes and brocoli. The game is actually on but I have to cook this food and clean first before I can watch the game. My dad, in his infinite wisdom moves from my couch to the floor so he can see the game a little better. He has had problems with his eyes the last month or so. He cringes with every play. He screams on every bad shot. He curses on every Dallas made shot. Contrastingly, I only sparingly watch the game as I have to try to maintain myself as a good host to my dad. The Hornets are up by 10. My dad proclaims:
"This is not a job for a basketball fan. This may be a job for a butcher because the Hornet might slaughter the Mavs."
But wait........... Up 12, Down 9, Down 8, Down 5, Down 3..... New Orleans takes a timeout.
As the game continues, I notice my daddy is in a quiet disappointed mode. He knows the Hornet should have wrapped this game up but now the finish is beyond his control and he can only sit in quiet disbelief after the explosive outbursts from before seemed to be in vain.
"YES!!!!!" Hornet win.
I began to talk about the next series. I began to talk about what the Hornet had to do to compete with San Antonio. I began to analyze the Bruce Bowen and Chris Paul matchup. My energy was easily higher now that the game was over and that is when...........
My dad was even more quieter than before. He laid there slouched over with his hand on his head as if he had a throbbing migraine. He had to calm down and relax because the worst was over. The Hornet had won. This night was not about me. I had realized what this night had meant. See, before I could not understand because I am not New Orleans, I don't feel like New Orleans, and I will probably move away from New Orleans soon. However, a part of me was still there. My dad, who was my father, was New Orleans. He was Jazzfest. He was Mard Gras. He was the french quarter. He was Hurricane Katrina. He represented going to a deli and eating a hot sausage sandwich for lunch. He represented gumbo, jambalaya and Bourbon street and he was proud of it. He represented every thing New Orleans was not and everything it is at the same time. For all the crime, drugs, racism, crooked political representation, years of frustration with the New Orleans Saints, poverty, homeless and anything else, the one thing you would not and could not take from New Orleans and my dad this night was that New Orleans was winner. A winner again despite everything they are not and everything they are. The Hornet won. The Hornet, for one single night, swept all the bad memories away of all the tragic and horribe things that had happened to New Orleans and transformed NEW ORLEANS back into the winner that they know they are despite detractors like me. The Hornet did that. The Hornet made that possible. The Hornet was a Hero and My dad was proud of it.
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