Gustav update!
Well, we’re back with no damage. I haven’t really seen much damage except lots of tree branches and one downed roof. So I am pleased to report that New Orleans seemed to get out of this fairly unscathed. Unfortunately, last night was about the grossest night ever, as we seem to be on one of the few blocks in the city that doesn’t have power and let me tell you, it is hot. I bleached the fridge in the dark by flashlight last night. And the next door neighbors have a generator that sounds like a small plane taking off. Yeah.
Gustav cats don't need no A/C
Left, the HypeCats lounge, oblivious to the fact that the Headquarters is like 100 degrees without A/C. They braved the storm and 5 days alone. They are hardy fluffballs. Lest you worry about their relevance to this blog, be assured that the HypeCats are huge Hornets fans. Indeed they strive to emulate Julian Wright’s energy and bounce in their everyday lives.
Currently reading the NBA internets (has anything happened? I missed it, if it did) while drinking iced coffee in PJ’s on Magazine. Hope everyone in NOLA did OK!
In lieu of actual New Orleans Hornets content, here, have a picture of Chris Paul letting team owner George Shinn wear his gold medal. (What? Did CP3 grow, you ask? No. Shinn is really that short. Seriously. I’ve met him.) Slightly disturbingly this photo shoot took place at the end of last week, when Gustav was heading at New Orleans. Uh, I hope you guys got him out of there. I don’t think I’m exaggerating when I say that he’s one of the city’s greatest assets.
Oh, and this is not related, but I would also like to state for the record that the Oklahoma City Thunder’s name and logo are the stupidest things in the history of stupid.
Glad to know gustav wasn’t didn’t do that much damage, trying to convince my girlfriend to move to the New Orleans area in the next five years or so and the hurricanes on the news aren’t helping me with that. I was down there for katrina with the Army so I saw how bad it got down there. I need to vent this, I usually agree with the Hornets decisions but to let Pargo go and keep Bowen just seems crazy to me. We didn’t need a player to be another Paul off the bench Pargo complimented the team well and gave us a boost of energy off the bench so to keep Butler, Bowen, hell even Ely and not try to trade them to give JP abit of a raise after he did so well last season just seems wrong to me.
I really hope we keep Bonzi and they go with Brown, Wells, Posey/Wright(whomever plays whichs position), and Armstrong/Ely whoever impresses the coaching staff more. I just think it was kind of a step down in terms of making the team stronger to let Pargo go. Oh and also yeah oklahoma city has officially the crappiest team name now, but maybe like other bad names it’ll grow on people(not me…..but some people).
For the record, this noble blogger made it home first after flying through Houston the night before and driving from there to check on the aforementioned headquarters and cats. And while there are still plenty of people without power, we do have gas, and at least the temperatures are maxing in the high eighties so far. That, my friends, is a gift of nature, so don’t buy this B.S. that Bush and his cronies have learned anything from Katrina.
OK, it isn’t as hot in here as last night. Power is now up to 1 house away, because I am on their wireless and loud generator is now off. Also people across the street’s alarm was going off. Four trucks outside…. Bought ramen at a gas station and lit the stove with a lighter! I am hoping for power AT ANY MOMENT.
@ Michael – I’ll also be suprised if they don’t expect Juju and Posey to pick up the second unit offence hole left by Pargo. I’m a believer in Mike J – I think he can still ball, and a training camp with the lads will make all the difference.
@ the HornetsHype headquaters – very glad to hear the station is (almost) fully operational. Especially glad to hear the kittens are unfazed. I bet there was plenty of roll-over-belly-showing and a good dose of high-pitched meows.
@ Pargo/James thoughts – I liked Pargo too, but with the cap space so tight, I see why they did what they did. Mike James has had good seasons when he’s been in one place the entire season, right? 6 million is a lot to sit on the bench. Playing him is just a good business decision. As for filling out our bench with cheaper scrubs, hey, I imagine that was Boston’s plan going into last season after filling up their salary space with the Three’s huge contracts… worked for them.
Here’s the thing, for me: we knew the Hornets were just going to tweak, not make major changes, based on how last season went. So I’m not surprised to see some role players back. I think some people wanted more of a talent overhaul, but I don’t believe that would have been smart. Look what they’ve done so far with chemistry. What I want to know is, how many practices are going to be made public? I definitely can’t wait to go!!
Also, just after I posted in this thread yesterday, the power did come back!
ticktock, CP is a beast, no doubt, so he’s probably more capable of acclimating his teammates to fit in our system, but fleshing our bench out with capable veterans may not be the best strategy. For example, the Dallas Mavericks. I follow them every season, and last season they entered with a decent core line-up, and signed up random veteran pieces for ‘experience’ or whatever. Juwan Howard, Eddie Jones, Tyronne Lue…. Except they didn’t perform nearly as well on court (or likely provide leadership in the locker room) as expected.
All I’m saying is I’m hoping the Bees are going into the season understanding the importance of quality pieces. Quantity just doesn’t work in this game.
And hooray for the power! Now you can crank that A/C to the fullest.
Okay I gotta ask cause I experienced this today, any tips on converting my girlfriend into a Hornets fan, she only likes the lakers for name cause she lives in L.A., but she doesn’t know any of them so it should be easier but I’m just looking for some helpful advice on how to bring her over to our side.(I tried to convince her that CP3 is 1/48th korean but she didn’t believe me)
Glad to hear that you, NOLA and the HypeCats are ok!
It is too bad that terms couldn’t have been met with Pargo, he really was the kind of player the Hornets need. A guy who isn’t going to complain with limited minutes, and is going to keep the offense running until CP3 gets back on the floor.
I’ve really been surprised with Mike James’ limited production over the past couple of years. I think a major issue with him is he just has to have the reigns to be productive. Remember a few years back with Toronto, he averaged 20 ppg (and was my fantasy steal in the last round of the draft!). I don’t think we’ll ever see that out of him for NO, because obviously he will never have the reigns if CP3 is there.
Michael – Show her pictures of Chandler with no shirt on. Apparently the ladies around these parts find him pretty dishy. Also point out that teal is the new black in Europe, soon to catch on to the rest of the world.
WTF is up with like a billion comments getting deleted from this post? ARGH!!
Sorry, people.