At long last, I've been stung by Hornet fever

As someone who spent the first 30 years of his life living in Louisiana, playing basketball in junior high, high school, college, and in adult recreation leagues, I longed for the day when New Orleans might be granted another NBA franchise after the flight of the Jazz to Utah.

Of course, my luck what it is, New Orleans was granted a team AFTER I moved to New York and had casually cast my lot of NBA fandom with the Knicks during the most dismal stretch of ineptitude that the franchise has ever seen.

Still, I'd catch Hornets games whenever they were televised, and then Katrina hit and the team went away to Oklahoma City for a spell and I detached myself from whatever emotional ties I'd begun to develop for them out of fear that they'd move someplace more financially viable for an NBA franchise. But then they came back, much to my surprise, and drafted a kid from Wake Forest named Chris Paul, and all of a sudden, they were good, like, REALLY fucking good, like championship-winning potential good! Holy shit how crazy would that be if the Hornets at long last brought some sort of championship to New Orleans for all the long-suffering Saints fans to revel in?!?!

In truth, I'd probably be satisfied if the Hornets just eliminated the scourge on the NBA that is the San Antonio Spurs, the most dreadfully milquetoast collection of athletes ever assembled. I'd shed not one tear if I never have to see another Tim Duncan bank shot ever again. And if you disagree, well you can suck Tyson Chandler's balls, just like Tony "Mr. Eva Longoria" Parker.



In case you didn't know, the Hornets are up 2-0 in the series. Game 3 airs tonight at 9:30 on ESPN.