Lest we in OKC get too attached to the Hornets, maybe it is good to consider the following ...

1st, in the Houston Chronicle, 11/27/05, http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/3486103.html a part of the article reads,
2nd, in today's (Thursday, 12/08/05) ESPN's "Chat With David Stern" (it's an ESPN "Insider" article for which paid subscription is required) at http://proxy.espn.go.com/chat/chatESPN?event_id=10103

Soooo ...

Maybe it's best not to get too Hornet's-sticken (though it's a bit late for ME right now to be able to take my own advice) ... but, instead, that it might be more prudent to be aloof for our own protection and just focus on Okahoma City's potential gains SANS Hornets.

After all, although OKC is proving itself as "a market", which is probably all that might be the slightest bit interesting to Messers. Stern & Shinn, as well as providing a temporary umbrella for a damaged and displaced NBA team, sometimes, just sometimes ... do you think that we're (OKC) are just being played for suckers by getting some "strokes" from time to time by Messrs. Shinn & Stern ("OKC is a Major League city"; and "IF the NBA expands, OKC would be at the top of the list"; and all that sort of stuff)?

To be sure, it's quite possible to say, ... and things like that. BUT ... that would also mean that they are not being completely candid and honest with the NOLA interests ... and, if they are not, why ought OKC be taking their more "favorable" snippets directed to the OKC market with anything BUT a great deal of scrutiny and distrust?

I mean, if they are being misleading to NOLA, why ought we think they are likewise being misleading OKC ... after all, in the "interim", both want the Hornets to do well here so as to continue governmental, corporate, and fan support which means money to the Hornets and NBA.

The distrust that we see at HR.com as to Messrs. Shinn & Stern remarks has, in fact, a legitimate basis, at least, I think so.

If that's so, it might be wise, for our own interests, to step back and be less visceral and more pragmatic in our own perspective ... a little more weary of the "cold hard facts" just is likely to happen from the perspectives of Messrs. Shinn and Stern. Of course, if that happens, OKC will likely be less enthusiastic about supporting the Hornets, and not productive to OKC's possible NBA future.

It's ambiguous, to say the least. But, like is so with HR.com's people, who are apprently so attached to the Hornets to render the team it's most favorite pet beagle ever (and, coming from me, not a higher "pet" compliment could possibly be made), maybe it is a mistake for us to do the same. Maybe.

Of course, all of this "logical" thought comes too late for me. Maybe you can tell that well enough with my obsessive web pages of Hornets Pics, NBA Arenas, constantly updated schedule, etc. I'm even working on a new page now which focuses on the team members and coaches!!!

Oh, well ... I've lost loves before ... but I've never liked it. Very possibly, none of us will know the "truth" for quite a long while from now. That will not likely come by reading the tea leaves that Messrs. Shinn and/or Stern throw on the water from time to time, in and at such times as suits their purposes which, I predict, will continue to be an ebb and flow type of thing - always ambiguous, giving hope to one, but taking it away from the other, and then in the next few or several days, vice versa.

Is it better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all? Yeah, I think so. I guess that I'm a hopeless romantic, cause I surely do love these Hornets ... it's too late for me to be as rational about them as I've suggested that you might want to consider being.

C'est La Vie!

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Doug
http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtownOKC.htm
http://www.dougloudenback.com/oklahomacity.htm
http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/

Too late for me too!

I really think that's why I do have such compassion for the NO fans losing their team, I've already thought about how I would feel when they leave (and that's after them only being here a very short while).. I just feel empathy for them because I've embraced this team and will be so devastated when they leave. Even if we get another NBA team, it won't be the same ... kinda like a first love - we'll never forget our first NBA experience.

GO HORNETS!

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" You've Been Thunder Struck ! "

Somehow Doug, I get the feeling that you wouldn't mind the hornets leaving if the Honeybees still stayed.

Just like we promised, the Hornets in OKC are temporary and we'll give 'em back when they're ready. However, we've more that proven our case for a future NBA team and should expect to be at the top of the list the next time there is an opportunity.

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My religion consists of a humble admiration of the illimitable superior spirit who reveals himself in the slight details we are able to perceive with our frail and feeble mind
Albert Einstein

Nah, not me! Never in a mil .... well, now that the full picture comes to mind ... you mean, like they'd stay, be the team members, too? Hmmmm ... MM, you may have something there!

As to the 2nd point, I'm afraid that I got sucked in to the hype and the lack of clarity, combined with innuendo from time to time by Messrs. Shinn & Stern and I eventually came to hope that the team would stay. Most likely, until something definitive occurs, that hope will continue.

__________________
Doug
http://www.dougloudenback.com/downtownOKC.htm
http://www.dougloudenback.com/oklahomacity.htm
http://dougdawg.blogspot.com/