Hornets hysteria
Not everything NBA-related in Oklahoma City these days has to do with the Sonics.
There’s another team near and dear to hearts here that just happens to be in the playoffs.
Watch my latest video commentary or read below:
Like many of you, I’ve been watching the NBA playoffs.
Well, more precisely, I’ve been watching the Hornets in the NBA playoffs.
I don’t know about you, but it’s been tough watching the Men of Teal. They’ve blown through the first two games of their Western Conference series against Dallas. They’ve dominated. They’ve annihilated. As a result, they’ve left me bummed.
Just think what might have happened a year ago if Peja Stojakovic hadn’t gotten hurt. Or David West. Or Tyson Chandler. Or Chris Paul.
This just in: CP3 can play.
Those of us here in Oklahoma City know how tantalizingly close we were to seeing a playoff team. A really good playoff team. Instead, the Hornets had their injuries, returned to New Orleans, got well and have had a season to remember.
But you know what? Instead of being bummed, Oklahoma City should be proud. After all, the Hornets wouldn’t be where they are right now without OKC.
Think about it: when the franchise landed here seeking refuge from Hurricane Katrina, the Hornets had a starting lineup of Chris Paul, J.R. Smith, David West, Jamaal Magliore and P.J. Brown.
Now, they start Paul, West, Peja, Mo Peterson and Tyson Chandler. That is a serious upgrade, and that is due in large part to Oklahoma City.
Had the Hornets had a bad first year in OKC, or even the promise of a bad second year here, do you think they would’ve been able to land Peja? He was a big free-agent catch that cost the Hornets $64 million over five years. And Chandler was no cheapie either. The Hornets took on the remaining five years and $54 million of his contract.
The Hornets couldn’t have made those deals without Oklahoma City’s support.
Heck, they couldn’t have gotten Peterson or super sub Bonzi Wells, guys who never even played in OKC, without the financial stability that our fair city provided them.
So, we could be a little bummed as we watch the Hornets tear through the playoffs, but we shouldn’t be. Oklahoma City had a big hand in the team’s success, and we deserve to share in it.
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