New Orleans Hornets Information

New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets tickets have created quite the stir around the Ford Center in sparkling downtown Oklahoma City. Led by rookie phenom Chris Paul and rising star J.R. Smith, head coach Byron Scott’s team has taken America’s heartland by storm. After the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina, the Hornets are quickly turning into the feel-good story of the 2005-06 NBA season. And you can be a part of the fun by buying New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets tickets today.

The Hornets came to the Crescent City more than two decades after the city lost the Jazz. After spending time in Charlotte as the Charlotte Hornets, the franchise moved further south, spurred on by a lagging fan base and the lure of the New Orleans Arena. Initially, the Hornets played very good basketball. With point guard Baron Davis leading the team, New Orleans won 16 of their first 23 games and looked like a playoff contender with potential. Davis, plagued by a back injury, saw his performance suffer in the midst of the season though and the Hornets looked in danger of losing their momentum. Management brought in Kenny Anderson from the Supersonics to help out and the Hornets ended the season at 47-35. The playoffs ended for the Hornets with a six game series loss to the Philadelphia 76ers and in response Hornets management fired head coach Paul Silas, bringing in ex-Chicago Bulls and University of New Orleans head coach Tim Floyd.

Floyd lasted only one year. Hampered by injuries once again, the Hornets managed to make the playoffs at 41-41, but were ousted by the Miami Heat in the first round. Floyd was out the door and the Hornets brought in Byron Scott to lead the team. Scott brought along his experience as a player, having won three NBA Championships with the Los Angeles Lakers, and experience as a coach, where he made two trips to the NBA Finals with the New Jersey Nets.

With the Hornets moving into the tough Southwest Division, Scott had his work cut out for him. The injury bug continued to plague the Hornets and the competition got better. Jamal Mashburn was lost for the season. The Hornets were now facing off against the Spurs, the Rockets, and the Mavericks. As a result, Scott’s first season was a dismal failure with the Hornets winning a meager 18 games and missing the playoffs.

2005-06 brought its own set of pluses and minuses. The Hornets selected Chris Paul with their pick in the draft and the rookie was thrown into the mix immediately. The Hornets were facing an uncertain future though. With their hometown devastated by Hurricane Katrina, the franchise quickly located to Oklahoma City for their home games, not knowing when or if they would return to New Orleans.

For now, the Hornets are making the best out of their new home at Oklahoma City’s Ford Center. In his second season in charge, Scott has began turn the franchise around, much like he did with the New Jersey Nets. With a strong nucleus of talent, featuring Smith and Paul, and solid mix of veterans, led by steady P.J. Brown, Hornets tickets are quickly becoming the toast of the town.