Hornets247.com

I couldn't resist the headline. It's his bio over at Bleacher Report. Anyway, this chill dude has decided that the Hornets are going nowhere. Rather than ignore it, I'm going to post it here so we can all make angry comments. Sounds fun, eh?

Here's what he had to say-

"Ah, what a bright future it once was for the Hornets a couple years ago. 

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His passing is different than Paul's, but similarly awesome. I realize this isn't Hornets related at all, but enjoy nonetheless.

Bonus points if you speak Spanish.

Link here

Marc Stein, via Twitter:

In response to tweet called to my attention, I've been assured Hornets have not/will not express interest in Iverson. No word yet from ORL

Kelly Dwyer over at Yahoo!'s Ball Don't Lie ranks all the point guards.  Somehow I forgot to post his top 10 here.  CP3 still rules the roost in his book, my friends.

1. Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets (last year: first)

Paul ran through a frustrating 2009-10, losing significant time to injury and a head coach he liked (Byron Scott) to the firing line. He then topped missing out on the playoffs with an embarrassing trade-demand-that-he-swears-really-wasn't in the offseason. Healthy in 2010-11, with a new coach (Monty Williams) and a new finishing partner on the break in Trevor Ariza, one can only hope that Paul can work his way out of this funk and lead the Hornets back to the playoffs.

Even if New Orleans makes another lottery appearance, it hardly matters. Paul is the cream of this crop.

Interestingly enough, I expect him to be putting Marcus Thornton in the top 10 of Shooting Guards as well.  I agree wholeheartedly with that idea.

The New Orleans Hornets are teaming up with Chevron and several other corporate and community partners including Rouses Supermarkets, CVS pharmacies and Take 5 Oil Change to launch the “Believe in Blue” campaign which will serve to raise awareness and funds for the residents of communities affected by the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, restore local coastal wetlands and help return the gulf’s water back to its original color—blue.

“The Hornets and our corporate partners are committed to the growth and development of the region where we live and work, and we share the same pride in assisting with the recovery and revitalization for our neighbors in need,” said Hornets President Hugh Weber. “We understand the responsibility of utilizing our resources to give back, and we are excited to band together with our partners, fans and entire organization to help those struggling with the devastation in the gulf. In addition to being one of our team’s primary colors (Creole blue), fans also associate blue with the beauty of the waters of this region, and our campaign strives to help restore and preserve that which makes this region so special.”

One of the initial elements of the campaign will include the sale of blue wristbands that will feature the slogan “Believe in Blue.” The bands will be sold for $2 starting in early October and will be available at designated partner retailers including the Hornets’ Nest team store, Chevron locations, Rouses Supermarkets, CVS pharmacies and Take 5 Oil Changes. All proceeds from of the bands and other funds raised through the entire “Believe in Blue” campaign will benefit the Friends of the Fisherman fund, the officially endorsed fund of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board created to help Louisiana's fishermen, America’s WETLAND Foundation, established to preserve Louisiana’s coastal wetlands, and Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans. All funds will be collected and distributed through the United Way.

ESPN's poll of its expert marches onward, weighing in on many things, and today it got to where Chris Paul will be in two years.  I participated in the panel, but I'm generally in the minority for all things Hornets.  This is one of those things:

Only 12.9 percent of our voters think Paul will stay in New Orleans, despite the fact that after his meeting with Hornets management, he said in a statement: "I have been a Hornet my entire career and I hope to represent the city of New Orleans and state of Louisiana for many years to come."

But as currently constructed, the Hornets' roster will have a tough time getting out of the West -- in fact, the Hornets probably are going to have a tough time getting out of the lottery. And with the rest of his Olympic buddies all seemingly on title contenders, Paul is running out of patience.

Still, it's too early to tell what will happen. The Hornets have a new coach (Monty Williams) and a new general manager (Dell Demps) who come from winning organizations -- the Blazers and Spurs, respectively. They just made a deal for Trevor Ariza, who will be Paul's most athletic sidekick ever in New Orleans. And they have some flexibility with David West set to become a free agent next summer.

So things could change quickly in New Orleans. Plus, it will be hard for him to leave a community he loves and a city in which he saved basketball, right?

Hornets Emcee Rob Nice interviews Trevor Ariza.  Is it pathetic that I still cringe when I hear one of our players is hanging out with Baron Davis?  And anyone else happy to hear his primary focus will be to "take better shots"?

The Hornets have invited all Season Ticket Holders to attend Hornets Night at Zephyr Field and enjoy a night out at the ballpark on Sunday, Aug. 15 at Zephyr Field.  The evening will feature Hornets entertainment such as Hugo, Honeybees, the Used to Bees and a post-game fireworks show. 

Hornets Head Coach Monty Williams and General Manager Dell Demps will interact with STHs during the pre-game tailgate party from 4:30-6:00 p.m., and Williams is scheduled to throw out the first pitch at 6:00 p.m.

The Zephyrs will wear commemorative Hornets uniforms for the game, which will be presented to select Hornets STHs directly following the game. 

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-From the Hornets

In a recent ESPN poll of experts (including our very own Ryan Schwann), Chris Paul was entirely shut out in the predictions for MVP in 2010-2011.

It makes sense that Paul wouldn't be a favorite considering he missed a huge chunk of last season with injuries, and the Hornets aren't expected to be very good by very many people, but it's the guys who are getting votes that confuses me.

I can't understand how a team with LeBron, Chris Bosh, and Wade could possible collect even a single first place MVP vote for any of it's stars. If your team has three superstars then how can any of them be league MVP? I'm not sure if I'm the only one here that can't connect the dots on this one, but whatever. I'm never going to subscribe to the "best player on the best team" that has taken over MVP voting in recent years.

Anyway, the point is that Paul didn't get a vote. Let's hope this pisses him off.

Here's the link if you want to see all the people that beat him out.