New Orleans Hornets Information
While they were ready to go with all the support possible, the Hornets did not fare well. Their record was a mixture of up and downs until the 1999-2000 seasons. As the year began, the Hornets began to show real promise until the tragic death of Bobby Phills. His death was a terrible blow to the team. That same year, the team was plagued with other problems as well. Owner, George Shinn began to cause fan uproar over players' salaries and began to trade them. The final straw had to legal allocations against Shinn that harmed the reputation. The fans, angry, with Shinn, caused attendance to decline and they were not able to change things. When Shinn decided the team needed a new stadium, and had disputes with the city over funds to pay for it, he relocated to New Orleans in 2003.
Once relocating to New Orleans, the team struggled while trying to become adjusted. The team showed effort; however, an inconsistency and lack of fan participation was taking its toll.
As 2005 arrived and the Hornets were preparing for summer camp New Orleans was devastated by Hurricane Katrina. With much of the city underwater, the team was temporarily relocated to Oklahoma City where it played until its return to New Orleans this year. Despite the many challenges the team has faced, they remain a steady force and as the team and their city continue to be rebuilt, America will always root for you.