Why Winning Game 1 is a Bigger deal Than You Think

by RyanCaz on Apr 18, 2011 2:23 PM CDT

[Bumping this to the front page due to its high awesomeness quotient - Rohan]

This is why the series just got real.

This is a picture I took in the Hive from the third level at Game 5 of the 2007-2008 playoffs against the Spurs. The Hornets went on to win this game 101-79.

This picture hangs on my wall as an 8 X 10.

Why do I love this picture so much? Well, being an avid sports fans, I have been to many, many sporting events. Saints football (home and away), Spurs games as a child when my uncle used to live in San Antonio (be jealous, I got to watch Michael Jordan at the Alamodome!), Rockets games during my grad school years, and Mavs games during my internship...among many others. So I have been in many loud arenas in my day. Add that with 5 years of playing in a touring rock band, my hearing is going to be shot when I'm an old geezer.

But this particular game just 3 seasons ago was not loud. It was deafening. This had to be single loudest arena I have ever been in.

We still have one more game to play in L.A., and it would be amazing if the Hornets could pull off another victory (even with Magic Johnson and Hannah Storm laughing and saying "ehh, Lakers in 5 games"), but regardless, we now have HOMECOURT ADVANTAGE.

I have been to a game this season in which the Lakers visited the Hive. Plenty of "Faker" fans (NOLA natives wearing Kobe jerseys) were in attendance and making plenty of noise as the referees refused to call fouls on the Lakers.

But, guess what? These home games will be sold out. And people will be commuting (I speak for myself and plenty of my friends and family who are coming to game 3) to support the Hornets. Hornets fans will tremendously outnumber Kobe fans, and we all know how crazy New Orleans (and Louisiana in general) fans can be.

This series is also extremely important for the Hornets' future. Why? Because should the Hornets push the Lakers and make this a series, season ticket sales will spike. They probably sold a bunch today. Last I heard (according to hornets247.com) , season tickets for next year are above 7,500 already, well on-pace to reach the goal of 10,000. Imagine, if the Hornets push the Lakers against the wall, or better yet, if they somehow win the series (barring a David Stern/referee conspiracy intervention), how huge this would be for the future of the organization. Especially if these sold out crowds witness at least one victory against the Lakers.

Now, RyanCaz, calm down, the Hornets have won only one game, and there are plenty left in this series. But winning game 1 in Los Angeles is a big deal, even if the Lakers return the favor in game 2.

But as long as Pau Gasol gets caught guarding Chris Paul, my bets are that this will be a hell of a series.

And the New Orleans Hornets organization would love for this to be a hell of a series, advancing or not advancing to the next round.

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Comments

And I refuse to talk about Chris Paul's future

just for the record ;-)

Reppin' the Lafayette Hornets fans.

by RyanCaz on Apr 17, 2011 11:16 PM CDT reply actions

SO EXCITED FOR FRIDAY NIGHT

I’m making it my personal goal to drown out as many Fakers fans as possible.

by GeauxHornets on Apr 18, 2011 2:30 PM CDT reply actions

Sounds like a plan

I will do the same

Peyton, I can eat Oreos faster than you!!!!

by mknkachow on Apr 18, 2011 3:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Great shot.

What it lacks in clarity, it more than makes up for in framing and subject.

Ive got one from the Denver series that isnt as good, but its still good here

by mattmc89 on Apr 18, 2011 3:08 PM CDT reply actions

so it looks like you guys won one yesterday

time for game two Baby!!!

"I got my caveman club," -- THE BLACK MAMBA

by smart_guy on Apr 18, 2011 3:16 PM CDT reply actions

It's A Big Deal

Going back to New Orleans down 0-2 doesn’t generate as much excitement from the crowd as winning Game one, and winning it the way they did, should for the city. I don’t live there anymore but from what I heard it was a pretty cool scene in New Orleans after the win yesterday. Anything to get the community to support the team is golden in my eyes and I think this is the kind of win that can really generate the fanbase. They were going to come anyways because it’s the playoffs, but I’m glad I got my tickets for Game 3 early because they’re all out now from what I’ve been told.

Hopefully there won’t be as many Lakers fans there but we all know there will be a good amount. It’s up to everyone there to be as loud and overbearing as possible!

Great writeup, Ryan. Go Hornets!

"You play to win the game."

by MrWayneKeller on Apr 18, 2011 3:23 PM CDT reply actions

That picture is epic.

Can’t wait for the next game. Go Hornets!

"I'm not a businessman, I'm a business, man" ~Jay-Z
CP3 is coming. Quick, hide your Howards!

by OnPointLikeCP3 on Apr 18, 2011 3:38 PM CDT reply actions

Thanks Rohan

for bumping this up to the front page.

I’m officially done with optometry school (become a doctor on May 14), and I hope to spend some of my free time writing.

Excited for Wednesday and especially Friday. And I may even be there Sunday if the stars and planets align.

GEAUX HORNETS!

Reppin' the Lafayette Hornets fans.

by RyanCaz on Apr 18, 2011 4:37 PM CDT reply actions

Wow, that's great Ryan

"I'm not a businessman, I'm a business, man" ~Jay-Z
CP3 is coming. Quick, hide your Howards!

by OnPointLikeCP3 on Apr 19, 2011 8:53 AM CDT up reply actions

Thanks!

Reppin' the Lafayette Hornets fans.

by RyanCaz on Apr 19, 2011 9:26 AM CDT up reply actions

LOL

no need to call me doc. And reading will not harm your eyes, just may strain them ;-)

Reppin' the Lafayette Hornets fans.

by RyanCaz on Apr 18, 2011 8:20 PM CDT reply actions

Sobering up....

A day after ONE of our biggest wins in franchise history(based on reg season games and lack of Hornet’s personnel), I took off the rose-colored glasses and saw Hornets up 1-0 in the “first” playoff game of the post-season….. Seeing CP3 do what he did was great and I know he’s gonna do more of the same since he saved his body during the reg season. The question is with the personnel we have, can they REALLY step up when CP3’s shots aren’t falling? I REALLLLLLLLLLy hope so…. I know D Anderson will have to be a good option with his outside scoring ability not to mention his height. If Gray is able to play, I hope its Saturday being that he’s a “big boy” and realistically needs the time/weight off his ankle. The lakers are going to be ready Wed because of all the negative hype Gasol has gotten and I just hope we play a good game.

Lastly….. I’m kind of getting tired of reading articles on the net like the Hornets are a Div II college team playing the world champs and we’ll be satisfied with that “one” game. A good game Wed followed by a win at home will remind the world, we were once a feared team not too long ago.

by fshabazz on Apr 18, 2011 10:27 PM CDT reply actions

D Andersen

He might be an option if Gray is limited due to injury.

Andersen had one pretty good shooting game against the Lakers earlier this season and luring the Lakers big guys out of the paint with outside shooting big men is one of the potential strats.

by MZURK on Apr 19, 2011 2:45 PM CDT up reply actions

Good post

Just curious if the Hornets are still in the playoffs come May 14, will you face a conflict of interest at any point? Career <—→ beloved sports team? :)

by RedHopeful on Apr 19, 2011 9:13 AM CDT reply actions