Stern Tells of Plans for New Orleans

NBA Commissioner David Stern reiterated his intention to return the Hornets to New Orleans for the 2007-08 season at his annual All-Star news conference Saturday.

The Hornets, one of the league’s first-half surprises, are now based in Oklahoma City, the NBA’s second-smallest market, but are No. 11 in attendance. They will return to New Orleans for three games this season, starting March 8 against the Lakers.

The Hornets will play six games in New Orleans next season. Stern has announced his intention of returning full time for the 2007-08 season and playing the 2008 All-Star game there.

Nevertheless, questions remain about the area’s loss of population, its ability to support an NBA team and the depth of the NBA’s commitment.

“I think there was an acknowledgment on [New Orleans city officials’] part that, first of all, there are some priorities that are just greater than trying to be ready to help support an NBA team at this time,” said Deputy Commissioner Russ Granik, who recently visited the area.

“When you’re talking about 41 games, it’s a lot different than eight football games. I think the way we left it in our discussions with them is to see how the population base improves, what happens with people who are moving back into the city, people who are there to help staff the arenas, to help staff the hotels....

“We received a pretty persuasive presentation that those things were going to happen over the next 12 months and hopefully they will. But everyone was in agreement that it made sense to let that run its course first and then see where we are.”

As in the past, however, Stern stopped short of a flat statement that the Hornets will return in 2007-08.

“We plan on going through with the commitment to return to New Orleans and, in fact, there’s a lease that requires it,” he said. “You want a certificate? Is there a notary in the house?”

The competition committee looked at the looming problem posed by the six-division format, which now threatens to drop the West’s top two teams, Dallas and San Antonio, into the same bracket so they would meet in the second round of the playoffs.

Meanwhile, as things stand, No. 2 Phoenix would open against No. 7 Memphis with the winner playing the Denver-New Orleans winner in the second round. Denver is now seeded No. 3 because it leads the Northwest Division, although the Nuggets’ 28-26 record is seventh in the West.

Stern suggested no changes are planned, whether it’s changing the way the top four seedings are awarded, going back to four divisions or reseeding after the first round.

“Obviously, there will be issues no matter what the system is,” Stern said. “But you know, it’s been a pretty good system.... We’ve done pretty well by it and it by us.”