West Leads Coming Out Party As Hornets Swarm Spurs 101-82 In Game One Of Series

Not Even “Hugo The Hornet” could ruin this coming out party as the New Orleans Hornets routed the San Antonio Spurs 101-82 in game one of their second round NBA Western Conference Playoff series. The Hornets shot 50% (43-86) from the floor for the game, led by forward David West who had a game high 30 points. Chris Paul and Tyson Chandler each recorded a double-double for the Hornets, who shut the only team from the Lone Star State that is still playing in the NBA Post Season.

I fully admit that I am a dinosaur/purist when it comes to the NBA, to me the only improvement in the marketing of the?Association between, 1986 and 2008 is the longer shorts. But after covering the Cleveland Cavaliers for over a decade, and being subjected to OutKast and Ozzy Osborne at levels so high the vocals are distorted, I realize the NBA does not think it’s all?about the game. After bearing witness to countless half time acts that looked like they belonged on the?Ed Sullivan Show?I realize that the Association does not think it’s game alone will get you to the arena. I don’t agree, but as I wrote, I am a purist/dinosaur. But when a stunt is pulled that delays the game 20 minutes, then it becomes more than just annoying! In case you missed the game, the Hornets mascot “Hugo The Hornet” between the first and second quarter, jumped off a trampoline, through a flaming hoop, and dunked the basketball. There was one slight problem, they could not put out the fire on the flaming hoop! ?They had to bring fire extinguishers onto the court to put out the fire, which left the playing court covered in a white powdery residue. It took 20 minutes for them to make the floor playable again! Come on now, let the game sell itself!

The more experienced Spurs took the early lead as they had a 27-23 advantage at the end of the first quarter. The margin remained the same, and at the half the two teams went to their respective locker rooms with San Antonio on top 49-45. The momentum started to swing during the other way during the third quarter, as New Orleans improved their shooting, and increased their defensive intensity. The Hornets?had the edge at the end of the third quarter as they led 74-66. New?Orleans held the defending NBA Champions to just 16 points, in the fourth quarter, to win the game handily.

David West scored 30?points, 9 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 block, in the New Orleans victory. Peja Stojakovic scored 22 points, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, Chris Paul scored 17 points, dished off 13 assists, 4? steals, 4 rebounds. Tyson Chandler scored 10 points, grabbed 15 boards, 3 blocks, Bonzi Wells came off the bench and scored 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 block.

Tony Parker led the Spurs with 23 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, 1 steal. Manu Ginobili scored 19 points, 7 assists, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, Bruce Bowen scored 17 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists.?Michael Finley scored 13 points, 3 rebounds. New Orleans takes a 1-0 lead in the series, game two will be played Monday.