HORNETS BACK IN THE BIG EASY, BUT DO THE FANS CARE?: Someone forgot to tell the good people of New Orleans that the Hornets aren’t in Oklahoma City anymore:

The TIMES-PICAYUNE bounces news that pro basketball in the Bayou is having the same troubles with attendance as the NHL squads.Only 9,187 souls showed up for last Friday’s contest vs. the Oden-less Portland Trail Blazers, setting a new record for smallest attendance at a New Orleans Hornets home game.

The tiny crowd at the 18,000-seat New Orleans Arena was the lowest in the Hornets’ six-year stay on the banks of the Mississippi.

But coach Byron Scott isn’t going to let a little thing like empty seats spoil his fun: “The thing I love about this team is they play for each other. They were on the bench standing and cheering for each other. We’re going to create our own enthusiasm as much as we can.”There’s an idea - maybe if fans were offered some roster spots, more people would show up.

In the meantime, what’s Hornets owner George Shinn to do? Well, we hear there’s a space in Seattle opening up. And don’t think Georgie wouldn’t buzz out of town, since he’s done it once before.

RED-HOT SHINE DULLED ON NJ DEVILS’ NEW PLAYGROUND: A new arena always brings new excitement and sellout crowds. At least that’s what the New Jersey Devils thought.

The CALGARY HERALD ices news that only a week after opening it’s doors, the Prudential Center has lost its luster. Although the season opener against the Ottawa Senators sold out, the following home game against the Tampa Bay Lightning had an announced crowd of just over 13,000.Better yet, those at the game said they saw no more than 8,000 fannies in the furbished seats. And futher witnesses say that claims of 14,000 fans at Friday’s contest against the Maple Leafs were “wildly inflated.”

(Typical Attendance at Devils Home Games)
Guess Newark isn’t such a prize destination, after all.Jersey’s home numbers aren’t the only tallies that are on thin ice. The Boston Bruins haven’t had a sellout at TD Banknorth Garden at all this year.

Last Sunday’s game hit a new low. Although attendance was officially claimed at 10,087, only 5,000 folks bothered to show up to see Boston battle Ottawa.

However, there were unforeseen factors contributing to the paltry crowd. For one, the Patriots were playing the Colts at the same time. (TD Banknorth could have used some of that fake RCA Dome noise.)And for another, the Bruins were playing.