If the Hornets go back to New Orleans, I expect we'll get a franchise. There haven't been any promises made, but there's been a lot of congratulations offered to us and encouragement and recognition. This a bona fide marketplace for the NBA. We've proven that.

The devastation of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region has made it necessary for the Hornets to move to a temporary location for the upcoming season. But it was important to the Hornets and the NBA that we maintain a presence in Louisiana in anticipation of a return to New Orleans next season.

It appears they [the Joint Chiefs] interpret cartoons as accurately as they do prewar intelligence.

We are acutely interested and very focused on bringing a team to Oklahoma City. It's a tricky spot to be in because you don't want to overstep your boundaries ... but the Sonics, yes, are a possibility and a team that would do well not just here, but I'm sure anywhere that they played.

They should be as concerned with the soldiers in the field as they are with a cartoon. Maybe they should provide the body armor soldiers need to help avoid the sort of injury shown in the cartoon.

Never expect people to treat you any better than you treat yourself.