http://www.nola.com/hornets/t-p/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1091523364227940.xml Hornets in for tough season in the West Scott says he's ready for challenging clubs that await N.O. Tuesday, August 03, 2004 By John Reid Staff writer When Byron Scott agreed to a three-year deal in June to coach the Hornets, he expected challenges. On Monday, Scott discovered how much of a challenge he and the Hornets face in their first season in the rugged Western Conference. Scott makes his Hornets' coaching debut Nov. 3 against the Dallas Mavericks -- now a division rival -- in the opener at New Orleans Arena. It's the third consecutive season the Hornets will start at home. Indeed, three of the Hornets first four games are against Western Conference leaders -- Dallas, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Los Angeles Lakers. New Orleans gets a homecourt advantage early, with six of the first eight games at home. But the Hornets pay it back in December, when nine of 15 games are on the road. With the switch to the West, the Hornets will make four Western trips instead of two. Starting on Nov. 22 at Utah, the Hornets will take their first-five game trip of the season, which includes stops at Golden State, Phoenix, Los Angeles to play the Lakers, before concluding against the Denver Nuggets on Nov. 29. In December, the Hornets have another five-game trip. They'll play the Sacramento Kings on Dec. 19, the Los Angeles Clippers on Dec. 21, the Lakers on Dec. 22, the Cleveland Cavaliers on Dec. 26, and the Indiana Pacers on Dec. 27. "The first 25 or 27 games, we have a bunch of road games, but other than that, it always works out in the end," Scott said. "Somewhere down the line the schedule is going to turn in your favor. I'm never really big on the schedule, because it always has its plus and minuses. So that's not a big concern of mine. "I love challenges. That's the way I've always looked at it. I learned that from the very best, Jerry West. He always said "If they don't like a challenge, you shouldn't be in this game.' Schedules don't scare me, because you've got to play these guys anyway. It's just a matter that you are prepared and ready to play." The Hornets move this season to the Southwest Division with the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies and Mavericks. The Hornets play each team four times -- twice at New Orleans Arena. It is the only division in the NBA in which every team made the playoffs the previous season, although the Hornets qualified in the East, which boasts the champions Detroit Pistons but is weaker top to bottom. The Spurs, led by Tim Duncan, come to New Orleans on Dec. 17 and Feb. 16. The Rockets, led by Tracy McGrady who was acquired in a trade from the Orlando Magic this summer, will play at the Arena on Jan. 26 and March 25. "I think when you look at our division with San Antonio, Dallas, Houston and Memphis, three of those teams were 50-game winners last season, and Houston wasn't too far behind," Scott said. "So I would have to say this is the toughest division." Among the Hornets' top featured home games, Shaquille O'Neal makes his only New Orleans appearance with the Miami Heat on April 2. In a blockbuster trade this summer, the Heat acquired O'Neal in exchange for Lamar Odom, Caron Butler, Brian Grant and a future first-round pick. Last season, the Heat eliminated the Hornets (41-41) in the first round of the playoffs. "You don't have to see the big guy too many times until one of these days we hopefully see him in the finals," Scott said. "I think with him going to Miami, obviously the balance has not necessarily shifted, but it's probably more balanced now than it has been in a long time." The Pistons make their only appearance at the Arena on Dec. 4. For the third consecutive season, the Lakers will make only one trip to New Orleans, on Nov. 9. The Hornets have had sellouts for both Lakers' games the past two seasons. In another change, the NBA is back in business in Charlotte, N.C., with the expansion Bobcats. The Hornets played 14 seasons in Charlotte before they relocated to New Orleans after the 2001-02 season. The Hornets make their first return to Charlotte Coliseum on Dec. 14. The Bobcats play in New Orleans on March 25, and the game will be televised on ESPN. LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, coached by former Hornets coach Paul Silas, play in New Orleans on March 28. Philadelphia's 76ers star Allen Iverson makes his only appearance on Jan. 28. For the second consecutive season, home games at the Arena will tip off at 7 p.m., with the exceptions occurring on Feb. 27 against Denver, March 6 against Toronto and April 10 against the Portland Trail Blazers. Those games will tip off at 6 p.m., because they are played on Sunday. The Hornets will play nine home games on Friday nights and seven on Saturday nights. Seventeen games will be played on Wednesdays, the most on any night of the week. The Hornets want to improve their overall attendance numbers significantly from last season, when they ranked 28th among the league's 29 teams with a 14,332 per game average. Later this month, the Hornets will start their marketing push to sell mini- and full-season ticket packages. "We're very anxious to get the 2004-05 season underway and welcome back the wonderful fans who have been with us since we arrived in New Orleans," Hornets owner George Shinn said in a statement. "And with our move to the Western Conference and a new head coach in Byron Scott, it will be a great chance for new fans to see the superstars of the NBA and how fun, entertaining and exciting Hornets games are in person." . . . . . . . John Reid can be reached at [email protected] or (504) 826-3405. --

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