While visiting the city of New Orleans, add a New Orleans Hornets Basketball game to your too do list. Featured below is background information for New Orleans Hornets Basketball and ticket purchasing options. Please call our sponsor at 1-888-529-5800 for more information and additional details. Thanks for stopping by and supporting AARoads.com.

New Orleans Hornets Travel Information

In 2000 the National Basketball Association returned to the Crescent City as the move of the Charlotte Hornets franchise from Charlotte, North Carolina to New Orleans, Louisiana became official. The 14-year history of the Charlotte franchise ended and basketball in New Orleans returned after a 21 year absence (the New Orleans Jazz moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1979 after five years in New Orleans). In their first season in the bayou country, the Hornets started an 11-0 run at home, setting a franchise record. At the end of the campaign the Hornets netted the 5th seed on the NBA playoffs and lost their opening round foray versus the Philadelphia 76ers and Allen Iverson.

The Charlotte Hornets joined the NBA on April 22, 1987 in a four team expansion of the league with the Miami Heat, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Orlando Magic. Charlotte and Miami began play in 1988 and the Timberwolves and Magic followed in 1989. The nickname Hornets was derived from the historic nature of the name and the city of Charlotte. The Hornets were also the nickname of Charlotte's minor league baseball team and World Football League franchise.

Tim Pickett, the 44th overall player selected in the 2004 NBA Draft signed with the franchise on August 3. The former Florida State Seminole was a First Team All-ACC and earned ACC All-Defensive Team honors and averaged 16.5 points and 4.5 rebounds and a .407 shooting percentage from the three-point line during his senior year. Pickett joints Hornets All-Stars Jamaal Magloire and Baron Davis for the New Orleans season opener versus the Dallas Mavericks on November 3. The franchise has netted a .500 or better winning percentage for 12 consecutive seasons.

First round draft choice J.R. Smith signed with the Hornets in July and was the 18th overall selection in the 2004 draft. Smith joins the club out of St. Benedict's Prep in Newark, New Jersey where he averaged 23.9 points and 5.0 steals as a senior. He accomplished First Team All-State as a junior and senior, Second Team All-State as a sophomore and Third Team as a freshman. Jamaal Magloire (11.0 ppg and 9.10 rpg), Baron Davis (18.1 ppg), and Jamal Mashburn (20.8 ppg) led the 2003-04 Hornets.

The New Orleans Hornets play their home games at New Orleans Arena in downtown New Orleans, Louisiana. The New Orleans Arena resides at 1501 Girod Street New Orleans, Louisiana 70113 and has a seating capacity of 17,200 for basketball. The venue opened for business on Oct. 19, 1999. Photos taken by Andy Jung (2002). See more photos by Andy Jung at jungworld.com!

Directions to the New Orleans Arena:

	From Interstate 10 (Pontchartrain Expressway) eastbound, utilize the U.S. 90 Business ramp (Exit 234A) to Claiborne Avenue (U.S. 90). A flyover ramp carries traffic from the Pontchartrain Expressway onto U.S. 90 (Claiborne Avenue) eastbound at both the New Orleans Arena and New Orleans Superdome. Photo taken 10/03.
	Interstate 10 westbound follows a six-lane viaduct north of the Vieux Carre and the central business district. Exit 235B for Canal Street serves the New Orleans Arena and Superdome via Claiborne Avenue (U.S. 90). U.S. 90 actually parallels Interstate 10 below the elevated highway and directly serves the homes of the New Orleans Hornets and Saints. Photo taken 03/02.
	When utilizing Claiborne Avenue (U.S. 90) westbound underneath Interstate 10, take the Poydras Street ramp to access the New Orleans Arena and New Orleans Superdome. U.S. 90 westbound itself elevates over Poydras and Perdido Streets so that there is no direct access to the sports venues. However by using the Poydras Street ramp, motorists can turn southward via Poydras Street or Perdido Street to Clara Street, Sugar Bowl Drive, and the stadium areas. Photo taken 10/03.

New Orleans Hornets Tickets for Sale

New Orleans Arena Seating Chart

New Orleans Area Road Links

• New Orleans @ SouthEastRoads.com
• I-49 South - Lafayette to New Orleans (Stephen Gantry)

Page Updated September 7, 2004.