Stern: NBA Owes it to New Orleans to Return

<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">NEW ORLEANS ? The day started with President Bush touring the area and chastising Congress for shortchanging the city.

It ended with a basketball game.

There are issues of politics and appropriations, of construction and depopulation, the NBA is not qualified to discuss. So commissioner David Stern and the Hornets did what they could Wednesday, which was build a home, stage a game and pledge fidelity to a city the NBA swears it has not forgot.

"What we're doing here is largely symbolic," Stern said, holding a hammer as he and some of the league's players and legends worked on a home in the Lower Ninth Ward. "But it tells everyone that we've got to help. We've got to do better."

The Hornets' 113-107 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers was the first professional sporting event in New Orleans since Katrina hit. You can debate the significance of the moment. Providing relief from the drudgery and uncertainty of everyday life is nothing compared to the $1.5 billion in financial relief President Bush said Congress needs to approve.

What struck the Hornets players, who were chased to Oklahoma City by the storm more than six months ago, was the cruel juxtaposition of progress and paralysis.

Rookie Chris Paul said a chill went up his spine as he gawked at the uprooted trees and realized how much work needs to be done. Veteran P.J. Brown was surprised that downtown was so vibrant.

He then went to the gas station in New Orleans East he frequented before Katrina and found it was no longer there.

Stern spent a large part of his day in meetings with everyone from the Louisiana Reconstruction Authority to the governor. He was given encouraging reports about the city's port and hotel industry. Stern was briefed on the city's schools, banks and biomedical research and told about the $100 billion in public and private investments coming the city's way.

Then, he walked through parts of the city where trash was piled waist-high, where molding carpet, discarded furniture and corroded refrigerators lined the street.

"There is an enormous amount of economic activity here," Stern said. "But the thing you can't get away from is that certain aspects of the reconstruction seem to be stalled. You have to see the devastation to understand its scope and impact."

Stern says the league has a social responsibility to return to New Orleans for the 2007-08 season. But you can argue it's irresponsible to return when there are so many more important issues to be addressed.

"Sports is a big part of our culture in America," Brown said. "But we have to prioritize and make sure we take care of the most important things first like housing, jobs, hospitals and schools.

"If everything works out there and is going right, I'm all for bringing the team back."

Others remain skeptical. Lakers coach Phil Jackson voiced doubts about whether the city had the corporate base needed to support a franchise.

Hornets coach Byron Scott echoed that opinion and conceded he and the players were spoiled because the crowds have been so large and raucous in Oklahoma City.

That explains why the sellout crowd of 17,744 at New Orleans Arena ? a rarity since the franchise moved to the city three-and-a-half years ago ? booed when Scott was introduced.

"I would say to Byron let me make that decision and he should focus more on basketball," Stern said. "And if you see him, tell him that. We're going to be back."

Owner George Shinn wasn't as strong. Shinn has been unabashed in his enthusiasm for Oklahoma City and hesitant to publicly commit that the Hornets will return to New Orleans. When pressed on the issue Wednesday, he said he planned to return but cautioned, "I can't forecast. What if another Katrina hits this summer?" </div>

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