It seems like fans of the two true New Orleans professional teams just can’t get a break.
As most NFL football fans recall, the Saints went a pedestrian 8-8 in 2003, mostly underachieving throughout the season but occasionally showing the true talent they do possess.
And then there is the Hornets, who at press time were a mediocre 40-41 with a chance to pull to .500 against a below-average Washington Wizards team.
The Hornets may be even more perplexing than the Saints because they make a habit of beating the best teams in the NBA and often losing to some of the worst.
And therein lies the true problem.
Most New Orleanians know their teams could be much better and possibly challenge for a championship at one time or another. The frustrating part of it is that they don’t. Much like the city’s laid-back demeanor, it seems like its teams have a kind of laid-back attitude toward winning.And because of such a tradition of mediocrity that has become inherent in the Saints, it appears their fans have adjusted to losing.
Nothing could be worse.
When the fans don’t demand championships and all-stars, the team doesn’t provide it.
Last season, New Orleans Saints fans bought season tickets in droves, setting a franchise record of 53,734 season tickets sold. This was after one of the most disappointing seasons in Saints history, when New Orleans finished 9-7 in 2002 but lost its final three games and was on the outside looking in on the playoffs.
Maybe it’s just loyalty, but that can only go so far. With disappointment after disappointment and failure after failure, it’s amazing how dedicated Saints fans are. Just imagine how crazy it would be if the Saints ever started consistently winning.
Now the Hornets are a different story.
After coming to New Orleans in 2002 and having a relatively successful season (that of course concluded with a first round exit in the playoffs), a lot was expected from the Bees.
They’ve laid quite a big egg in 2003-04. Some attribute it to injury, but with Jamal Mashburn in the lineup, it seemed like they got worse.
And others attribute it to the team not playing for new coach Tim Floyd, who replaced the well-liked but fired Paul Silas.
Whatever the cause, the fans have taken it to heart, as the Hornets have ranked near the bottom of the NBA in total attendance throughout the season. Talk about a short honeymoon period.
Even more painful to New Orleans Saints and Hornets fans is the success of the city’s minor league teams.
The minor league baseball Zephyrs have won a Triple-A World Series before, while the expansion Arena Football team VooDoo is off to a 7-2 start.
While these results bring joy to New Orleans fans, they are a mere tease to those who cheer for the Hornets, and most importantly, the Saints.
So I think it’s about time for New Orleans fans to give the Saints an ultimatum.
When the country is making a choice for president on Super Tuesday in November, the city of New Orleans needs to be making a choice around the same time.
If by the time the presidential election comes around the Saints do not have a winning record, New Orleans should drop all support for their lovable losers.
It won’t happen, but at least we can threaten Benson and his boys.