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Photo by Jonathan Bachman

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As the minutes were winding down in the fourth quarter and the Hornets up by more than 20, the few fas remaining in New Orleans Arena stood and cheered for a player coming off the floor. The feat itself isn’t surprising, players who have great games and lead their team to victory usually get ovations. The only thing was that the crowd wasn’t cheering for a Hornets player, they were cheering for D.J. Augustin of the Bobcats.

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This shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise, considering that Augustin went to Brother Martin and the stands were packed with friends, family and 400+ students from his alma mater. By the time the Hornets closed out a convincing 105–89 win, they made up most of the fans that remained and they made themselves heard saluting Augustin’s 28-point game.

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“It felt great,” Augustin said. “I had all of my support here. Everybody from new orleans came to see me play and support me.”

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Photo by Jonathan Bachman

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Coach Byron Scott had his usual pre-game conference with reporters today and, not surprisingly, the conversation centered on the Mike James trade. It was a pretty candid talk and Scott revealed the main reason the trade went down: James had asked for it. It turns out that James wasn’t willing to accept a role backing up Chris Paul and wanted to be more of a scorer. According to Scott, James told him “sitting on the bench is for the birds.”

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Scott revealed that all of this was discussed in a meeting he had with James just five days ago. Scott added that he was surprised how quickly Hornets GM Jeff Bower was able to find a player like Antonio Daniels (a proven veteran who has played in, and has no problem running, Scott’s system) so quickly. In the business of basketball, this was as painless a divorce as you could see, with both sides seemingly happy with the outcome.

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Here’s a full list of quotes on the subject for your perousal:

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Cancel tomorrow night’s plans. Ampersand has an announcement.

 CLUB AMPERSAND presents DJ SAMANTHA RONSON (you know, Lindsay Lohan’s girlfriend) …

No, we don’t. But please, tell us more, ‘cause “Extra,” “Entertainment Tonight,” and every celeblog, supermarket tabloid and word from any “TV personality” on E! haven’t told me enough.

… on Thursday, December 11, 2008  10:00pm. SAMANTHA RONSON: will perform at Club Ampersand as the “FLVR” (flavor)…

Vowel removal is so hot right now.

… of the month for December.  FLVR is a monthly Thursday night at Club Ampersand; featuring Remixes and Mash-ups by Resident DJ Beverly Skillz and the celebrity of our choosing.

Ampersand gets first draft pick in this town. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are on a waiting list. It’s that exclusive.

With all of the recent press coverage about her and her rumored better half, Lindsay Lohan, why wouldn’t you want to see her in person?

You know, you’re right. Your rhetorical question got me thinking, and I have to say, seeing a real-life pseudo-lesbian couple would absolutely be worth the $15 advance ticket price. It’s a bargain, really. I can stare and gawk and bask in their hipsterdom, $9 beer in hand, slowly swaying (ironically, of course) to Jay-Z and Oasis mash-ups.

 Ronson always draws the ‘A’ List crowds, who knows who else will be there.

Don’t tell me. Lindsay Lohan?

Lindsay Lohan is scheduled to make an appearance to support her girlfriend or best friend.

I was right! I suppose my attendance will either confirm or deny their relationship, thus putting me “in the know,” and maybe becoming a potential source for Perez Hilton or OK! Magazine.

This just in - “Santa” is an anagram for “Satan!” And who better to celebrate the Mephistophelean side of Christmas than Spinal Tap, with today’s song, “Christmas with the Devil?” Ho ho ho… in HELL. 

 

 Spinal Tap - "Christmas With The Devil": Play Now | Play in Popup

I can’t get enough of the eminently quotable, real-life David F-ing Mamet character that is Gov. Rod Blagojevich of Illinois…hours of cable-news coverage last night wasn’t enough to slake my f-ing thirst for all the f-ing details in this f-ing indictment. And just when I thought it couldn’t get any f-ing crazier….

Turns out it’s Blago’s birthday today.

Seriously.

So I thought I’d check a few horoscopes to see how 2009 was going to be for the guv who managed to make Edwin Edwards look like Donny Osmond….

Sally Brompton, New York Post:

You will have plenty of fight in you this year but that does not mean you have to fight everyone. If you pick your battles carefully you will win when it counts - and get a reputation as someone who knows how to stand up for what matters in life.

Words to live by.

Holiday Mathis, Los Angeles Times:

Today’s birthday (Dec. 10): You will get to know many new people this year and will take great pleasure in learning as much as you can about them.

Seriously, Governor, that doesn’t sound good.

And my favorite, Georgia Nicols from the gov’s hometown paper, the Chicago Sun-Times:

IF DEC. 10 IS YOUR BIRTHDAY: Actress Emmanuelle Chriqui (1977) shares your birthday today. You appear calm to others. You’re gracious, cooperative and pleasant. People appreciate your sympathetic point of view; you are well-liked. Privately, you enjoy beauty, and you explore your spiritual world. You’re very genuine. A major change has taken place this year for many of you, and now the dust needs to settle. Next year will be wonderfully social and friendlier!

Oh, Governor, that really, really doesn’t sound good. But: happy f-ing birthday!

Today’s meaningless denial, per the Associated Press…

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said Wednesday he’s not interested in a 2012 Republican presidential bid and will seek a second term as governor in 2011. Jindal, who appeared at a news conference to back Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Bob McDonnell, was asked if he was interested in being president.

“No,” he replied.

Jindal’s trip to Iowa last month fueled speculation that he was laying the groundwork for a presidential campaign, and he did not rule out changing his mind over the next few years.

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Photo by Jonathan Bachman

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Well it was bound to happen: the Hornets moved Mike James to the Washington Wizards in exchange for guard Antonio Daniels and a conditional draft pick from the Memphis Girzzlies in a three-team deal announced a couple of hours ago.

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Of course it’s much too early to make any sweeping claims about how the Hornets will benefit from this deal, but it is looking like an upgrade for New Orleans. John DeShazier at the Times-Pic probably put it best:

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If you’ve seen Mike James in action in the Hornets locker room, you know that if there’s anywhere the franchise is going to miss him, it’s in there. There’s no discounting the value of having a player who can work the crowd, keep loose his teammates, find the levity in almost every situation and keep a team from becoming too tight.

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But that ain’t worth six million bucks. And neither was James’ play.

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La Divina Gelateria is giving away free gelato and sorbetto today at its new French Quarter location by Jackson Square.

Shop owner David Marinello calls it a holiday gift to customers. I call it a good excuse to get down there for one of La Divina’s Italian-style sandwiches at lunch and a scoop of their chocolate Azteca gelato for lunch-dessert.

The offer is good only at the French Quarter shop, which is closing early at 5 p.m. today.

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Photo by Jonathan Bachman

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For the record, there’s probably no bigger fan of Julian Wright than yours truly. After all, he was one of the first Hornets to welcome me with open arms when I first started covering the team and let me document his off-court activities. Needless to say, seeing Wright ride the pine most of the season brings me no joy — neither does saying that it may be the right move.

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Anyone who’s watched the Hornets in this early part of the season knows that the Hornets have struggled mightily with their bench play, as noted by the multiple times the second unit has blown double-digit leads built by the first-team offense. Part of the reason for this is because the Hornets’ bench has so many young players and part of it is that Scott still has yet to find a rotation that he’s comfortable with. Both factors have led to erractic and inconsistent play from the second team and, as much as it hurts to say it, Wright hasn’t done much to help that this season.

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Shreveport police are investigating what apparently is a racially motivated hate crime — the beating of a Barack Obama supporter late Saturday night (Dec. 6) at a gas station for wearing an Obama t-shirt and sporting Obama bumper stickers on his vehicle.

Kaylon Johnson, 32, works at Southern University in Shreveport and has worked for months in the Obama headquarters in Shreveport as an IT and office coordinator. Late Saturday night, he was beaten by two white men at a gas station for wearing the Obama t-shirt. The white men reportedly yelled racial slurs and obscenities before attacking and savagely beating Johnson, who was knocked out and hospitalized. He has suffered serious injuries to his eye socket and a broken nose. He will need surgery to recover.

You can read a more detailed account about the incident HERE — and get info on how to contact Johnson’s friends. You can also see other media reports HERE, HERE and HERE. If you want to email well wishes to Johnson, you can do so via obamashreveport@gmail.com.

To all those who are crowing about how the elections of Bobby Jindal and Anh Cao signal a new day in Louisiana, this is a sad, sad reminder that we still have a long, long way to go.