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Photo by Jonathan Bachman

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It’s always good when you have a division rival come into town, your team’s star point guard breaks the record in steals and it’s likely not even the biggest storyline of the night. In the end, people will remember is New Orleans Hornets 90, San Antonio Spurs 83. And while it’s still December, the Hive hasn’t been that loud in a while.

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Completely lost in the shuffle of the Mikes James-for-Antonio Daniels trade that went down last week is this gem: the James family appearance on ABC’s “Supernanny”. Of course, since James now plays for the Wizards, this should be of much more concern to Washington media and fans. But at the same time, could you imagine if this episode (which aired on Friday night) had come out before the trade went down?

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The video is quite painful and I don’t recommend you wasting too much time on it. Instead, check out the quotes transcribed by the invaluable asset that is Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post. It’s not pretty and, needless to say, the Hornets look incredibly smart to have been able to trade a potential locker-room nuisance so quickly and for such a good player in Daniels.

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Oh, and for the record, I don’t think that James is as bad as the show makes him out to be. My experience led me to believe that he was very smart and engaging, if not a little bit self-obsessed, but not the type of guy to drag down an entire franchise around him out of spite (though it’s not like he had much time to do that). But after watching most of the episode, it’s a safe bet Hornets fans are happy James is wearing a different uniform.

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All photos by Jonathan Bachman

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Anyone who was watching NBA Shootaround last Friday before the Hornets game against the Celtics may have seen excerpts from this video of Tyson Chandler hooking an 11-pound red fish. Yes, that is yours truly behind the video camera, intrepid Gambit photographer Jonathan Bachman taking pictures, and former Gambit Editor Clancy DuBos telling Chandler to keep his fishing pole up while snaring in his catch.

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You can find the full story here, though that ESPN story omits the fact that Tyson’s brother-in-law’s name is Brown Andrews and that the “other local writer” is in fact Clancy. Other tidbits, and a slew of pictures, after the jump.

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Read the rest of this entry »

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Photo by Jonathan Bachman

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It may be little consolation for Saints fans but Drew Brees was officially announced to the NFC Pro Bowl roster and will be making his second trip to Hawai’i as a Saint. Brees, the fan’s top vote-getter, will be the only Saint going to the Pro Bowl this year, which isn’t too surprising considering every other Saint player seems to be injured.

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Sure, injury jokes have been an easy stand-by for most of this season, but did you realize that Reggie Bush has been placed on the IR? That’s right, for the second time in three seasons, Bush will be sitting out the Saints final set of games with a season-ending knee injury.

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Oh, and apparently Deuce McAllister’s knee was bothering him more than anyone would let on all season. What else is new?

- Read the rest of this entry »

by Clay A. Smith

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 Photo by Jonathan Bachman

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The New Orleans Saints are officially eliminated from the playoffs and are still searching for answers after their loss to the Chicago Bears — for the third consecutive year. Now it’s time for fans to start embracing the Sounds of the Fat Lady. Even though the Saints are officially out of the playoff picture, without an offensive coordinator for the remainder of the season, Coach Sean Payton and Reggie Bush aren’t seeing eye to eye, and their are concerns about Bush’s knee, there are a few bright spots. They honored offensive tackle Jon Stinchcomb as their Man of the Year and Drew Brees for his stellar season. But hopefully we can expect changes for the Saints in 2009.

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Fortunately, days after the Hornets fell short against the hot Celtics, they are starting to click on all cylinders after a trip north of the border. With Paul leading the way, Butler delivered, and West scored 29 in Hornets’ 99-91 win over the Raptors. And with new addition Daniels, the Hornets have the back-up point guard that they desperately needed to make a run at a championship.

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Credit the Birmingham News for going right after the issues that matter in the days leading up to the 75th Annual Sugar Bowl. Specifically, for clarifying the University of Utah’s stance on drinking:

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“There are some misconceptions about the University of Utah around the country and we’re always happy to clear them up,” Barron said. “We’re not affiliated with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We are a diverse population. We have many thousand non-Mormon students here.”

And the bar industry of the New Orleans breathes a little more easily.

-Yes, because Alabama fans are known for their stoic sobriety, so you can’t count on them to boost bar revenues. Oh, and forget about New Year’s the day before the game, who stays up for that? Read the rest of this entry »

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Photo by Jonathan Bachman

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After calling the season dead more than a month ago, and then promptly ressurecting it, then thinking the team was going on a run, then burying them again, then holding out hope for another two-straight wins, Saints fans can finally say, with absolute certainty, that the 2008 season is over.

-“What more can you say?” indeed.

- Read the rest of this entry »

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Photo by Jonathan Bachman

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Today on the Scuttlecast I’d like to introduce a new feature: The Five Minute Drill with the intern Clay Smith. Clay will run down five stories (in hopefully five minutes) that he thinks New Orleanians should be checking out.

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Also joining us today is special guest Brett Martel, the New Orleans-based Associated Press sports writer who covers the Hornets and Saints regularly. Brett and I will be discussing the Hornets recent trade for point guard Antonio Daniels and the Saints chances tonight against the Chicago Bears.

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Music today is courtesy of Sick Like Sinatra.

 

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Gustav, Ike… Frosty? My kids have now seen snow come down twice in New Orleans and my oldest is only 7. So much for “it never snows here!” Global warming will be a tough sell for them too.

Aside from the kids going completely bonkers over the weather, the best image of the day was my neighbor HOSING the snow off his car this morning. Which is just about as clever as putting out a fire with a blowtorch.

No need to decorate outside the office….

And out on Bienville Street, a sight not often seen….

Unfortunately, it’s now all turning to sleet and the pain begins (the I-310 and the Huey P. are both closed). Be careful out there.