The "National" Media Rains on Our Parade--Again

This morning I went to the ESPN website to get my daily dose of East Coast/New York bias. I wanted to see what their "national" reporters had to say about the Hornets' return to New Orleans. I was already angry with the network for not publicizing the game ahead of time, and then not televising the game in favor of Seton Hall vs. Rutgers (ESPN) and Fairleigh Dickinson vs. Monmouth (ESPN2). So perhaps one of the most important games in the history of the Gulf Coast region was being played, and the ESPN "Family of Networks" was busy giving the country four teams from New Jersey.

But I digress. I turn to ESPN.com's "Daily Quickie," and this is how Dan Shanoff evaluates the Hornets' return to New Orleans:

The good news: The Hornets returned to New Orleans last night, in front of a crowd that might best be described as relieved to have a pro team back in town. It really indicates emerging revitalization.

The bad news: Everyone was reminded that the team stinks in New Orleans, giving up 40 to Kobe in a loss to the Lakers. Sorry to say, the team has more success feeding off of the OKC fan vibe.

Dan, you're not really suggesting that the Hornets lost because they were playing in New Orleans, right? You're not really suggesting that the Hornets would have won if they were playing in Oklahoma City, right?

If you are, jerk, explain this to me:

1. In the Hornets' last game before last night, they blew a 79-71 lead after three quarters IN OKLAHOMA CITY. The team was outscored 30-9 in the fourth quarter (without an injured Steve Nash) as they lost 101-88. WAS THAT NEW ORLEANS'S FAULT?

2. In the game before that, the Hornets set an all-time-NBA low, scoring 16 points in the second half, losing to the Clippers 89-67. WAS THAT NEW ORLEANS'S FAULT?

3. Since the All-Star Break, the Hornets were 2-5 going into the game with the Lakers. WAS THAT NEW ORLEANS'S FAULT?

The Hornets haven't been able to close big games for about a month now. But somehow it's the city's fault. I don't get it.

I'm sorry, but I am so sick of this. People like this get jobs and get the opportunity to shape public opinion. This guy will probably propose, if the Hornets lose all their games in New Orleans--and miss the playoffs by fewer than 3 games, that it will be New Orleans's fault that the Hornets did not make the playoffs. This is the kind of public perception we are fighting across the board--not just in the sports world.

If you think that columns like this are irresponsible, please inform the network and the writer that you are angry. There are links to both on the ESPN website. This has to stop NOW.