ESPN Magazine's 2008 Ultimate Standings list ranked the Hornets the third best team out of 122 NBA, NFL, NHL and MLB franchises. The Hornets ranked No. 2 in the NBA.
These mark the highest rankings the Hornets have ever received in the magazine's Ultimate Standings list since its debut in 2003.
The Hornets received top rankings over-all in the “Bang for the Bucks," which measures how efficiently teams convert revenue dollars from fans into onfield wins.
The Bees also were No. 1 in "Affordability," which considers the price of tickets, parking and concessions and part of the fan experience.
"Our organization is committed to championship performances on and off the court," said Hornets owner George Shinn. "I am extremely proud that the fans recognize our hard work and dedication to being the best."
Off the typewriter...
On the eve of the NFL draft, here are my top three Saints highs and lows:
Worst pick: Johnathan Sullivan, 6th pick, 2003. The Saints gave up TWO mid-range picks in the first round -- the 17th and the 18th over-all -- to take this slow-footed defensive tackle from Georgia. He never got in shape or wanted to play because he already had enough enough money to last for a lifetime. A couple of years after he joined the Saints, when he was on the Inactive List, he was spotted going through the media buffet line at the Georgia Dome. Before he left the city after he was traded to the Patriots, he was spotted pulling out of fast-food restaurants and tossing sandwich wrapper out of his pickup's windows.
Second worst pick dishonor goes to Shawn Knight, one of the late
GM Finks' biggest mistakes. Shawn Knight, 7th pick, 1987. When he finally reported to training camp, defensive line coach John Pease pulled him aside for 10 minutes to show him how to get in a three-point stance. He was traded after one season and never made a mark in the NFL.
Third worst pick: Russell Erxleben, 11th pick, 1979. The Saints used this choice on a punter/kicker from Texas. He didn't like the pressure associated with kicking field goals and only wanted to punt. He was a Texas legend and wound up doing federal time of fraud charges. He was a fraud on the field, too.
Best Saints draft selection ever was offensive tackle Willie Roaf, 8th pick, 1993. One of Finks' final coup before his illness sidelined him for good. Acquired the selection from the Lions for pass rusher Pat Swilling. Roaf was one of the better tackles in the NFL for nine years with the Saints and will join Finks in the Hall of Fame. Off-the-field rumors forced Roaf to leave the Saints for the Chiefs where he enjoyed additional Pro Bowl seasons.
Second best selection" Deuce McAllister, 23rd pick, 2001. Saints' all-time rushing leader. Unlike Ricky Williams, he's on our planet and could recover enough from two knee surgeries to play for the Saints again.
Third best: Will Smith, 18th pick, 2004. Smart, aggressive defensive end who will play in several Pro Bowls before his career is over. Will demand at least the salary increase the Saints awarded Charles Grant, a raise he deserves.
