The NBA and some of its finest athletes played its first game inside the ETSU/MSHA Athletic Facility since a 1994 pre-season game between the same teams. The New Orleans Hornets hosted the Atlanta Hawks in front of 5,933 fans. While the Hornets were the home team, it was the Hawks that put on a show, winning the game 84-74, giving them their first win of the pre-season.

The Hornets were playing their third game in four days, including a game the night before in Indiana against the Pacers. Hornets all-star point guard Chris Paul played only the first quarter finishing with three points and four assists in 12 minutes.

Paul was happy with his team’s effort even in defeat.

“That was a good team we played over there,” said Paul. “We held them to 84 points. We just have to get better on the offensive end.

“It’s all about effort. I think a lot of times you can make up for talent with effort plays. We are still in the process of trying to find what our identity is, but everything with us begins and ends on the defensive end.”

Paul is from Raleigh, N.C., a three-and-a-half hour drive from Johnson City. He played a Pop Warner football game here when he was 10, so he is familiar with the area.

“It’s good to come and play in a college town,” he said. “I think college is the best time in a persons life.”

Monty Williams, first year head coach of the Hornets, is also familiar with the Tennessee area. His in-laws lived in Clarksville for a short time.

“The people here are all about hospitality,” said Williams. “Everyone was really nice. I think it was really good for this city to have an NBA team come and play.”

The Hornets were led in scoring, with 13 points, by their newly acquired shooting guard Marco Belinelli.

Two of the Hornets’ starters Emeka Okafor and David West did not play due to injuries, but they were the only Hornets not to see the floor.

The Hawks were led by all-star Joe Johnson who scored 22 points and played 33 minutes. Former No. 2 pick Marvin Williams finished with 15 points in 32 minutes.

After the NBA game, Paul took time to speak with the ETSU men’s basketball team.

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