--The idea behind the team holding training camp in New Orleans came about mainly because Hornets' brass suspected it could help the team build unity. So far, the results have been favorable.

The Hornets have added seven new players to the roster since the end of last season, and have 10 players who weren't in training camp last season. The early indication is that the bonding is indeed taking place with the team being together exclusively in New Orleans.

"We all hang out together all the time," said Rasual Butler, the team's second-year forward. "Either guys are going out to eat together or playing cards together. Everybody likes each other. We're much further ahead than when I was here last year."

--New Orleans mayor Ray Nagin stopped by the team's training camp during the first week of practices at New Orleans Arena and, at coach Byron Scott's request, spoke to the team.

"He even gave them a number to reach win-wise," Scott said. "I was like, 'Come on, my man. You can't be giving out that type of number. That's a high number.' It was like 50."

QUOTE TO NOTE
"This is the hardest training camp I've ever been in. Maybe because I'm getting old." -- Bobby Jackson, the Hornets' 33-year-old guard, on his first ever training camp with the team.

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