The New Orleans Pelicans showed up to a familiar scene in the Smoothie King Center on Friday night. Less than half-full at the time of tip, the arena was noticeably quiet, something that has become all too common. Attendees were able to hold conversations with their neighbors at a reasonable volume and almost everyone had an extra seat to provide elbow room.
While that would be ideal for a quiet evening with friends, the atmosphere for a professional basketball game should be dramatically different. When one takes a look at the great home crowds of the league, whether it be Oklahoma City, San Antonio or Golden State, something is decidedly missing in New Orleans: intensity.