Stern not concerned about N.C. franchise

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NBA commissioner David Stern is confident the Bobcats will succeed in Charlotte and predicted Thursday that the franchise will be among the league's best in two years.

The Bobcats' reception in Charlotte has cooled in the three years they've been here, with attendance ranking near the bottom of the league despite a sparkling new arena. Team owner Bob Johnson has been criticized for a series of poor business decisions, as well as a perception that he's unwilling to spend money to sign top talent.

The organization is also restructuring — leading to changes in management, a series of layoffs and the decision to stop operating the WNBA's Sting.

Despite all of that, Stern believes the Bobcats will make it in Charlotte.

"I have no doubt that, what I consider to be the window that expansion teams have — which is year five — this is going to be one of the shining franchises of the NBA," Stern said Thursday night before the game between Charlotte and Orlando.

Asked why he is so certain, Stern said he based his belief on his past experiences and the new direction Johnson is taking on the business side of the franchise. Stern cited the Bobcats' new guidelines against handing out free tickets and an emphasis on increasing sales on partial season-ticket packages.

NEW ORLEANS COMMITMENT: Hornets owner George Shinn is now leaning toward playing a full home schedule in New Orleans, backing away from the idea of asking the NBA's permission to play some home games in Oklahoma City next season.

"Probably the best thing to do is give it a 100 percent chance here, and if it doesn't work it doesn't work. And if it works, God bless us," Shinn said Thursday shortly before the Hornets hosted San Antonio in New Orleans Arena. "We're going to need a lot of help. I know it's not going to be easy, but we're going to give it our best shot."

Shinn said progress continues in talks with a group of local businessmen that is expected to buy a minority share of the team and then use its influence in the community to promote and sell the team.

"The fact they're local people and they're strong people, they have business connections, family connections ... just adding local people adds strength to the whole community," Shinn said.