So expect Ref's, on the other side of the country, to be busy tonight when the Jazz host New Orleans at EnergySolutions Arena. It's fast becoming the correlation between a city and its love affair with its NBA franchise. Indeed, according to Hornets officials, the team has set an NBA record by selling over 11,000 season tickets. Its popularity is growing.

"When the Hornets do well, it lifts people up around here," said Joe Starks, 32, a lifelong city resident who works security at Ref's. "I have a lot of friends who would've never come back here that came back because of the Hornets. They gave us all a little hope, a little something to come back to."

It's been three years since Hurricane Katrina devastated the city. And even today, amidst the joy of Utah's 31-17 win over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, the Big Easy is still not the same, as abandoned buildings dot the landscape.

The Hornets spent the year

following Katrina teetering between New Orleans and Oklahoma City. Because of this, although the conditions made it impossible to stay in the city for the full schedule, there was apathy towards a team that had not all that long ago been a transplant from Charlotte.

"A lot of people thought they were going to leave for good," said Thomas Skaff, 24. "That was a huge fear throughout the city."

The fear was understandable. The Hornets were by no means a fixture in the community. It was common knowledge that Oklahoma City wanted an NBA franchise, and the fact that the team played 35 of its home games there was not a comforting thought for the residents of New Orleans.

But a few things changed the relationship between the city and its fans. Most obvious was Katrina, which devastated everything in its path, leaving damage that would be far more than physical.

Secondly, was the emergence of Chris Paul. Not only has he emerged as the best point guard in the NBA, but his clean cut demeanor off the court, coupled with his charity work, tripled by the fact that he's had no problem with being the face of the city greatly endeared him to the residents.

"I love that about him," Starks said. "He's not the typical arrogant, egotistical athlete. He plays the game with great confidence. He's a leader on and off the court."

Last year the team achieved back to back sellouts in New Orleans during a 41-game home schedule for the first time since the 2002-03 season. That was greatly significant. Last January the franchise signed an amended lease agreement which stipulated for the team to average 14,735 fans until the end of the current regular season. If that didn't happen, an opt out clause would kick in, which would clear the way for the team to leave the city.

That seemed like a significant challenge then. Now, it doesn't seem so daunting, with the number of season-ticket sales that stemmed from a playoff run last season that saw New Orleans advance to the Western Conference semifinals, where it lost to the San Antonio Spurs in seven games.

"Going to playoff games last year was great," said Rob McDougald, 24, an employee of Tulane University's athletic office. "This year the buzz around the team is significant. There are a lot of high expectations."

Heading into tonight's matchup with the Jazz, the Hornets are 20-10 as of Monday night, good for second place behind the Spurs in the Southwest division. More importantly, however, the Hornets are the face of New Orleans, a professional franchise, along with the Saints, that refused to be defeated by natural disaster.

tjones@sltrib.com

The argument lives on

An NBA writer compared Chris Paul to Pearl Jam. How did he rate Deron Williams? ??? D5

Hornets at Jazz

Today, 7 p.m., KJZZ

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