Richard Walker of the Gaston Gazette is reporting that the talk around the league is focusing on what one league source called the Hortnet?s "hidden agenda."  'Some say the Hornets? moves at the startup of the franchise in 1988 indicated a strong leaning toward having white players on the roster.' writes Walker, referring to what many think started what would become a 10-year streak of sellouts early in that first year of 1988-89.  Kendall Gill, Larry Johnson and Alonzo Mourning - all African American players - joined the team in successive years and the fans still remained.  Then the Hornets traded Mourning and the fans also left, and the Hornets have been trying to get the fans back ever since.

Will the skin color of the players help the Hornets cause?  RealGM doesn't see any reason why it should, and perhaps the Hornets should look at their bargaining ploys rather than playing on race.