Inside New Orleans with Eric Asher Oct. 21, 2026

All right, folks, Pelicans open up tonight, the 25-26 regular season.

First, the Pacers in the Smoothie King Center.

That is a 7 o'clock tip.

It will be on Fox 8 and the Gulf Coast Sports and Entertainment Network locally and across, again, the Gulf Coast.

It is the 25th season for the franchise here in New Orleans.

George Shin owned the franchise after relocating it from Charlotte from 2002 to 2010, eight years.

The NBA, again, purchased the team, took over the team from George Shin.

In 2010, they owned it for approximately 16 months, almost two years.

And then, of course, was sold to Tom and Gail Benson in 2012.

They've owned it, again, from there to the present, like 14 years.

So, again, we're in a 25th year celebration of basketball returning to New Orleans.

Remember, the New Orleans Jazz were here.

Again, as an expansion franchise from 1974 to 1979 before bolting to Utah.

So, again, the 25th anniversary of, again, basketball, pro basketball back in New Orleans.

I'm not sure what's going on with it.

I haven't heard a lot about it.

Okay.

Maybe it's because the Bensons have only owned the franchise for 14 years.

You know how they are about that.

So, again, but I would think there should be some type of a celebration for the 25th anniversary of, again, the team relocating to New Orleans.

With that said, also, it would be nice if Pistol Pete Maverick's jersey would be rehung in the rafters of the Smoothie King Center and maybe start looking at trying to do something for Chris Paul.

again, who, again, as far as this franchise is concerned, is the best player, again, ever to put on a New Orleans uniform as a Hornet.

And, of course, he never made it as a Pelican, so as a Hornet.

As far as the Pacers go, they're going to be without Aaron Nesmith tonight.

He's got a left hamstring injury.