The Hornets opened their inaugural season in New Orleans on October 30, 2002, against New Orleans' original NBA franchise, the now-Utah Jazz. In the first regular season NBA game played in New Orleans in over 17 years, the Hornets defeated the Jazz 100--75, and posthumously retired #7 of ''Pistol'' Pete Maravich during halftime. The Hornets finished the season with a 47--35 record but were defeated by the Philadelphia 76ers in the First Round of the 2003 playoffs. Following the season, the team unexpectedly fired head coach Paul Silas and replaced him with Tim Floyd. The Hornets began the 2003--04 season strong with a 17--7 start but sputtered at the end and finished 41--41. They lost to the Miami Heat in the First Round of the 2004 playoffs. After the season, Floyd was fired and the team hired Byron Scott as its new head coach.

What's the best answer to this question: did new orleans have a basketball team before the hornets?
yes