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Hornets learning what it's like to become the hunted
Mike Monroe
The Hornets' run to the Southwest Division le and the second-best record in the Western Conference was one of the top stories of the 2007-08 season.
What they have discovered this season is a lesser version of the truth all defending champions know: There are no easy games when opponents circle them on their calendars.
New Orleans' loss Saturday night at the AT&T Center dropped them three games behind the Spurs in this season's race for a division le that actually means something this season, given the guarantee of being seeded among the top four teams in the conference that goes with it.
Expectations are difficult to manage.
“Yeah,” Hornets coach Byron Scott said before Saturday's game, “because expectations definitely have been different, and I don't think our guys reacted well at the beginning of the season to being one of the hunted teams, rather than being the hunters.”
New Orleans' great start last season, its first back in The Big Easy after two post-Katrina seasons in Oklahoma City, was the feel-good story of the season. Scott knew his team was able to take advantage of opponents who didn't regard it as an elite outfit.
“Up until the All-Star break last season, I didn't think anybody really took us seriously,” he said. “After the All-Star break, and we still had the best record (in the West), people started to say, ‘Man, they are a good basketball team.'”
His players motivated by perceived disrespect, Scott's team played with a nothing-to-lose approach.
This season, things are different.
“Going into this year, with all the expectations, and some of the writers even picking us to go all the way to the Finals, that had a big impact on us, because of the fact people expected us to be good,” he said. “So we went into a lot of games a little tight, instead of loose and relaxed, the way we did last year.”
Tension sometimes seems to manifest itself in chippiness. The Hornets got three technical fouls in their loss to the Spurs, and after one foul on Chris Paul that the 2008 MVP runner-up believed undeserved, he barked at Gregg Popovich: “Nice call, Pop.”
Still, Scott believes his team is getting back to the loosey-goosey approach that served it so well last season.
“The last couple of weeks, we've kind of gotten over it,” he said. “We've gone back to just having fun and enjoying it. Whatever happens, happens.”
What has happened to the Hornets recently have been injuries to their big-man tandem of Tyson Chandler and David West. Paul scored a season-high 38 points on Saturday, but with Chandler out and West still struggling with his shot in his second game back from a back strain, the Spurs had an easy time of it.
Now the Hornets can fall back into their preferred persona: the underdog with something to prove.
“We can't put anymore pressure on ourselves,” Scott said. “Everybody else will put enough pressure on us: the opponents we're playing; what people are saying in the community and around the league. That's enough pressure right there.
“We've been playing as hard as we can. We can't worry about what anybody is saying. We've just got to go out and play.”
hey, you're back.
Yay! 228's back! Yay!
Good job by the hornets losing today. Here's Chris Paul reaction to it!
Remember when the Hornets--I think Byron Scott, was whining about being overlooked and how his team was underappreciated last year???
Be careful what you wish for.
Chris Paul is seen here nailing himself in the junk before spinning to the floor and drawing a foul from Brandon Roy.
Uh 228 where you've been? Don't tell me to london to visit the queen.
GODDAMNIT!
CP3's on my fantasy team...
You really need to stop being a computer server.
his nuts just did a barrel roll and it ain't too much fun.Good job by the hornets losing today. Here's Chris Paul reaction to it!
Why????
I love seeing duncan228 postings! Welcome back duncan228! We miss you!
What I mean is she should sleep and stop being a round the clock server. She never seems to sleep.Why????
I love seeing duncan228 postings! Welcome back duncan228! We miss you!
classic
they lost a 15 point lead in the 4th quarter tonight
blazers put in 38 points on them in the 4th
Without chandler's defense, they are not a very good team
Monroe should have just posted in exstatic's thread.
I know. Ain't she special?
Tension sometimes seems to manifest itself in chippiness. The Hornets got three technical fouls in their loss to the Spurs, and after one foul on Chris Paul that the 2008 MVP runner-up believed undeserved, he barked at Gregg Popovich: “Nice call, Pop.”
Q: What did Chris Paul say after Tweeking his Groin?Good job by the hornets losing today. Here's Chris Paul reaction to it!
A: Wooo!!!......Wooo!!!
Monroe should have just posted in exstatic's thread.
Complete collapse last night by the Hornets after CP went down with groin injury at the end of the 3rd quater vs Portland. They dropped a 17-point lead, Portland outscored them 38-15 in the 4th quarter
Total metldown at the Hornest Nest: http://hornetsreport.com/HRForums/forumdisplay.php?f=2
you can't really call yourself a contender when your pretty much a lottery team w/out your superstar. that plus the fact that your superstar is a whiny y baby
Is Scott a good coach or an ass that eventually rubs players the wrong way or has he been dealt primja donnas that are difficult to manage.
Recall SJax and J.R. Smith. Now he is butting heads with some of the Hornets.
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