duncan228
09-14-2009, 12:23 AM
Hornets' hopes rest on how much Paul can sting (http://www.probasketballnews.com/story/?storyid=725)
By Tony Mejia
Pro Basketball News
Editor's note: This is the 11th of PBN's 2009-10 season previews, in which we analyze all 30 teams.
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS (49-33)
How it ended: In a humiliating end to a disappointing season, the Hornets were destroyed by Denver in five games, managing to avoid the sweep by the skin of their teeth. Basically comprised of the walking wounded, the Hornets were a shell of themselves in the playoffs, with the lowlight a 101-63 loss in Game 4. New Orleans regressed defensively throughout the season and was victimized by nagging injuries to Tyson Chandler and Peja Stojakovic among others.
Coach: Byron Scott's seat is a little warm as he comes into the season on the final year of his current pact. Given the way last season ended and with a major piece like Emeka Okafor now on board, look for the early part of the season to be pivotal for Scott in order to avoid an early axe. He won't be out of work long if he and the Hornets do part ways, but his current gig is in jeopardy.
Arrivals: C/F Emeka Okafor, G Darren Collison, F Ike Diogu, F/C Darius Songaila, G Bobby Brown, G Marcus Thornton
Departures: C Tyson Chandler, G Antonio Daniels, F/G Rasual Butler
Projected starters: F Peja Stojakovic, F David West, C Emeka Okafor, G Chris Paul, G/F Morris Peterson.
Position battles: With Stojakovic often injured, James Posey and Julian Wright are in line for big minutes. The Hornets would love if Wright would command more floor time, but he's yet to realize his full potential. Devin Brown is also on board to contend with Wright and rookie Marcus Thornton for time behind likely starter Morris Peterson. Collison should have a leg up on Brown for the sparse minutes available behind Paul, while Diogu and Songaila will challenge holdovers Hilton Armstrong and Sean Marks for minutes up front.
Chemistry experiment: Okafor isn't going to throw off the Hornets by any means, but it sure would be nice to see him and Paul get on the same page offensively. The alley oops should come easy, but refining Okafor's game by getting him the ball in better spots than he's ever seen it could prove extremely beneficial. Getting anyone to ably play off Paul in the backcourt would also be a major enhancement.
Best case: Teaming up with Paul allows Okafor to unveil some offensive tricks we didn't know he had, while Wright, Collison, Diogu and Songaila make for a much deeper bench, helping keep the starters from over-extending themselves. With Stojakovic and Peterson healthy more often than not, New Orleans re-emerges as one of the top teams in the Western Conference.
Worst case: Paul suffers through an injury-plagued season and everything falls apart. Scott is fired, West slumps and Okafor is no more effective in the Big Easy than he was in Charlotte. As a result, the Hornets slip out of the West's top eight, losing their spot to Golden State or Oklahoma City.
Prediction: Clearly, this team's fortunes are tied to Paul and for all our sakes, the best point guard in the game will be around to watch. The key is keeping him interested, which his teammates will do by making enough strides to land New Orleans back in the 50-win club, challenging San Antonio and Dallas for supremacy in the Southwest Division.
By Tony Mejia
Pro Basketball News
Editor's note: This is the 11th of PBN's 2009-10 season previews, in which we analyze all 30 teams.
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS (49-33)
How it ended: In a humiliating end to a disappointing season, the Hornets were destroyed by Denver in five games, managing to avoid the sweep by the skin of their teeth. Basically comprised of the walking wounded, the Hornets were a shell of themselves in the playoffs, with the lowlight a 101-63 loss in Game 4. New Orleans regressed defensively throughout the season and was victimized by nagging injuries to Tyson Chandler and Peja Stojakovic among others.
Coach: Byron Scott's seat is a little warm as he comes into the season on the final year of his current pact. Given the way last season ended and with a major piece like Emeka Okafor now on board, look for the early part of the season to be pivotal for Scott in order to avoid an early axe. He won't be out of work long if he and the Hornets do part ways, but his current gig is in jeopardy.
Arrivals: C/F Emeka Okafor, G Darren Collison, F Ike Diogu, F/C Darius Songaila, G Bobby Brown, G Marcus Thornton
Departures: C Tyson Chandler, G Antonio Daniels, F/G Rasual Butler
Projected starters: F Peja Stojakovic, F David West, C Emeka Okafor, G Chris Paul, G/F Morris Peterson.
Position battles: With Stojakovic often injured, James Posey and Julian Wright are in line for big minutes. The Hornets would love if Wright would command more floor time, but he's yet to realize his full potential. Devin Brown is also on board to contend with Wright and rookie Marcus Thornton for time behind likely starter Morris Peterson. Collison should have a leg up on Brown for the sparse minutes available behind Paul, while Diogu and Songaila will challenge holdovers Hilton Armstrong and Sean Marks for minutes up front.
Chemistry experiment: Okafor isn't going to throw off the Hornets by any means, but it sure would be nice to see him and Paul get on the same page offensively. The alley oops should come easy, but refining Okafor's game by getting him the ball in better spots than he's ever seen it could prove extremely beneficial. Getting anyone to ably play off Paul in the backcourt would also be a major enhancement.
Best case: Teaming up with Paul allows Okafor to unveil some offensive tricks we didn't know he had, while Wright, Collison, Diogu and Songaila make for a much deeper bench, helping keep the starters from over-extending themselves. With Stojakovic and Peterson healthy more often than not, New Orleans re-emerges as one of the top teams in the Western Conference.
Worst case: Paul suffers through an injury-plagued season and everything falls apart. Scott is fired, West slumps and Okafor is no more effective in the Big Easy than he was in Charlotte. As a result, the Hornets slip out of the West's top eight, losing their spot to Golden State or Oklahoma City.
Prediction: Clearly, this team's fortunes are tied to Paul and for all our sakes, the best point guard in the game will be around to watch. The key is keeping him interested, which his teammates will do by making enough strides to land New Orleans back in the 50-win club, challenging San Antonio and Dallas for supremacy in the Southwest Division.