How far will the Hornets go this year?

[atxrocker]

Beating top notch western conference powerhouses in their arena by over 25.. are these guys the real deal? How far do you predict they will go in the play offs?

[Kori Ellis]

2nd round.

[bonesinaz]

I agree, 2nd round.

[ducks]

they will get swepted by the spurs if they play them

[Spurs Brazil]

They are good but they are out in the 1st round

CP3, West, Chandler will be all rookies in the playoffs

[E20]

NOH are the real deal. Although this is not their year, this is a team that looks to be in the mix in the next several seasons.

Props to D-West that guy waited through thin and thick and now he's going to be a part of a winning squad. Plus he's doing wonders for my fantasy team. This guy is relatively uknown/underrated.

[hoopdreams11]

Depends on how good they make adjustments. Tonight Pop could have put Bruce on CP3 to shut down that pick and roll but he didn't.

[BonnerDynasty]

out in 1st round unless they stay at the top and get one of the two bottom shitty teams.

[ducks]

I think denver could beat hornets
ai and melo have playoff experience

[ludda]

I like their chances. Their only knock is their bench and playoff experience.

Am I the only one that likes their chances against the mavs and Suns??

[MaNu4Tres]

If they shoot like that every night, they should get really deep.

[DazedAndConfused]

They will not beat the Spurs in the playoffs.

They are good enough to beat the following teams though: PHX, DAL, DEN, HOU, POR, LAL(if Bynum doesn't return), GSW. I wouldn't worry about playoff experience with these guys, CP3 is cool as a cucumber. This guy doesn't fold under pressure, Peja has had a ton of playoff experience, their coach has had a ton of playoff experience.

[JamStone]

The core players for the Jazz were playoff rookies last year and they made it to the Western Conference Finals.

[Spurs Brazil]

Peja has had a ton of playoff experience

Peja chokes in the playoffs more than Dirk

[Spurs Brazil]

The core players for the Jazz were playoff rookies last year and they made it to the Western Conference Finals.

They played the rookie Rockets and the rookie Warriors, then we killed them

[DazedAndConfused]

Playoff experience matters, but that doesn't mean a team won't go anywhere in the playoffs because they don't have any. The Jazz lost to the Spurs because the Spurs were a flat out better team, not because they lacked playoff experience.

[JamStone]

Does it matter who they played? They made it to the conference finals in the West.

[tlongII]

They could win it all if they stay healthy. Chandler and CP3 have a history of injuries though.

[ducks]

many would say dallas would have went further then they did last year
playoffs it matters who they match up with and health
hard to say
I like denver chances against them

[meta2007]

They have a good chance to play Golden States in the 1st round, and that will be fun to watch.

[T Park]

Out in the first round.

They are a team that relies on the jumper, and a team that has a scorer named Peja thats nuts shrink up faster than KG's in the playoffs.

[Budkin]

They'll flame out by season's end. They might make the second round, but the playoffs are a different story. Just ask the Mavs.

[ploto]

Tonight Pop could have put Bruce on CP3 to shut down that pick and roll but he didn't.
Bruce was too busy shutting down Peja-- oh wait, Peja had 22 points. :lol

[Slinkyman]

farther then dallas

[ploto]

It really depends on if they can stay healthy for once.

[Spurs Brazil]

Bruce was too busy shutting down Peja-- oh wait, Peja had 22 points. :lol

Peja scored that many because Spurs rotation D sucks, not because of Bruce

[debo]

all the way to their season's end

[DazedAndConfused]

They won't fold like Dallas. CP3 is not that kind of player from what I've seen this season. He has consistently elevated his game in clutch moments.

People need to give some credit to this squad, they have the #1 spot in the WC and they aren't doing it with an inflated record. They are beating good teams on the road handily.

[Kori Ellis]

Peja scored that many because Spurs rotation D sucks, not because of Bruce

Exactly, Bowen was switching off and the other player wasn't rotating.

Bowen and TP actually did a good job frustrating CP3 for stretches of the game.

The Spurs didn't lose because of CP3 or Peja. They lost because they stopped scoring and because they let David West beast on them.

[T Park]

I personally wouldn't have switched so much.

If Bowen would've been allowed to stay and hound on Peja, it would've been a different story.

I'm sure Im wrong on this.

[TDMVPDPOY]

they will only go as far cp3 takes them

but it also depends on their cast, peja is a choke artist we know that

[ludda]

They won't fold like Dallas. CP3 is not that kind of player from what I've seen this season. He has consistently elevated his game in clutch moments.

People need to give some credit to this squad, they have the #1 spot in the WC and they aren't doing it with an inflated record. They are beating good teams on the road handily.

Dallas was clutch last year in the regular season too, they didn't win 67 games by blowing people out. Regular season does not = playoffs.

No one is discrediting the Hornets just b/c we're not not all jumping on the Lakers/Hornets bandwagon. We know the West is tough...we also know its only January.

That said, I think the Hornets have a great chance of making it far. I don't see them coming out of the West. They have a weak bench and if they continue playing at a high level, there will eventually be a letdown sometime closer to the playoffs that could be a disadv.

[Hemotivo]

I personally wouldn't have switched so much.

If Bowen would've been allowed to stay and hound on Peja, it would've been a different story.

I'm sure Im wrong on this.
a couple of 3 made by peja and a couple missed by R.Horry; i think that was the key moment

[JamStone]

Peja has choked in the playoffs in the past. Difference is he's not even one of the first two options on the team. He's really a complimentary role player now. The Kings tried to make him Chris Webber's co-star. Decisions will be made by CP3. And, either he or David West will be the primary option. The Hornets are solid. They have a very well balanced starting line-up. They do lack some front court depth. But, they match up well with pretty much any team in the league. It doesn't mean they'll go deep in the playoffs. But, they have as good a chance as most teams the way they have developed as a team.

[Spurs Brazil]

a couple of 3 made by peja and a couple missed by R.Horry; i think that was the key moment
And another thing, Peja 3s were after the ball move, Horry just got the ball with 20 on the clock and fired

[ploto]

Exactly, Bowen was switching off and the other player wasn't rotating...

The Spurs didn't lose because of CP3 or Peja. They lost because they stopped scoring and because they let David West beast on them.
Ya'll missed my point. The poster claimed the simple solution was to put Bruce on Paul, but the problem for the Spurs is that the Hornets have too many outside weapons. Bruce can't cover everybody.

[Hemotivo]

And another thing, Peja 3s were after the ball move, Horry just got the ball with 20 on the clock and fired
yep

[tlongII]

Peja has choked in the playoffs in the past. Difference is he's not even one of the first two options on the team. He's really a complimentary role player now. The Kings tried to make him Chris Webber's co-star. Decisions will be made by CP3. And, either he or David West will be the primary option. The Hornets are solid. They have a very well balanced starting line-up. They do lack some front court depth. But, they match up well with pretty much any team in the league. It doesn't mean they'll go deep in the playoffs. But, they have as good a chance as most teams the way they have developed as a team.

Good post. I agree with just about everything you said. Peja is probably a 4th option actually behind CP3, West, and Chandler.

[ploto]

The Hornets are solid. They have a very well balanced starting line-up. They do lack some front court depth. But, they match up well with pretty much any team in the league. It doesn't mean they'll go deep in the playoffs. But, they have as good a chance as most teams the way they have developed as a team.
I never liked Byron Scott but I have to give him credit.

[T Park]

The poster claimed the simple solution was to put Bruce on Paul, but the problem for the Spurs is that the Hornets have too many outside weapons

Udoka on Paul, Bowen on Peja.

You shut him down, slide Duncan over to west.

You don't show all your damn cards in January.


This team honestly equates to the Raptors of last year.

Big time paper tiger.

[TDMVPDPOY]

they had the same run like 2 seasons ago, peakn early in the season, then folding when hampered by injuries

now its the same case, as long none of their core are injured, lets see what this healthy hornets team can ride out this season into the playoffs......

[ploto]

Udoka on Paul, Bowen on Peja.

Udoka will not start over Finley. Sorry.

[Pistons < Spurs]

They're a very solid team that people need to prepare for in the playoffs.

Depending on matchups, they could end up in the WCF's. They're 22-8 vs the rest of the West...next best would be the Spurs @ 18-11. And they're 16-5 on the road...also the best such record of Western teams.

Their big 3 are great. Each one capable of being dominate at their position on any given night.

They have a PG that can create for others, a big that controls the glass and in West they have a solid all around player that does a little bit of everything. Role players like Peja and Mo can hurt you from the 3.

They don't have the best bench out there ... but they do a fairly good job of using what they have, not extending the majority of the starters minutes. Paul and West are the only one seeing more than 36 minutes....and at their age I don't think it's much of a problem. Bobby Jackson and Pargo offer quality of depth at the PG position. Butler and Bowen also serve their purpose.

Their one of the better rebounding teams, 3pt shooting teams, FT shooting teams (though they rank last in FT attempts), and defensive teams.

A second round loss is most likely, but I won't at all be surprised if they go farther.....or stumble in the first! But with some playoff experience this year and the development of Julian Wright...if he pans out, could be the missing pieces for this team.

[JamStone]

Actually Dallas' 19-6 Conference record is the best in the West.

[1Parker1]

2nd Round. Experience becomes a bigger factor in the playoffs. And they aren't a good home team....they don't get much fan support unfortunately in NO and that I think would help them more. Plus, I still think their bench is too iffy to consider them a legit contender.

Though it does look like CP3 is settling the debate once and for all of who's better: D Will or CP3?

[T Park]

Udoka will not start over Finley. Sorry.

Who said anything about starting?

[T Park]

though they rank last in FT attempts

Wich is gonna be a huge downfall of theirs.

Lack of attempts = jumpshooting team = non contender.

[Pistons < Spurs]

Actually Dallas' 19-6 Conference record is the best in the West.
Good catch. I was paying more attention to # of wins than I was the percentages.

[Pistons < Spurs]

Wich is gonna be a huge downfall of theirs.

Lack of attempts = jumpshooting team = non contender.
Then the Spurs better watch out as they're ranked 26th out of 30 teams, only getting 2.7 more attempts! :lol

[T Park]

Then the Spurs better watch out as they're ranked 26th out of 30 teams, only getting 2.7 more attempts

Well lets look at it logically.

Who do the Hornets have that you would say is a "slasher, or dribble penetrator that gets you consistent FTs.


Chris Paul? Check.

Tyson Chandler? eh...

David West? hes too busy camped out above the circle.

Peja? Playa please, that dude gets scared when someone runs at him to defend his jumper.

Mo pete? uh no.



They are in my eyes a jump shoot version of the Spurs in 01 02.

Good shooters, a good defensive big man.

A big man that can knockdown jumpers, but no penetrators.

Pistons? Hamilton, Wallace, Billups, and more and more.

[Pistons < Spurs]

Well lets look at it logically .................

I wasn't all that serious man!!!@ Hence the smiley!

[T Park]

I wasn't all that serious man!!!@ Hence the smiley!

HEY THIS IS A SERIOUS DAMN THREAD!!!

:lol

[T Park]

Usually the smiley is used for evil and not joking pistons<Spurs

I should've known better with you :toast

[slayermin]

Bruce was too busy shutting down Peja-- oh wait, Peja had 22 points. :lol

According to Yahoo, Stojakovic's lifetime field goal percentage against the Spurs is 35.8% in 28 games. That percentage will go up, a little, after tonight.

Spurs know how to shut him down.

[rascal]

Difficult to answer without knowing the playoff matchups. They could go out in the first round or 2nd round depending on matchups.

Being a young them with little to no playoff experience they still have to learn how to win in the playoffs so I don't expect them to make it very far. If they get past the first round they did well.

[T Park]

According to Yahoo, Stojakovic's lifetime field goal percentage against the Spurs is 35.8% in 28 games. That percentage will go up, a little, after tonight.

Spurs know how to shut him down

exactly.

Back in November he was 1-6 and a total non issue and the Spurs rolled.

IMO, the difference between this game and that was letting Peja get off and opening up the halfcourt.

[ploto]

According to Yahoo, Stojakovic's lifetime field goal percentage against the Spurs is 35.8% in 28 games. That percentage will go up, a little, after tonight.

Spurs know how to shut him down.
Not as part of this Hornets team.

[ploto]

Back in November he was 1-6 and a total non issue and the Spurs rolled.

IMO, the difference between this game and that was letting Peja get off and opening up the halfcourt.
You are majorly overestimating his role on this team. If the Spurs are using their best defender on him, they will be in trouble.

[T Park]

You are majorly overestimating his role on this team. If the Spurs are using their best defender on him, they will be in trouble.

Uh, their best defender who is a wing, on their best wing player.

Yeah far fetched I know....

[shelshor]

Win 1st round, out in the 2nd

[endrity]

Depends on matchups. Either Dallas, NO, or Spurs will be the 5th seed because of how the standings are set up.
I think NO loses to the Spurs, Mavs, and Lakers with a healthy Bynum. Teams that can counter their size will be tough for them. But their chances against Denver, GS, Phx are great. So who knows, maybe they matchup with denver in the 1st round, phx in the 2nd and all of a sudden they are in the conf finals. Isn't that what happened with Utah last year?

[exstatic]

Does it matter who they played? They made it to the conference finals in the West.
:lol Actually it does. There are three contenders in the West: SA, Dallas, and PHO. The first time Utah faced any of them, they lost. It IS all about your matchup. Of that trio, I don't see NO beating any of them, except maybe PHO if they go cold from outside.