Editorial: Are the Hornets Contenders or Pretenders?

[layupdrill]

Are The Hornets Contenders of Pretenders?
Beyond The Numbers
A LayupDrill.com Exclusive The New Orleans Hornets, who currently sit at 18-9, hold the third best record in the West, and, on paper look to be doing just fine. Yet, if you have paid attention to New Orleans, and how they have played against some of the better teams in the league this year, you would quickly realize if they want to contend for the NBA le, there is something missing.
The way the season ended for New Orleans, there was so much to look forward too this year. Losing Game 7 in their own building to a gritty San Antonio Spurs team left a bitter taste in Chris Paul’s bunch, but with the addition of 2 time NBA champion James Posey, things were gonna be different this year. Right?
When you think of the current group of legit NBA le contenders, there are four, and perhaps five that come to mind. The Celtics, Lakers, Cavs, Spurs, and Magic. Chris Paul has put up his normal numbers, but at times he has often found himself without a solid second scoring option in the biggest spots. David West, Tyson Chandler, and Peja Stojaovic all have the ability to light it up offensively, but all of them lack the defensive toughness needed to win games in April and May. The Hornets offensive capabilities will not give them a large enough margin to outscore the likes of Portland, Denver, or Phoenix in the playoffs either. So given the current roster, what move, if any could be made to make New Orleans better right now?

• Trade Tyson Chandler.

There have been rumors circulating around the net that Tyson Chandler could get moved. The front line defensive play of the Hornets has looked terrible at times, though there have been times they have been lucky to win. Take last nights game vs. the Indiana Pacers
, in which Danny Granger, Troy Murphy, and Roy Hibbert combined for 41 points in the first half on New Orleans.
With those type of numbers being put on you, where could you turn for help? Only two teams may be looking to utilize a streaky big man like Chandler. The Pistons could finally decide to go in a different direction, and move veteran Rasheed Wallace to New Orleans for Chandler. This helps both teams now, and in the future for salary cap reasons. Chandler has one more year guaranteed at 11.8 million dollars, with the player option in 2010/11 for 12.75 million. Many around the Hornets feel Chandler could opt out and test the free agent waters after next summer regardless.
Another team that may be able to help could be the Chicago Bulls, who have enough Portland Trailblazers, who have serious front court depth, and may be interested in using Chandler for offense, and Greg Oden for defense in the 5 spot.
What are your thoughts on moves that could help the Hornets emerge from pretenders to contenders? Drop a comment here or as always, discuss in our brand new message boards! If you haven’t signed up for the boards yet, what are you waiting for?

[endrity]

By the way the Lakers have handled them the last 2 years, no! If you wanna be the best you gotta beat the best and they don't match up at all with the Lakeshow. Yes CP3 is really good, and West to a certain extent, but they just don't have a lot of quality outside those two I think.

[Armando]

For know I think of the Hornets as pretenders. An elite team does not allow the Lakers (granted the best team in the West right now) to go into New Orleans and beat them twice in convincing fashion.