Hornets Preview (that will eventually dissolve into a love letter to Chris Paul)
A guest post by Drew Ludeke
As a basketball lover whose favorite team is more discombobulated than Emmit Smith trying to form a sentence, you learn to look elsewhere for a team to be entertained by and also root for. Last year, that team was the New Orleans Hornets. It wasn’t just the alley-oops, the game-breaking three’s, their formidable defense, rebounding and shot-blocking or even Chris Paul’s breakout season; it was the permanent groove that the whole team existed in where they knew what needed to be done to win the game. It took a ton of flops and a Robert Horry elbow to David West’s back to knock them out of the playoffs and you better believe they would’ve given the Lakers a tougher run to the Finals but alas, it is a new season so here’s what they’re working with now…
The X Factor
Some analysts have said that the Hornets should’ve spread their money around a bit more, plugging up the frontcourt bench or on a reliable backup for Paul, rather than betting it all on thirty-one year old journeyman James Posey and only hindsight will determine his long-term effectiveness. For now, he will automatically provide the team numerous positives in terms of lockdown defense, boosting team morale, hustle, versatility from the 1-3 and most importantly, hitting the wide open three on the break. The possible long-term negatives will revolve around his age, possibly overpaying for him and the effect that contract will have on the rest of the team should West, Chandler or Paul be out for an extended period of time and the bench can’t pick up the slack. All that matters now is that the words of inspiration he whispers in every player’s ear before tip-off will make them a better team.
(Possible) Weakness:
Frontcourt Depth- David West and Tyson Chandler aren’t exactly known for their longevity so their health could become an issue as the season wears on. Cross your fingers and consult your local witch doctor.
Curse of Beijing
If I ever own an NBA franchise, every major contract would forbid players from participating in any extracurricular competition. Stern would have me tarred and feathered for it and people would say I’m un-American but it’s simply a better business decision in case your superstar point guard suffers a horrific injury because he played in international competition that summer. I’m not saying it’ll happen but if it does, remember where you heard it. If Monta Ellis can’t ride a motorcycle, Chris Paul and Co. shouldn’t play FIBA ball.
The Bench
Hilton Armstrong sounds like he should be a preppy at a yacht club but should continue to be a valuable backup to David West especially if he keeps developing. The same goes for Julian Wright who may have to fight for minutes behind Peja and Posey but he can play the two, three and Byron Scott’s apparently convinced he could even play the point in a pinch so I think he’ll have a major impact this season. Not to insult Mike James but the New Orleans faithful will actually miss Jannero Pargo a little bit this season when he’s not around to keep the ball moving for the few moments Paul catches his breath. Morris Peterson’s more than reliable but he’s more of a shooter than the true point they need. That being said James should be reliable. I’d like to hope that Devin Brown contributes something valuable off the bench but I’m not holding my breath. Melvin Ely has a name fit for a 70s soul singer, looks like one of Slim Charles’ muscle and he plays like it. Those were compliments by the way. And what about Bonzi Wells? He hasn’t been arrested, sidelined by a venereal disease or a lack of sobriety playing in a city that’s home to vice and high crime rates… yet. I’m hoping that it stays that way.
Peja!
The dirtiest beard in the NBA with one of the most reliable three-point shots. Sure, he’s slowed down a bit with injuries and age but I’ll always remember him for those daggers he was hitting for those Kings teams that got robbed earlier in the decade. Thinking about that made me feel old.
The Revolution, The Truth, The Standard
I’ve been wasting my breath talking to anyone willing to listen for the past 9 months or so that Chris Paul is the most exciting player to watch in the NBA right now. My grandmother, hobos, jerks who stopped caring about basketball once Jordan retired, toddlers, the deaf, you name it, they know about him. Aside from gushing adoration for Paul, I particularly told the jerks who thought the NBA sucked now while they were busy digesting their fantasy football waiver wires that the league was on the verge of another renaissance. At the head of that emerging golden age was the true point guard, leading the break, making the dish or slicing through the lane like a brain surgeon with a scalpel. It’s a step back from the superstar-driven play of the 90s and a huge step forward towards exhilarating team basketball. Jason Kidd’s Nets, Steve Nash & Mike D’Antoni’s Suns deserve all the credit for getting the ball rolling on this but now the new generation is taking the reins over. The leader of that new generation is none other than Chris Paul.
Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing in at 175 lbs., you’d be hard pressed to believe that this man can play with the likes of Kobe, Lebron or Garnett but what he lacks in size he makes up for in will and his refusal to lose. After watching as many games as possible and spending the offseason watching the plethora of youtube clips of him repeatedly in between the Olympic games, I find myself struggling to describe what makes him so damned good. I guess the only thing to say is that a great basketball player is not only great himself but makes those around him better and while he has his own individual talents, Paul’s innate ability to improve his teammates is why most agree he was last year’s MVP. He even makes me want to play better. Watching Chris Paul makes me appreciate basketball so much that I’ve spent the summer working on my lefty dribbling and my mid-range jumper and my career will probably never go further than a random pick-up game.
So while I’ve got newfound reason to start liking my Knicks again and I’ve got a new favorite team to watch this season (Blazers), I’m going to stick with the Hornets or whatever team Chris Paul plays with. Why? Because I’ll never know what he’s going to do next but I’ll always know what to expect: amazing basketball. Many an analyst have said that while Paul is set to have another great season, don’t expect any more fireworks from the Hornets. They spent too much on Posey, West is injury prone, Paul doesn’t have a reliable back-up, and their bench is a weak question mark. Most of all, everyone thinks that everyone knows they’re coming this time around and won’t be surprised. I agree with everything except for the last statement. With Paul leading the show, opponents will never know what’s coming and despite the price with the addition of Posey, they’re primed to have a big year. My prediction: Hornets 1st in the Southwest, 2nd in the Conference and my pick to face the Rockets or Lakers in the Conference Finals.
If the past three paragraphs were pure gibberish to you, just watch these….
The Smiling Assassin
Problem Child
The Standard?!?
It’s what we’re proposing, nay, demanding be Chris Paul’s official nickname. He’s called CP3 right now but what kind of nickname is that other than his initials and number? It’s bland for such an exciting player and it sounds like C-3PO, who was the lamest robot in science fiction. So taking matters into our own hands, we’ve come up with the Standard. I believe the editor put it best recently, Chris Paul is The Revolution, The Truth, The Standard by which all PGs will be measured for the next decade, therefore, The Standard. If you don’t like it, we’re willing to hear suggestions but have you ever tried coming up with a decent nickname for someone other than a retarded drinking buddy? At the very least, you can agree CP3 should go so try to spread the word about The Standard, use it in a conversation, post it on a blog. Chris Paul deserves it after giving you so much.
As a basketball lover whose favorite team is more discombobulated than Emmit Smith trying to form a sentence, you learn to look elsewhere for a team to be entertained by and also root for. Last year, that team was the New Orleans Hornets. It wasn’t just the alley-oops, the game-breaking three’s, their formidable defense, rebounding and shot-blocking or even Chris Paul’s breakout season; it was the permanent groove that the whole team existed in where they knew what needed to be done to win the game. It took a ton of flops and a Robert Horry elbow to David West’s back to knock them out of the playoffs and you better believe they would’ve given the Lakers a tougher run to the Finals but alas, it is a new season so here’s what they’re working with now…
The X Factor
Some analysts have said that the Hornets should’ve spread their money around a bit more, plugging up the frontcourt bench or on a reliable backup for Paul, rather than betting it all on thirty-one year old journeyman James Posey and only hindsight will determine his long-term effectiveness. For now, he will automatically provide the team numerous positives in terms of lockdown defense, boosting team morale, hustle, versatility from the 1-3 and most importantly, hitting the wide open three on the break. The possible long-term negatives will revolve around his age, possibly overpaying for him and the effect that contract will have on the rest of the team should West, Chandler or Paul be out for an extended period of time and the bench can’t pick up the slack. All that matters now is that the words of inspiration he whispers in every player’s ear before tip-off will make them a better team.
(Possible) Weakness:
Frontcourt Depth- David West and Tyson Chandler aren’t exactly known for their longevity so their health could become an issue as the season wears on. Cross your fingers and consult your local witch doctor.
Curse of Beijing
If I ever own an NBA franchise, every major contract would forbid players from participating in any extracurricular competition. Stern would have me tarred and feathered for it and people would say I’m un-American but it’s simply a better business decision in case your superstar point guard suffers a horrific injury because he played in international competition that summer. I’m not saying it’ll happen but if it does, remember where you heard it. If Monta Ellis can’t ride a motorcycle, Chris Paul and Co. shouldn’t play FIBA ball.
The Bench
Hilton Armstrong sounds like he should be a preppy at a yacht club but should continue to be a valuable backup to David West especially if he keeps developing. The same goes for Julian Wright who may have to fight for minutes behind Peja and Posey but he can play the two, three and Byron Scott’s apparently convinced he could even play the point in a pinch so I think he’ll have a major impact this season. Not to insult Mike James but the New Orleans faithful will actually miss Jannero Pargo a little bit this season when he’s not around to keep the ball moving for the few moments Paul catches his breath. Morris Peterson’s more than reliable but he’s more of a shooter than the true point they need. That being said James should be reliable. I’d like to hope that Devin Brown contributes something valuable off the bench but I’m not holding my breath. Melvin Ely has a name fit for a 70s soul singer, looks like one of Slim Charles’ muscle and he plays like it. Those were compliments by the way. And what about Bonzi Wells? He hasn’t been arrested, sidelined by a venereal disease or a lack of sobriety playing in a city that’s home to vice and high crime rates… yet. I’m hoping that it stays that way.
Peja!
The dirtiest beard in the NBA with one of the most reliable three-point shots. Sure, he’s slowed down a bit with injuries and age but I’ll always remember him for those daggers he was hitting for those Kings teams that got robbed earlier in the decade. Thinking about that made me feel old.
The Revolution, The Truth, The Standard
I’ve been wasting my breath talking to anyone willing to listen for the past 9 months or so that Chris Paul is the most exciting player to watch in the NBA right now. My grandmother, hobos, jerks who stopped caring about basketball once Jordan retired, toddlers, the deaf, you name it, they know about him. Aside from gushing adoration for Paul, I particularly told the jerks who thought the NBA sucked now while they were busy digesting their fantasy football waiver wires that the league was on the verge of another renaissance. At the head of that emerging golden age was the true point guard, leading the break, making the dish or slicing through the lane like a brain surgeon with a scalpel. It’s a step back from the superstar-driven play of the 90s and a huge step forward towards exhilarating team basketball. Jason Kidd’s Nets, Steve Nash & Mike D’Antoni’s Suns deserve all the credit for getting the ball rolling on this but now the new generation is taking the reins over. The leader of that new generation is none other than Chris Paul.
Standing at 6 feet tall and weighing in at 175 lbs., you’d be hard pressed to believe that this man can play with the likes of Kobe, Lebron or Garnett but what he lacks in size he makes up for in will and his refusal to lose. After watching as many games as possible and spending the offseason watching the plethora of youtube clips of him repeatedly in between the Olympic games, I find myself struggling to describe what makes him so damned good. I guess the only thing to say is that a great basketball player is not only great himself but makes those around him better and while he has his own individual talents, Paul’s innate ability to improve his teammates is why most agree he was last year’s MVP. He even makes me want to play better. Watching Chris Paul makes me appreciate basketball so much that I’ve spent the summer working on my lefty dribbling and my mid-range jumper and my career will probably never go further than a random pick-up game.
So while I’ve got newfound reason to start liking my Knicks again and I’ve got a new favorite team to watch this season (Blazers), I’m going to stick with the Hornets or whatever team Chris Paul plays with. Why? Because I’ll never know what he’s going to do next but I’ll always know what to expect: amazing basketball. Many an analyst have said that while Paul is set to have another great season, don’t expect any more fireworks from the Hornets. They spent too much on Posey, West is injury prone, Paul doesn’t have a reliable back-up, and their bench is a weak question mark. Most of all, everyone thinks that everyone knows they’re coming this time around and won’t be surprised. I agree with everything except for the last statement. With Paul leading the show, opponents will never know what’s coming and despite the price with the addition of Posey, they’re primed to have a big year. My prediction: Hornets 1st in the Southwest, 2nd in the Conference and my pick to face the Rockets or Lakers in the Conference Finals.
If the past three paragraphs were pure gibberish to you, just watch these….
The Smiling Assassin
Problem Child
The Standard?!?
It’s what we’re proposing, nay, demanding be Chris Paul’s official nickname. He’s called CP3 right now but what kind of nickname is that other than his initials and number? It’s bland for such an exciting player and it sounds like C-3PO, who was the lamest robot in science fiction. So taking matters into our own hands, we’ve come up with the Standard. I believe the editor put it best recently, Chris Paul is The Revolution, The Truth, The Standard by which all PGs will be measured for the next decade, therefore, The Standard. If you don’t like it, we’re willing to hear suggestions but have you ever tried coming up with a decent nickname for someone other than a retarded drinking buddy? At the very least, you can agree CP3 should go so try to spread the word about The Standard, use it in a conversation, post it on a blog. Chris Paul deserves it after giving you so much.
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10:06 AM
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