The Hornets Mean Bizness
| 6
|
by Nejoshi
Quick question: Which team has the best record in the loaded Western Conference? The answer may surprise you, but it’s the New Orleans Hornets, who at 4-0 are one of only two unbeaten teams
Last night’s 118-104 beat down of the drama-riddled Lakers at Staples was a coming out party of sorts for a team that received zero hype during the preseason. Led by a rejuvenated Peja Stokajovic and the underrated Chris Paul, New Orleans beat down the streaking Lakers. L.A. came in having beaten Phoenix and Utah in succession, looking like a much more balanced squad than Kobe ever gave them credit for. But, it was the Hornets that proved to be the balanced machine, taking it to the Lakers at every corner. New Orleans has done it with several playmakers all season, making them impossible to prepare for. Paul set a franchise record by dishing out 21 assists, – against only two turnovers – while Stokajovic had a blast from the past as he hit 10 3’s from downtown, something no Hornet had ever done before either. Three others joined Paul and Stojakovic in double figures, a recurring theme for this team all season.
Behind talk of Golden State’s historic upset last year, the soap opera of the Lakers, or the youth movements in Seattle and Portland, its no wonder that New Orleans was having trouble getting talked about. Well, here’s a tip: you better start talking about these guys because they are legit. A season ago, Byron Scott’s club struggled with injuries all year long, but still contended for a playoff spot until the final week of the season, giving them confidence that they had the pieces to make a playoff run like the Warriors or Clippers of the past. Early in 2007-08, the Hornets are healthy and look ready to take the Western Conference by storm.
It may be early, and it’s not likely the Hornets can stay atop the Western Conference standings until April, but this developing team has a lot of reasons to feel optimistic about being a sure-fire playoff team. Top to bottom, the Hornets have players who fill their roles perfectly, and play with a hunger that makes everyone around them better.
All great teams are led by a dynamic point guard, and there’s really no other way to describe what Chris Paul is for this team. In three short seasons in the NBA, Paul has become one of the leagues best as a pass-first point that can score when the time’s right. It didn’t matter who the Lakers put on him, he would find a way to make the right play over and over again, either with a perfect pass or a pretty jump shot. Watching Paul do his thing on the court probably made Kobe realize what’s been missing during his frustrating tenure in Los Angeles.
Tyson Chandler has been an underachiever in the NBA since he was drafted out of high school in 2001, but he finally started to show flashes of his ability to handle the boards last season. The 7-foot center finally broke through and became the force in the middle that was expected, putting up career highs in points and rebounds. This year, Chandler is playing with the same kind of ferocity down low, and looks like a young Marcus Camby that can provide a jolt for the team during droughts. Joining him is David West, another capable rebounder that can also provide the Hornets with some much-needed scoring down low as well. He’s capable of a double-double on any given night.
Providing the balance from the outside are the sharpshooting tandem of Stojakovic and Morris Peterson, who have made careers out of hitting the trifecta. Paul is able to penetrate the lane and draw defenders with ease, creating openings from the perimeter that these two guys will take advantage of. Stojakovic had a year from hell a season ago, but he’s making up for it as the team’s leading scorer and most experienced veteran. He’s hit at least four from downtown in three of the Hornets games, and is showing no signs of slowing down after his 36-point performance Monday night.
Later this week, New Orleans gets to host the defending champion Spurs in a very early showdown for Southwest Division supremacy. In their first full year back in the city that was struck by Katrina, the Hornets have already provided a competitive team for the fans to root for. Amazing. Looks like the city of New Orleans has another Cinderella sports franchise it can rally around.
