Spring Break
Hornets Creating Quite A Buzz Out West
NBA
Joe Colombo
Issue date: 1/31/08 Section: Sports
The New Orleans Hornets are so hot right now.
Remember when Larry Johnson was a Hornet? They were sweet to watch 12 years ago. I mean, I didn't have the purple screen-printed No. 2 Charlotte Hornets jersey for nothing. But even though they don't play in North Carolina and Grandma-ma isn't on the team anymore, the relocated franchise has never looked better.
After failing to reach the postseason for the past three seasons, it seems that their streak of not playing in late April and beyond will be a thing of the past. Once again, this franchise is sweet to watch.
This time, there's no LJ, no Muggsy Bogues, and no Alonzo Mourning either. Instead there's Chris Paul, David West, and Tyson Chandler.
These three young stars have carried their team to the top of the Western Conference. Yes, the top. That means they have a better record than the Dallas Mavericks, the Phoenix Suns and the defending champion San Antonio Spurs.
After finishing with a disappointing 39-43 record last season, the hottest team in the NBA has won nine straight games, and their last seven were victories of 14 points or more. These nine games weren't all guarantees, either. The streak includes victories at Houston, at San Antonio (by 24) and at home versus Denver (by 24).
But they aren't just winning games, they are downright dominating them.
Who would have thought Paul and company would have been this good right now, especially after a sub .500 performance in 2006-2007?
Not me, and not you either (just admit it, it's alright).
Currently the Hornets (32-12) have the second best record in the NBA, behind the Boston Celtics (35-8). There are no superstars on their roster - unless you include the fabulous sophomore Paul. There's just one former NBA all-star - Peja Stojakovic. And best of all, there's one player from Storrs - Hilton Armstrong.
Paul leads the overachieving roster in scoring (20.6 points per game) and assists (10.7 per game). While dishing out the second most dimes on average in the league, he's recording an average of only 2.6 turnovers per contest. It's quite impressive for a second year player. But, no player is as good without a supporting cast.
Remember when Larry Johnson was a Hornet? They were sweet to watch 12 years ago. I mean, I didn't have the purple screen-printed No. 2 Charlotte Hornets jersey for nothing. But even though they don't play in North Carolina and Grandma-ma isn't on the team anymore, the relocated franchise has never looked better.
After failing to reach the postseason for the past three seasons, it seems that their streak of not playing in late April and beyond will be a thing of the past. Once again, this franchise is sweet to watch.
This time, there's no LJ, no Muggsy Bogues, and no Alonzo Mourning either. Instead there's Chris Paul, David West, and Tyson Chandler.
These three young stars have carried their team to the top of the Western Conference. Yes, the top. That means they have a better record than the Dallas Mavericks, the Phoenix Suns and the defending champion San Antonio Spurs.
After finishing with a disappointing 39-43 record last season, the hottest team in the NBA has won nine straight games, and their last seven were victories of 14 points or more. These nine games weren't all guarantees, either. The streak includes victories at Houston, at San Antonio (by 24) and at home versus Denver (by 24).
But they aren't just winning games, they are downright dominating them.
Who would have thought Paul and company would have been this good right now, especially after a sub .500 performance in 2006-2007?
Not me, and not you either (just admit it, it's alright).
Currently the Hornets (32-12) have the second best record in the NBA, behind the Boston Celtics (35-8). There are no superstars on their roster - unless you include the fabulous sophomore Paul. There's just one former NBA all-star - Peja Stojakovic. And best of all, there's one player from Storrs - Hilton Armstrong.
Paul leads the overachieving roster in scoring (20.6 points per game) and assists (10.7 per game). While dishing out the second most dimes on average in the league, he's recording an average of only 2.6 turnovers per contest. It's quite impressive for a second year player. But, no player is as good without a supporting cast.
Viewing Comments 1 - 4 of 4
Bro
posted 1/31/08 @ 11:15 AM EST
OH BABY Muggsy is the man
Nice one Bro
CPO
posted 1/31/08 @ 1:17 PM EST
You would have a purple jersey.
Well played article, what about how bad Durrant is? or how good portland would be if they had Oden.
Boston is terrible they would get dominated in league one suffolk county varsity. (Continued…)
Rev Riddi
posted 1/31/08 @ 5:42 PM EST
Best sports analysis since Ray Romano! Great team to keep an eye on.. especially because of their disastrous 06-07 season. Another team to keep an eye on would be the New York (Playoff bound) Knickerbockers. (Continued…)
Dubbs
Dubbs
posted 2/01/08 @ 4:00 PM EST
Yea man I agree David West is an absolute stud, one of the most underrated players in the NBA. Hornets are looking good thus far, but like you said, lets see if their young talent can withstand the heated playoff push, along with the Spurs, pending if they all get healthy again. (Continued…)
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