There can’t have been one soul on this earth who openly thought that this would happen.
The New Orleans Hornets just beat the San Antonio Spurs 102-78.
In San Antonio.
Talk about sending a message..
People, tell me if I’m mistaken but weren’t the Hornets supposed to be a borderline playoff team? Well unless the definition changed they have proved to be anything but. Fact: New Orleans has the 2nd best record in the NBA. No Amy Winehouse it isn’t the crack…the Hornets are (record-wise) the second best team in the National Basketball Association.
I would have bet everything I owned if someone had said that to me before the season. There is not a soul who could have convinced me. I don’t care if you sent Maria Sharpova, Carrie Underwood and the ghost of Jenny McCarthy I still would have stuck to my guns. How on earth are we at the end of January, nearly three weeks before the All-Star break and the New Orleans Hornets have the best record in the Western Conference? 31-12? I didn’t even think they would be top-3 in their division let alone the sheeshing conference. And imagine if they were still playing in Oklahoma City and actually had a homecourt advantage. I shudder to think what they would be doing in front of a crazy packed house instead of half empty arenas.
I’m not sure you’re fully comprehending my complete sense of shock here. To fully send my message of surprise home, here are the exact words I used to talk about the Hornets before the season. Really pay attention here:
“It wouldn’t be surprising if the Hornets snatched the 7 or 8 seed and it wouldn’t be surprising if they didn’t. On paper they have a strong core; Chris Paul, a great post one-two punch of Tyson Chandler and David West and Peja Stojakovic. Peja has to be healthy for this thing to work, Chris Paul has to be healthy for this to work and guys like MoPete and Julian Wright have to contribute and pan out. There are no for sure clear answer with the Hornets which is why it could go either way with them. They are a couple injuries away from being close but so far.
…this is a borderline playoff team simply based on the fact that they need too many things to fall in the right place for them to be successful.”
On paper they were decent. They were a team who no one could really put a read on (like the Lakers) and could have played spoiler. However many just like myself couldn’t put much faith or stock into them. Last year they were supposed to jump into playoffs. Though like the Lakers, New Orleans was a team that got ravaged by the injury bug. Thus instead of making the leap into playoffs they had to settle for sleeping outside.
Well….lets take a look and see if anything has fallen in place:
Tyson Chandler has played 41 games this year. Why is this significant? Because so have the Hornets. Chandler used to get hurt more than the lead actress in a romantic comedy. Not only has he stayed healthy but he has remained consistent. Last year he broke out averaging 9 and 12. Then he impressed on Team USA. Naturally everyone was expecting a letdown or an injury. Definitely didn’t happen: he’s averaging 12 points and 12 rebounds. 4th in the L in rebounds behind Dwight, Camby and Kaman. Beast. Also he’s 3rd in the league in field goal percentage at 60.4% behind Bynum and Biedrins. Yes the majority of his offense might be offensive rebounds or easy dump-offs…but ask Kwame Brown or Kendrick Perkins how hard it is to convert those.
And his partner in crime? David West. West has also played in 41 games this year. Why is this significant? Because he only played in 52 last season and 74 the year before that. West is having a career year: 19.4 points per game and 9.4 rebounds per game. To put that in perspective he’s averaging just as many points as Tim Duncan, is in the top 30 and is top 20 in rebounds. That’s a hell of a player right there and unfortunately Al Jefferson will get more All-Star love than him. Although I’m sure he won’t mind one bit.
Peja Stojakovic has played in 37 games this year. Now why is this significant, he’s obviously missed 4 you’re losing me here. I know that’s what you’re thinking. This is significant because he played in 13 games all of last year. Never doubt me. Peja may only be averaging 14.9 points per game and shooting 42%…but a healthy Peja spreads the floor. And when you have a dangerous low post threat (West) and a guard who can get to the basket at will (you already know who) this helps immensely. He’s averaging 2.8 threes a game and is shooting a career high 44.9% from behind the arc.
Throw MoPete on the floor and you have two beasts, two shooters…and…well…
- Chris StinkinCrappin Paul. If I had a vote he would be my MVP. He averages 20 points, 10.5 assists and 2.6 steals. Not sure you’re understanding this people. He’s #2 in the L in assists, tied with Jason Kidd and behind Steve Nash. That would be the definition of elite company. He leads the league in steals. And he finds time to be in the top 20 in scoring. But his greatness reaches far beyond statistics. He is a big-time baller and has elevated the Hornets to a new level. He can get to the basket anytime he wants, has no fear in crunch situations but also knows it is his job to both score and create. A balance that few stars can walk without falling.
In addition to those guys…New Orleans is #4 in the NBA in points allowed per game behind Boston, Detroit and San Antonio. All those weapons AND they play D? Yikes. They hold opponents to an average of 92.8 a game. Equally as impressive? Not only that they just held the Spurs to 78 but also dropped 102 on them. In addition their bench may be the definition of serviceable. There is absolutely nothing special about the likes of Rasual Butler, Bobby Jackson, Jannero Pargo, Melvin Ely and Hilton Armstrong. But they play their roles, play hard and in turn give N.O. quality minutes. What more do you need from a bench?
So let’s take a look at what we have here:
Low-post scorer….check.
Big man who can rebound and provide a defensive presence…check.
Point guard….check.
Shooters….check.
Star who can finish at the end of games….check.
Defense…check.
Bench….check.
We really should have seen this coming…