Looking at the roster of the Hornets, they have a legit chance of making the playoffs. I know, stating the obvious maybe, but looking at their starting line-up, they might surprise some teams this year.Starting five (well, what I think will be the starting five)PaulMasonStojakovicWestChandlerbenchB. JacksonM. JacksonButlerNot bad, not bad at all. The problem with this team is this: their big men. Chandler is injury prone, so if he goes down, who will start for him? Marc Jackson didn't fit in with my Nets last year, but if Chandler goes down, can he start? I don't think so. In fact, I think Chandler isn't good enough to start in this league.If they had one of two big guys (besides West, who isn't that big, good payer though) who could actually do some damage on the boards, they could have a great season. But now.... it will be a good season, but nothing more. 8th seed, knocked out in the first round.
Your forgetting to mention Cedric Simmons and Hilton Armstrong...not to many teams have the Hornets depth and talent at the PF and C spots. Should be an awesome year for them adding Peja Stojakovic and the inside depth. I hope Paul stays injury free.
To be honest I don't know much about Simmons and Armstrong, that's why I didn't include them.But depth at C and PF? I'm not sure about that. Simmons and Armstrong have to prove themselves. And as I said in my previous post: Chandler should be nothing more than a backup center in this league, so other than West, who else could give them quality minutes, not counting the rookies?Jackson? Not sure. Linton Johnson III? Well, his name says it all: he should be your third forward coming off the bench.
I agree, they will be a major scoring threat, but their lack of defence will kill em' in the long run.
The hornets are going to be very good in a couple of years if they can hold on to their young stars like chris paul. I see them getting 7 or 8th seed in the west this year.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Renton @ Sep 5 2006, 05:35 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'> In fact, I think Chandler isn't good enough to start in this league.If they had one of two big guys (besides West, who isn't that big, good payer though) who could actually do some damage on the boards, they could have a great season.</div>Chandler averaged 9 rpg last season and 1.32blks in 26.8 mpg last season! While I agree with you on the Injury Prone part, but he is a great talent and is very effective when healthy!!!
I like the way the Hornets look, but I'm not a fan of signing Peja, along with getting rid of Snyder and JR Smith. I feel Snyder could give a lot off the bench, and JR has SO much upside and could fulfill it if he got the chance. I'm not complaining, though, JR on Nugs will be a great fit and Snyder is on the Rockets who need the youth and athleticism off the bench.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (clangus @ Sep 4 2006, 08:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>Chandler averaged 9 rpg last season and 1.32blks in 26.8 mpg last season! While I agree with you on the Injury Prone part, but he is a great talent and is very effective when healthy!!!</div>Maybe a poor man's Ben Wallace? No offense, but good defender? He must stay healthy for the Hornets, or there will be trouble.
I project the Hornets to be in the playoffs this season. Chris Paul gets a very good jumpshooter to pass to in Peja, and also gets better inside presences in Simmons, Armstrong and Chandler. Paul is a born leader, and will showcase that this season when he takes the Hornets to the postseason.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Nitro1118 @ Sep 5 2006, 12:53 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I like the way the Hornets look, but I'm not a fan of signing Peja, along with getting rid of Snyder and JR Smith. I feel Snyder could give a lot off the bench, and JR has SO much upside and could fulfill it if he got the chance. I'm not complaining, though, JR on Nugs will be a great fit and Snyder is on the Rockets who need the youth and athleticism off the bench.</div>Dude, JR couldnt even get off teh bench the 2nd half of the season. So the loss of him is no big deal really. If you wanna look at it like this, we got rid of PJ Brown, got Tyson Chandler. Got rid of JR Smith, got Peja. Both huge upgrades. And the loss of Kirk Snyder is nothing special. It was either keeping him or Rasual Butler, and Butler played better than Snyder last year.Someone mentioned lack of defense, other than Peja everyone on the floor are good defenders. Mason is solid, Linton Johnson is probably our best at shutting guys down, too bad he doesnt have much to add on the offensive end. CP3 was like 2nd in the league in steals last year. Chandler is a good defender down low and will have a lot of blocks. Hilton Armstong was drafted because of his defensive abilities.
Chris Paul happens to be my favorite player in the league but I still think that they haven't done enough to make themselves a playoff team. Sure they'ves improved, but other teams have also made additions and improved and the Hornets really lack some depth at the shooting guard position. Kirk Snyder and Desmond Mason are possibly the two worst starting shooting guards in the league and the Hornets will struggle putting up points when Stojakovic isn't scoring 25+ because they really lack that natural scorer at the shooting guard position.
Good post... it would probably be a lot better if it was relevatnt. Kirk Snyder isnt starting for the Hornets.... hes not even on the team. Peja will be the starting SG
