How does it feel that your team is moving to the west? What do you expect now that you guys are in the west? Are you expecting to make the playoffs? I think you guys have a good chance because you got an all-star center in Maglorie. I think the Hornets will be in the playoffs but as a 7th seed and probably get knocked off in the first round by the Spurs, Kings, or T-Wolves.........Also this is off topic but we are trying to put a Mock Offseason game on another board and we don't have a GM to take the Hornets yet...Click on the link in my signature for more details!
It's going to be very tough for the Hornets to make the playoffs this year since there in the western confrence. But I do not have that many doubts, and expect this year the Hornets possibly getting in the 8th or 7th seed.
I think the Hornets will do alright in the Western Conference. They have a very nice team. Magloire, proved the doubters wrong in the All-Star game, showing that he can bang with the best of the West. Many were saying that he shouldn't have even been in the All-Star game but he put up nice numbers and was even being considered MVP. They have a very good guard, Baron Davis and I'm interested to see how Baron will do against Cassell, Nash, etc. They also drafted a very explosive player, a freak athlete, J.R. Smith and I'm really excited about seeing him play. He could be the next Vince Carter. My prediction, they make the playoffs, and they get the 7th seed.
A lot lot lot more depth is needed, and Baron Davis has to stay healthy, they won 41 games last year in the East, with Baron injured for 15 of those games, and Mashburn was basically a non-factor for the year. The team needs depth, and Portland and Utah won 41 and 42 games and made hte playoffs, so they aren't getting in just like that. The Hornets lead a lot more depth, especially at the 3 and center, the lineup is: PG - Baron / Armsrtong SG - David Welsey / Courtney Alexander (maybe) / JR Smith SF - Mashburn / JR Smith / (someone else will be signed) PF - PJ Brown / David West C - Magloire / Dunno? Now the lineup isn't bad, but Mashburn might not even be playing next season. David Wesley is old, but their's good depth behind him as the 2 guard position. The Hornets need to go after someone like Stephen Jackson to play the 3, and they also need a backup at the Center position. Tractor coming back wouldn't be bad (this man can be so much better it bothers me), man if he ever worked and lost weight I would cry tears of joy. From the current Roster I see 37 wins, and 11th place, if they make some needed improvements, 41-43 wins, and between 8-10th seed.
Before they move to the west they need to get rid of those hiddious jerseys. Michael Doleac or Chris Mihm could be nice signings for the Hornets, especially since their going to a bigger conference, with TD, KG and them, to back up Jamaal Magloire.
Doleac isn't a banger though, so he really wouldn't help that much, I'm hoping David West can be a starter next year, he's got some skills.
I don't think the Hornets would make the playoffs. The West is the stronger conference of the two and the Hornets are in the toughest division. Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and Memphis are all better teams than New Orleans and all four of these teams are playoffs locks. The other four spots, IMO, will be filled by Sacramento, Denver, LA Lakers and Minnesota. There are still teams that are out of the Top 8 but are still better than New Orleans in Portland, LA Clippers and Utah. Now, with that kind of opponents, there's almost no chance of the Hornets even finishing with an above .500 record.
I doubt the Hornets will make the playoffs, but that all depends on the health of Baron Davis and Jamal Mashburn. I think they'll fight for one of the last playoff spots but I don't think they'll get in. My picks for playoffs next season in the West (in no particular order): Minnesota Sacramento San Antonio Houston Memphis Blazers with the Mavs, Suns, Hornets, and Jazz fighting for the last 2 spots it all depends on whether the Lakers break up or stay together... If they stay together (unlikely) I think the Lakers will be in those top teams, and only 1 spot left. If Shaq leaves, they'll be fighting for that last spot too.
I don't even think Mashburn will play next season after the whole mess last year and in the playoffs. He might just sit out this season and ask for a trade if he hasn't already. You can't predict the playoff spots right now. You don't even have the Nuggets or Lakers up there. What if Kobe signs with the Nuggets? What if he decides to stay with the Lakers and they trade Shaq for Odom and others . What if the Clippers land Kobe? There's still a lot to be determined.
One thing you all have to remmeber is that the Hornets won 42 games with Baron missing 15 games, and being injured for about 15 of the 67 games he played in. They had no depth really, and no scorers off the bench, David Wesley their second scorer also missed games, and Jamal Mashburn was out for almost the whole year, to win 42 games with those conditions is impressive. Can they get over .500? It's not an impossibility, but I don't think they will, I think they'll be about 3 games short.
the chemistry issues that developed this past year were reportedly so severe that even if one wasn't injured the coach didn't want both MAsh and Davis on the court at the same time. This team has issues to settle or they will be hobbled coming out of the gate
Well Mash should retire, I don't think the kat can ball anymore, I'm not even certain if he'll be back next year, the Hornets need to use their mid-level to go hard after Stephen Jackson, they can't just get nothing out of free agency.
With Mash not the same and Wesley slowly declining this team would sturggle even in the Eastern Conference next year. They would porbably make the playoffs in the EC but here in the west I dont see them making it far. I see getting 30-40 wins(somewhere around 35) and not making the playoffs. The West has a lot more depth and such than the Hornets. I cant see the Hornets passing those teams like the Mavs,Nuggets,Blazers, and such for those final playoff spots. Its rebuilding time for the Hornets.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting og15:</div><div class="quote_post">Well Mash should retire, I don't think the kat can ball anymore, I'm not even certain if he'll be back next year, the Hornets need to use their mid-level to go hard after Stephen Jackson, they can't just get nothing out of free agency.</div> Isn't that what they are doing each year ?? if we get one "GOOD" free agent it's GREAT and we always get cheap players, the only way we get some good Ballers is the draft and a trade once a 3-4 years that's how we got Davis, magloire (Draft) and Mashburn (trade from Miami). The Hornets never were a good free agency team :/
Yea I know, but last year Darell Armstrong was a good signing, this year their's not even been talk about getting anyone, it's just sad.
I'm really hoping Mash can settle his differences with the team and stay healthy next season, but right now that looks like a long shot. I'm pretty sure Mash can still ball. He was in the All-Star game a year ago. Right now, the Hornets are trying to move Mash to another team, but his trade value has really decreased with his constant injuries and how he has said he's pondering retirement. The Hornets definitely will not go far next season if Mash is still on the roster and sitting in his home on South Beach. So yeah I'm hoping Mash can settle his differences with the team and return healthy. But right now... I've read that Coach Scott has tried to contact Mash and talk to him but Mash has never called Coach Scott back. That can't be a good sign. If Mash does return, New Orleans' roster could look something like this: C Jamaal Magloire; Tractor Traylor; Free Agent PF PJ Brown; David West SF Jamal Mashburn; George Lynch; Free Agent SG David Wesley; J.R. Smith; Tim Pickett PG Baron Davis; Darrell Armstrong; Free Agent With that lineup, New Orleans won't do too bad in the West. They would get an early playoff exit, however. As for Mashburn being traded, I have no idea where or for whom. New Orleans is in a pretty bad predicament there. If Mash cannot settle his differences with the team, it probably is best that he retires. But I believe the retirement statement was out of frustration. I can't see Mash pondering retirement at this stage in his career. So what can New Orleans do?
Mash has no trade value, too much contract for too little, too old and too injured a player is how everyone sees him right now. I'd really like them to settle, but him and Baron need to be apart, and Baron isn't going anywhere. They could end up waiving him but that's a lot of money to waive, but you gotta do what you gotta do, he has a player option afer this coming season but he'd be retarded not to pick it up because no one is paying him 10 million. Mash has a total of $30,225,000 and 3 years left on his contract, they could buy him out for $14,508,000. They'd waive him then have to pay him $4,464,000 this year, $4,836,000 next year, and $5,208,000 the last year. That would save $4,836,000 this year, and allow Mash to sign wherever he pleases, maybe he'd go back to Miami. That would also put the team $6,709,495 under the cap, but this is all speculation.
I've read that Wally Szczerbiak is on Minnesota's trading block and the Hornets have a strong interest in Wally. However, I think Shinn wouldn't want to swallow Wally's large contract. But a Mash for Wally trade could work. If healthy, Mash would be a great fit in Minnesota. Szczerbiak would bring the Hornets much needed energy and outside shooting. Mash isn't "too old". I don't think 31 is too old. Too injured, yes, but not too old. I could see that deal happening, however, Mash would have to be healthy. That makes it a long shot...
