The most coveted positions for NBA front offices: center and point guard. In the last decade only two championships were won without Hall of Fame centers. Both of these championships were won by the Pistons, who made up for it by having a top-notch defensive center who could neutralize the others.
The point guard position is the most important position in today’s game. Dallas, Phoenix, San Antonio, Utah, New Orleans, Golden State, and Detroit are all carried by All-Star caliber point guards. Michael Jordan played for years before he started winning, it’s doubtful Magic Johnson could have ever led a team to a losing record because a point guard LEADS a team.
This is why the rise of the New Orleans Hornets should come as no surprise. Fluke, they are not, and NBA fans should expect to fill their sting for quite some time. The Hornets are entering an era will they will be in the best shape of their franchise’s history by having a Hall of Fame point guard, Chris Paul, and an All-Star caliber center, Tyson Chandler, for the primes of their careers.
Paul is the leader, on-floor coach, leading the league in assist and steals while scoring over 20ppg a game. Chandler not only made the Olympic squad but also is leading the league in offensive rebounds and is second in field goal-percentage. He is in his sixth season having come straight out of high school. Paul ends his rookie contract 3-year period in the off-season.
Having the best point guard and a quality 7’1” center for the entirety of their primes is quite a building block, add on a fixture at power forward in David West and you have a trifecta. David West, a current All-Star who is still improving each year at a tremendous rate epitomizes the Hornets’ lunch pail attitude. His approach and professionalism are a trademark of the club and fit perfectly with Chris Paul and Coach Byron Scott.
West, Peja, Paul and others were somewhat of a backlash of the Jamal Mashburn, Baron Davis, and Jamal Majlorie era, where the team was representing everything that was wrong with the NBA. West's ofrfseason approach has him acquiring new skills each year. Knowing his limitations has helped West; hence, he has mastered the 17-foot jumper making the pick-n-rolls with Paul lethal.
Add Peja Stojakovic. His health this year has provided a service to CP3 that few players in the world can. Even if he has missed his past twenty shots, this 6’10” Serbian sharp-shooter can stand one foot off of the sidelines and teams still will not leave him alone for a second to help out on Paul due to his reputation alone. With his man never abandoning him, it has left CP3 ample room to have a MVP season.
Despite the fact that Peja is the perfect fit now, his position will likely fall into the hands of Julian Wright next year. Wright’s rookie year has been more than promising, and it’s starting to look like they got a top 5 pick. I know, I know John Hollinger and ESPN might not see it this way, but they also don’t see Hornet games.
His lack of playing time is solely due to leading the most competitive race in its history and playing the same position as Peja. If more time were allotted then his stats would qualify and the secret would be out. But for now, the organization and its fans are ready for him to become a future all-star. Think of Tyrus Thomas with good handles on the ball and court vision.
J. Wright’s probable break into next year’s starting lineup will be a plus. It would allow Peja to remain a force come playoff time for the entirety of his contract’s three remaining years.
Before free agency signings, here’s what the roster looks like this off-season:
PG Chris Paul, Jonnero Pargo (1yr) Mike James(2 yrs)
SF Peja Stojovich (3yrs) Morris Peterson (3yrs)
SF Julian Wright, Rasual Butler(3yrs)
PF David West (4yrs) Melvin Ely(1 yr)
C- Tyson Chandler (3yrs) Hilton Armstrong(2 yrs)
This leaves the Hornets playing two small forwards. It somewhat works because Julian Wright plays like a point forward and can really put the ball on the ground, penetrate, and find the open man. Peja also can play the shooting gurad spot. In this scenario, Wright guards the better of the opponent’s offensive wings.
Morris Peterson and Rasual Butler have been disappointing, but Peterson still figures into next year’s equation in a reserve role.
Bonzi Wells will be tempting to resign. He was smart to join the Hornets during a contract year, but if the hornets get a shooting guard that can play in this draft; expect
them to be smarter and not be the next victim of Bonzi’s potential.
Chris Anderson’s passion off the bench will, most probably be rewarded by a lesser contract. Bowen will probably be brought back also if the team drafts a guard; if not they will let him go and give his minutes to the pick.
As the Hornets prepare for the draft few things are obvious. One, they’ll be picking in the 25-30 range. And two, they’ll have to be cognizant of the fact that they possess no second round choice; hence, making this pick even more important. Why? It’s time to resign CP3, and the Hornets need someone contributing while playing under a rookie contract.
Only three players come off the books in the off-season; Bonzi Wells, Chris Anderson, and Ryan Bowen.
Since Scott has arrived, the Hornerts have lacked a true shooting guard. It has also been a trademark of the Byron Scott era to employ a two-headed point guard attack.
Darrel Armstrong, Speedy Claxton, Jonnero Pargo, and Mike James have all played this role and had success.
The downfall has been on the defensive end where they can’t contest the taller shooting guards of the Western Conference. Pargo and James have been used in this role recently, but they exemplify the problem.
1 The Hornets need a shooting guard
2 The traps are coming further and further down-court trying to get the ball out of Paul’s hands before his pick-n-roll with David West. This double-teaming will come to mid-court and beyond trying rid Paul of the ball.
3 Once he passes it, it’s a 4 on 3 situation; and a SG with point guard skills
Could exploit the situation by being able to shoot if open,
If not putting it on the ground and penetrating until someone else does open
up.
4 Pargo and James can’t pull this position off on the defensive end.
5 This means a combo guard makes more sense than ever.
Two players who could very well do this in this year’s draft, and should be around the Hornets' range are:
Lester Hudson 6’3” PG-SG (UT-Martin)
25.7 points per game (3rd in nation) while taking an avg. of 10 three-pointers a game (3rd also) while maintaining nearly a 40% avg! He’s number 1 in the nation in steals and is arguabally the best rebounding guard in the nation. The talent he played against was inferior, yet he has the speed, length, speeed, athleticism, and serious enough range to make the transition. (he also lit every big name school he played like a freaggin Christmas tree)
Kyle Weaver 6’5 ½” PG-SG (Washington St.)
Another combo guard that fills out the stat sheet is this man. Although his shooting is suspect, his basketball IQ is high as well as his intensity and his athletic ability to play lock-down defense. These skills combined with his ability to find the open man could make him the Hornet’s man.
See also: Mario Chambers 6’2” Kansas/ Rob Mckiver 6’3” Houston
If the Hornets scouts don’t get the same view from here then perhaps they’ll pick up:
Joey Dorsey 6’9” PF-C (Memphis)
An NBA ready contributor playing for a rookie salary for three to four years would be a plus when resigning the core of the team. He could automatically make either Bowen or Anderson expendable and could definitely make Melvin Ely expendable the next year. Ben Wallace’s are no longer free agent steals.
Not much risk. Not much upside.
The last route the Hornets could take, besides best player available, is to actually draft a
shooting guard. When one combines their demands on the position with who will be milling around their draft position, the list is short:
Tyler Smith 6’7” Tenn.
Wayne Ellington 6’4” N.C.
Brandon Rush 6’6” Kansas
Sam Young 6’6” Pitt.
Shan Foster 6’6” Vandy.
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6 months ago
Neither Chris Chandler nor Jonathan Pargo play for the Hornets.
Tyson and Jannero do.
And the Julian Wright comments make little sense. Julian Wright will not take Peja's place in the starting lineup next year unless Peja endures a season-ending injury early in the season. Maybe in a few years, but not anytime soon.
I also don't understand the random comparison of Julian Wright to Tyrus Thomas. Aside from possibly being the same height, their games really don't have anything in common.
I don't know how the "Mashburn, Davis, and Magloire" era represented everything wrong with the NBA. That needs to be clarified, because that team was in no way comparable to the Portland Jail Blazers.
I think maybe two of the names that you gave for next year's draft would be ones that the Hornets should take note of: Brandon Rush of Kansas and Shan Foster of Vanderbilt could come in and spell Peterson almost immediately. Not sure though if they'll be around so late in the first round.
Aside from that, OK analysis.
6 months ago
OUCH. Thanks for correcting the typo's.
The random comparison to Tyrus Thomas, Stromile Swift, Marvin Williams, ect. is that everyone hopes they become true SF's and wright truly is with as much court pressence, handles, length ect. to compensate for an inch or two, or even a couple more on the verticle. Remember these words, the fourth best pick of the draft was Julian Wright.
Mashburn was a theif, and introduced New Orleanians to the blasphemy of draining the cap.
Majlorie joined Baron D. in crying trade when their trainers weren't allowed to hold their hands everywhere the team wen't despite the fact the trainers were doing interviews from within the coach's colon. But Baron Davis, Good ole B.D. (Behavioral Disordered) Look, iIsat courtside for the Hornets first two years here, I am a coach, and he was my favorite player. There is no reason why Baron shouldn't have dominated besides, simply, he didn't want to. He's chisled, tall for a PG, has serious hops, court vision, and dribbles like an And 1 commercial. Anytime anyone embarrassed Baron, he blew right by them on the next possession. Why not do it all the time? Why blow off the plays and launch ddep three's? Because looking good personally is more important than the team's wins. Vince Carter jump-shot his way out of Toronto, McGrady almost die it out of Houston, and Davis definately behaved his way out of New Orleans. Baron has an extra gear, as evident against Dallas last year, and he always takes it to Chris paul. Cp3 doesn't have that gear. You see, CP3 is always trying his hardest, and when BD plays the Hornets he does too.
Brandon Rush will be the fan favorite for the spot we are at just as Nick Young was last year. (thank fully the team knew it wasn't about position). The Final 4 will have something to do with whether or not he's there when we pick. I can't call this one. Because Rasual Butler and Mo Pete are here like it or not next year; and unless the team truly believes he's mature and going to be a contributer; they won't do it. It's imperative they get production and character in this pick.
Shan Foster is intruinging. I coached against Foster 5 times in highschool. We did beat them like baby seals each time, but that's just bragging. When Vanderbilt signed him it was quite a shock. Why is Vandy going to this public school in NO and taking their 6'6" center? Many in the area thought. It turned out to be a genious move (the kind that cost John Brady his job). He played center and dwelled in the paint because his team needed him there, unlike many youngsters today who would have transferred if asked to do so, like our very own 6'5 Parade All-American. It was shocking to watch his progression at Vanderbilt. I know he's still got a lot to work on but he just might remind the team of David West. The type of senior who has shown the tendency to work hard in the off-season and improve his game each year. This is becoming one of the most important attributes when scouting players for the NBA in this era. As much of an LSU homer I am; it's the difference between Tyrus Thomas and David West. (no offense to Tyrus, I'd love the Hornets to get him and havn't given up on him)
6 months ago
Random thought as of last night. J. Wright's box-score
11pts. 9 reb. 2 assists and 3 steals
He's shooting over 50% from the field this year.
All-Star in the making.
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