New Orleans Hornets May Be the Best Team in Southwest After 99-90 Win vs Spurs

The term "out with the old and in with the new" is what came to mind while watching the Hornets beat the Spurs in San Antonio, 99-90. 

The Hornets started off slowly in this game; San Antonio forced a turnover which lead to a Ginobili three and then Tony Parker got an easy layup.

The Hornets fought back and got the ball rolling to make it 44-43 at the half as Tony Parker lead the Spurs with 10 points. 

But the game was won in the third quarter as the Hornets exploded for 33 points, 10 of those from Chris Paul, giving the Hornets a 16-point lead entering the fourth. 

The Spurs did give the home crowd something to cheer about, cutting the Hornets lead to three 93-90 with 2:04 left in the game.

The game was close and the Hornets needed to close this out, and who else but CP3 to win it by making George Hill lose the H in his name as Paul crossed him over and scored making it 97-90 and sealing the win. 

It may be an overreaction, but I can't help feeling like the Hornets have regained that swagger when they were championship contenders just thee seasons ago, moving in on the old Spurs.

I also feel like the Spurs have taken yet another step backwards after getting the seventh seed and being swept by the Phoenix Suns in the playoffs last season. Their best player, Tim Duncan, is no longer the dominant superstar he was when the Spurs won their four titles. 

Duncan had his worst statical season last year, averaging a career-low 17.9 points, 10.1 rebounds and 1.5 blocks (great numbers for most players, though). Age has caught up to Timmy as he has not played as many minutes either. Only playing 31.3, also a career-low, and only logging 27 in the loss to the Hornets. 

The Hornets are 3-0 and look to be a team on the rise from a season ago when Chris Paul missed 37 games. First year head coach Monty Williams has the bees playing swarming defense (excuse the pun), and Paul is surrounded with a number of sharp shooters. 

Most forget how great Chris Paul was before the injury last season when he was considered the top point guard, but as they say "out of site out of mind." 

David West, who was an all-star just a few years ago, is looking to return back to that form and has beefed up to meet the challenge. The rest of the new additions, Willie Green, Jerryd Bayless and Marco Belinelli, are great targets for CP3 to dish the ball to and will help spread the floor. 

Last years rookie sensation Marcus Thornton is getting better and has become a serious weapon off the bench, averaging 11.7 points this season. 

I know we're only three games into the season, but you can't do better than 3-0 and the Hornets look primed to take the division by storm this season and make a deep playoff run. It could fade, but for now the New Orleans Hornets look to sting any competition.