Are the New Orleans Hornets Really That Good?

The New Orleans Hornets currently hold a record of 32-12, best in the Western Conference.

They have three All-Star caliber players in Chris Paul, David West and Tyson Chandler.

Byron Scott is an experienced coach who's had success in the NBA already with New Jersey. He's improved the team's win total each year he's been there and is about to do it again. 

In the 2004-2005 season the Hornets were 18-64. The next year, they posted a 38-44 record, improving by 20 wins. Last season (2006-2007) they only improved by one win, 39-43, but were without Chris Paul for 18 games. 

The Hornets are going to be a very tough out in the playoffs this year as well. 

They have a playmaker point guard in Chris Paul. The frontcourt of David West and Tyson Chandler is one of the best in the league. Peja Stojakovic is an experienced player with playoff experienced from his Sacramento days.  And Morris Peterson is also a good role player who can hit outside shots. 

David West is developing more into an All-Star each and every game. He is close to being a 20/10 guy, but not quite there (19.7 ppg and 9.3 rpg). 

He and Chris Paul are going to be a great duo for years to come.  

Chris Paul is the best pure point guard in the NBA, in my opinion. He does everything a point guard is supposed to do—and at a very high level.

He can score (20.6 ppg), pass (10.5 apg), defend (2.6 spg), and most importantly, does not turn the ball over (4:1 assist-to-turnover ratio).

Paul is the highest rated point guard on the NBA Player Efficiency Rating Scale. He is rated No. 5 in the entire NBA and isn't starting in the All-Star game.

Can you say underrated?

The Hornets didn't achieve their 32nd win until March 25th last season.

They beat the Denver Nuggets, a trendy NBA Finals pick in the pre-season by 24 tonight for win number 32. Tyson Chandler showed his dominance on the  glass—out-rebounding the Nuggets starting front court 16-14.

That feat is much more impressive when you think that Marcus Camby averages almost 15 rebounds per game and Kenyon Martin is no slouch on the boards.  

So, my question remains: Are the Hornets really that good? Are they a legitimate NBA Finals contender or is their youth going to hurt them come playoff time?

The big three in New Orleans have little playoff experience among them.  Paul and Chandler have no experience and David West played sparingly in the first round his rookie year.  That may pose a problem if the standings stay the same the rest of the year.

If the Hornets do get the No. 1 seed, they will likely run into Denver or Portland in the first round. If they get past either of them, they may run into the defending champs in the second round. 

Everyone knows that San Antonio doesn't play their best basketball until the playoffs start.  

Youth may hurt them in the end, but one thing is for sure: The Hornets are a great, young team and shouldn't be taken lightly anymore. 

I wouldn't be surprised if New Orleans represents the West in the NBA Finals in the near future.