Denver Nuggets Show What New Orleans Hornets Are Lacking To Make a Playoff Run

Chris Paul is one of the most fundamentally sound and exciting guards that I have seen in the NBA. He makes everyone on the court look and play better.  He is a ferocious competitor and a great leader.  

David West is a legit All-Star.

Why then, do I assert that the Hornets weaknesses will keep them from making a deep run in the playoffs? What are the weaknesses? What can they do?

SHOOTING

The Hornets lack a consistent threat from the outside. Rasual Butler has vastly improved but is not yet a feared shooter. Certainly, Peja Stojaković is one of the most dangerous shooters in the league. He can hit from well behind the three-point-line. It is truly exciting to see Stojaković hit four or five treys in a row to start a quarter.

Stojaković is however, a streak shooter. He can miss six or seven in a row just as well as make them. Rarely have you seen the Hornets go to Stojaković when the game is on the line. 

It is difficult to tell when Stojaković will be hot as fire or cold as ice. Dependability is another issue with the Croatian bomber. In half of his 11 NBA seasons, Stojaković has appeared in 50 games or less due to chronic back problems and other injuries.

Right now, the Hornets need Stojaković as they jockey for precious home court advantage in the Western Conference.  He has been sitting on the bench with back spasms for over a month.

In their recent loss to the Denver Nuggets, Coach George Karl's strategy was to double up and beat up on Paul, leave Julian Wright open on the outside, and keep a spy on CP3 to prevent him from getting the ball back if he escaped the trap.  The strategy worked as the Hornets suffered a double digit defeat at home. 

Had the 6'10" Stojaković been available, the Rockets would not have been able to double on Paul, and the outcome of the game would have likely been different.  Don't be surprised if other opponents pick up on this strategy.

So, what should Byron Scott and the Hornets do?

In the short term, unless there is an indication that Stojaković is going to be available soon, the Hornets should cut the 31-year-old shooter and go find someone who can be a consistent outside threat.

It is not as if the Hornets need a complete player to replace Stojaković, as he does not play defense, averages a little over one assist per game, and rarely rebounds unless the ball falls into his hands. His current contract provides him the following compensation:

2008/09: $13.068 million
2009/10: $14.202 million
2010/11: $15.336 million

This year, Stojaković has cost Hornets owner George Shinn nearly $20,000 a point. A bit pricey, don't you think?

INSIDE GAME

Like Stojaković, center Tyson Chandler is often injured. Recurring back problems and ankle injuries have kept the 7'1" Chandler on the bench too often. He too is currently riding the pine as the Hornets make their dash for playoff position.

While it is thrilling to watch the slender center jam an alley oop home in one of the Paul-to-Chandler "Crescent City Connections," he is not a dominant force in the paint. The Hornets knew this when they traded Chandler to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Chris Wilcox, Joe Smith and the rights to DeVon Hardin.

Unfortunately, Chandler failed the Thunder physical. A healthy Wilcox and Hardin would have been better than an injured Chandler. As a bonus, the Bees would have saved millions in cap room. Although he arguably played his best basketball as a Hornet when he returned from the rescinded trade, don't expect to see Chandler back in New Orleans next year.

In addition to his injury woes, Chandler is not much of an offensive threat except on put backs and lobs from Paul. He is not a shooter and is a woeful 59 percent career free throw shooter.  At 7'1" and a mere 235 pounds, Chandler does not have the bulk to stand up to inside men such as Dwight Howard and Yao Ming. Like Stojaković, Chandler's compensation does not match his production.

Chandler's current contract is:

David West is without a doubt an All-Star. Regardless of the position the arena announces for DW, he is not a power forward.  Most of his scoring happens on mid-range fall away jumpers and at the foul line. He can be a great rebounder when he chooses, but right now ranks 18th in the NBA in rebounds per game. In fact, West is the only Hornet in the top 40 rebounding statistics.

Compare this to the Lakers with three, Oklahoma City with three, and Dallas with three. If asked on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire to name the second leading rebounder on the New Orleans Hornets, how many would guess Chris Paul? 

Sadly, 6'0" point guard CP3 is the second leading rebounder on the team, averaging almost 5.5 per game.

With Chandler out, second year backup Hilton Armstrong is coming along, but not at the rate needed. For reserves, the Hornets are relying on journeyman backups Ryan Bowen and Sean Marks. What they lack in ability they try to make up for with aggressive play and hustle.

Still, these names are not likely to strike fear into opponents' hearts.  Finding a big man to replace Chandler is going to be even more difficult than finding a shooter to replace Stojaković. Hornets fans need to start praying for the speedy recovery of Chandler or the playoff run for the Bees is going to be very shallow.