2010-11 NBA Season Preview: Chris Paul Back, Ready To Lead New Orleans Hornets
The New Orleans Hornets have avoided a potential disaster this summer when Chris Paul, the face of the franchise, almost pulled a Lebron James. Fortunately for the league, the team, the public, and Paul himself, the only other contract that he signed was the one with James’ Yabadabdoo Marketing Company. Yes, the one headed by Maverick ”Hee Haw” Carter.
You can still hear the big sighs of relief resonating out of The Big Easy, some sighs coming from Saints fans being dragged through nerve racking close games, uncharacteristic of their super bowl champs… but most of them however, because of CP3.
Paul has indicated that he is happy with the changes that have taken place, and that he feels like a rookie again. Hornets rookie GM Dell Demps added, “Paul just wants to win, that’s the most important thing. He wants to be able to have the right pieces on the floor around him so we can compete. We want to play an up-tempo style of offense and put a product on the court that people will want to come see.”
This is great as well as very exciting news for the city of New Orleans, and its sports fans. Chris Paul wants to be competitive, and his message has rung loud and clear with the Hornets front office. In total, there are 11 fresh faces at training camp preparing for the pre-season opener on Saturday October 9th, against the Grizzlies.
On top of all the roster changes, the team is going into 2010-11 with a rookie coach (Monty Williams). Williams was a player with the NY Knicks under Pat Riley, and was an outstanding assistant coach with the young Portland Trailblazers. NBA insiders view him as a good fit to lead an NBA team as a head coach. He attributes much of his success to Pat Riley,
"Just think about the guys I played with in New York, most of them are in basketball either as a coach or a broadcaster," Williams said. "Doc, Jeff Van Gundy, Derek Harper, Herb Williams, Greg Anthony and Patrick Ewing. It's amazing. A lot of that is because of Riley. And it seems like yesterday we were dead tired in the locker room following one of those four-hour practices."
Achieving team chemistry during this transition period will obviously be a big factor that will lead to the Hornets’ success, but unlike the Miami Heat, they do not have the huge ego problem that emanates thrice.
Consider this: It was not that long ago (2007-08) when CP3 took the reins of the Hornets and led them to the second best record (56-26) in the very tough Western Conference. This has become the Hornet's benchmark season, the best in franchise history. Paul led his team while handing in an amazing 20-10 season average. That year the Hornets finished first in the South West.
It is therefore, not inconceivable for this stellar point guard to repeat, and even surpass that performance this upcoming season. Especially since he has better talent (comparatively) to work with, and CP3 is only 25 years old!
Indeed, all the pieces are coming together, and Paul is over the injury that had cost him a good chunk of last season. The big reason that contributed to New Orleans first losing season since the team came to the Big Easy.
CP3, the team’s leader is back, he’s hungry, and you can see it in his eyes… this Hornet is getting ready to sting!
This slideshow will present the five key players of the New Orleans Hornets going into the 2010-11 season. They’re young, they’re talented, and they’re better than 2007-08!
Marcus Thornton: Shooting Guard
1 of 5
Age: 23
Height: 6 ft. 4”
College: LSU
Draft Year/Pick: 2009, 43rd pick (2nd round) by the Hornets
NBA Achievements: NBA Rookie 2nd Team
Impact: Marcus Thornton was a pleasant surprise in his rookie year, especially for such a late draft pick. After last season’s All-Star game, this rookie averaged 20 points per game. This included scoring a franchise record high 23 points in one quarter, which led to a career high of 37 points in that game. He accomplished all this while CP3 was out half the season due to injury. Marcus is young and loaded with energy. We should see his playing time increase to 30 minutes plus per game during his second year.
It seems that many teams must be kicking themselves for missing this hidden jewel over and over again during the draft. The potential of this "not so raw" and unexpected, athletic talent is astounding. He will only improve under his own talent this season, and then some with CP3 dishing the ball. Marcus will have an immediate impact at shooting guard for the Hornets as his production should increase in his second year, and he’s only 23. Marcus has worked hard on his defensive game this past summer, a tribute to the young man's excellent attitude, and work ethic.
Season & Career | ||||||||
G | MPG | FG% | 3p% | FT% | RPG | APG | PPG | |
2009-10 Season | 73 | 25.6 | .451 | .374 | .814 | 2.9 | 1.6 | 14.5 |
Career | 73 | 25.6 | .451 | .374 | .814 | 2.9 | 1.6 | 14. |
Trevor Ariza: Guard - Forward
2 of 5
Age: 25
Height: 6 ft. 8”
College: UCLA
Draft Year/Pick: 2004, 43rd pick (2nd round) by the Knicks
NBA Achievements: 2009 NBA Champion (Lakers)
Impact: Ariza is an all round player whose presence will have an immediate impact in his first year with the Hornets. He can contribute across the board with points, boards, and assists. He is a workhorse that will play most games while averaging 30 plus minutes. Trevor is an excellent defender who contributed to the L.A. Lakers' 2009 championship.
It is puzzling how Ariza has become a nomad travelling from team to team, especially since this talented forward has a great attitude, and work ethic. Although he was very young when he began his NBA career, he has played for New York (2004–2006), Orlando (2006–2007), Los Angeles Lakers (2007–2009), and Houston (2009–2010) before coming to New Orleans at the young age of 25 this season.
Ariza was a highly sought after free agent who is looking to settle down in one place for a change. Why not The Big Easy? He is an extremely adaptable player, and his point production has no where to go but up with CP3 running the new run-and-gun offense.
Season & Career | ||||||||
G | MPG | FG% | 3p% | FT% | RPG | APG | PPG | |
2009-10 Season | 72 | 36.5 | .394 | .334 | .649 | 5.6 | 3.8 | 14.9 |
Career | 383 | 23.1 | .442 | .321 | .658 | 4.1 | 1.8 | 8.4 |
Emeka Okafor: Center
3 of 5
Age: 28
Height: 6 ft. 10”
College: UConn
Draft Year/Pick: 2004, 2nd pick (1st round) by the Bobcats
NBA Achievements: 2005 NBA Rookie of the Year
Impact: Okafor is a career double, double guy who arrived in The Big Easy in 2009, so he hasn't had much of a chance to play with CP3. His defense should provide 10 plus rebounds per game. While not a big offensive threat, he can still contribute 10 plus points per game. You can expect his offensive numbers to rise with Paul feeding him the ball in the new up-tempo offense. Okafor is a workhorse who will put in the games and the minutes, and he’s only 28.
The center position is one area that New Orleans may be able to improve on. If Okafor can not adapt to the new run-and-gun offense under Paul, he can be used to get a more dominant center, a definite necessity if the Hornets want to contend for a title in the near future. If Okafor can have a career year, he may prove to be a keeper.
Season & Career | ||||||||
G | MPG | FG% | 3p% | FT% | RPG | APG | PPG | |
2009-10 Season | 82 | 28.9 | .530 | .000 | .562 | 9.0 | 0.7 | 10.4 |
Career | 412 | 33.0 | .509 | .000 | .591 | 10.3 | 0.9 | 13.3 |
David West: Power Foward
4 of 5
Age: 30
Height: 6 ft. 9”
College: Xavier
Draft Year/Pick: 2003, 18th pick (1st round) by the Hornets
NBA Achievements: 2 x All-Star
Bottom Line: David West is one of the most underrated players in the NBA. Do a Google search on “David West underrated” and see how many sports websites that come up. He is unselfish, intelligent, and completely underrated. West can score and rebound, and he’s done it for years, yet nobody notices.
At 30, West is the oldest of this young Hornets bunch. He’s still young enough to put up career numbers, and help Paul lead the team forward this season. This veteran basketball talent has a good attitude, combined with an intense desire to win. A great asset to any team.
Season & Career | ||||||||
G | MPG | FG% | 3p% | FT% | RPG | APG | PPG | |
2009-10 Season | 81 | 36.4 | .505 | .259 | .865 | 7.5 | 3.0 | 19.0 |
Career | 460 | 32.0 | .487 | .267 | .846 | 7.2 | 1.9 | 16.0 |
Chris Paul: Point Guard
5 of 5
Age: 25
Height: 6 ft. 0”
College: Wake Forest
Draft Year/Pick: 2005, 4th pick (1st round) by the Hornets
NBA Achievements: NBA Rookie of the Year, 3 x All-Star
Impact: Chris Paul is a sensational point guard, and is easily a top 5 NBA player. He posted amazing point guard numbers of at least 10 assists, and at least 20 points per game in a single season. Steve Nash didn’t do it (but he came close), and look at the MVP hardware he has. Only a select few NBA point guards in history have accomplished this remarkable feat. Tim Hardaway was the last to accomplish it during the 1991-92 season To put this achievement in perspective, star point guards such as Jason Kidd have never even come close.
Chris Paul has no MVP, because the NBA chose that year to give it to Kobe Bryant. It is a crying shame, especially since everyone knows Paul should have won the MVP that year.
CP3 is the ultimate point guard, the tenacious quarterback of the New Orleans Hornets (not to be confused with New Orleans’ other quarterback). He runs the offence and puts the plays in motion. Like Nash and Magic, Paul feeds his teammates and makes them better.
Look for CP3 and New Orleans to duplicate and surpass their 2007-08 benchmark season. That means winning the South West Division and going beyond by creating a new franchise benchmark. Chris Paul and his Hornets certainly surprised everyone in 2007-08, but this season will be less of a surprise.
Season & Career | ||||||||
G | MPG | FG% | 3p% | FT% | RPG | APG | PPG | |
2009-10 Season | 45 | 38.0 | .493 | .409 | .847 | 4.2 | 10.7 | 18.7 |
Career | 345 | 37.3 | .473 | .353 | .848 | 4.7 | 10.0 | 19.3 |
Other articles by this writer:
Red Flag: Carmelo Anthony in the Footsteps of Vince Carter
Michael Jordan Owns the NBA Vertical Jump: Where’s Carter and Kobe?
Toronto Raptors Demar DeRozan: In the Mould of Tracy McGrady
Miami Heat Super-Friends Will Impose Totalitarian Rule On the NBA and the USA
