Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets Misfire Against The Philadelphia 76ers

Chris Paul’s New Orleans Hornets visited the “City of Brotherly Love” Sunday and were trounced by Andre Iguodala and the Philadelphia 76ers.

It’s easy to see now why Chris Paul reportedly wanted out of New Orleans over the summer. I understand it can be difficult playing a 12 pm game on Sunday, but their performance was terrible.

Chris Paul received about as little help as possible from his teammates. The team only scored 23 points in the entire first half.

Paul finished the game making eight of 12 shots, including two three-pointers, for 25 points. He dished out just three assists because the entire team shot .304 percent from the field. Paul was perfect from the free throw line and added three steals on the day.

Teammates Emeka Okafor and David West combined for just 11 points. Okafor missed all five of his shots and made just two of six free throws. West hit just two of his 10 shots and made five of six free throws. The big men combined for just 16 rebounds. Their terrible performance Sunday was odd, since both bigs are shooting over 50 percent from the field.

Surprisingly, the Hornets were out-rebounded by just two rebounds. A major concern from the Hornets is their rebounding though. Okafor averages 9.4 rebounds per game, but has the size and strength to be in double digits.

David West is averaging almost two rebounds less than two seasons ago and almost one rebound less than last year. The Hornets desperately need their big men to play big if they want to win in this league. Chris Paul may be a magician with the basketball in his hands, but he can’t magically make these two underachieving big men better in that aspect of the game.

It was their horrific shooting that cost them this matchup that they should have won.

While the 76ers had four players with double digit point totals, Paul was the only player for the Hornets.

After starting the season hot, winning 11 of their first 12 games, they now have seven losses in their last 10 games.

Before Paul entered the massacre against Philly, he was shooting 48.8 percent from the field, averaging 15.8 points, 10.4 assists and 3.2 steals.

The Hornets now travel to Miami, where they have to square off against LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and the streaking Heat.

This loss will not sit well with Chris Paul, who seemed to be the only Hornet playing for New Orleans this afternoon.

Chris Paul will definitely be ready for the showdown in South Beach, but it is difficult to believe that Paul has much faith in his teammates at the moment to be as prepared as he will be.

If Paul’s teammates fail to improve on their pathetic performance against Philadelphia, how long will it be before we hear more rumblings about much easier life would be for Paul outside of the “Big Easy.”