Are These Hornets For Real?

[Greenbean]

I have always been a fan of Chris Paul and I like his competitiveness so I dont mind seeing him have some success. The question is, are these guys for real? I am not suggesting that they will win 70 games or anything, but does anyone think they can win 60 and challenge the Lakers to come out of the west?

Here is their model for success so far.

Play stifling defense:

Opp PPG: 89.8 (2nd)
Opp FG %: .423 (2nd)
Opp 3pt fg %: .291 (2nd)

Play Efficient Offense and Limit T/O's:

PPS: 1.26 (4th)
FG %: .476 (6th)
3pt FG %: .380 (10th)
Turnover/gm: 13.3 (2nd fewest)

Secure Defensive Rebounds:

DRR .764 (3rd)

Sound familiar? Looks like the Boston model to me (at least what we want to do!)

The question is, do they have the horses to keep it up.

I say yes and no.

Yes in that Chris Paul, their vocal leader is quaterbacking not only the offense this year, but the defense as well. Their new coach has Chris fully commited to playing great team defense this year and he has been the loudest out there on that end of the floor.

Yes also in that they have a defensive anchor in the paint in Okafor who has long been underrated as one of the better dwefensive centers in the league.

And finally yes in that they have the athletic swingman who can guuard multiple positions and knock down 3's in Trevor Ariza that they thought they were getting in James Posey.

Paul finally looks healthy again and is getting all of his teammates easy looks (except Ariza who cant seem to break 40 percent shooting).

All this being said I think the one thing that might trip them up is their depth specifically in the forntcourt.

Jason Smith has been a nice surprise but that is pretty much it for quality rotation bigs off the poine. One injury to West or Emeka and they are in big trouble.

The most impressive part of all of this is that they have had some really tough games on the schedule and come out on top. All in all I like their roster and if they can stay commited to playing that defense, a CP3 led Hornets team might surprise people not only in November, but May and June as well.

[Fafnir]

I think they're for real, CP3 has dragged a pretty meh squad to the number 2 seed in the western conference before.

[fairweatherfan]

They're for real a playoff team, but it's too soon to say if they're really a top squad in the West. 

Chris Paul + anything north of terrible = a playoff berth...it's a little like KG's old situation in Sota.  But what's most remarkable about this run is Paul hasn't had to kill himself or put up ridiculous numbers to win.  They've gelled very well, very quickly. 

A lot depends on what they do with Peja's expiring deal.  If they can get one star or 2-3 legit role players with his contract, they could make a run at the conference finals at the very least.

[Chris]

Its an interesting question.  They have been very good this season, and seem to have returned to the form of a few years ago. 

The problem I see is that they do not have the depth to compete with the truly elite teams in the league in a 7 game series, and because their owner is broke/cheap, I don't see them making the moves necessary to add that depth at the deadline. 

I think they are going to continue to roll in the regular season, but I just do not see them making too much noise in the later rounds in the playoffs without more quality players in the bottom half of their rotation.

[zerophase]

My opinion is that they're overachieving at the moment like how Atlanta started the season or the Mavs a few years back that won 60+ games. I think that when they hit the playoffs there is a high chance of crash and burn like the Mav's huge first round exist to the GSW....

[Who]

Not convinced yet ... I don't think their defense will hold up over time.

I still consider them a 45-48 win caliber team.

[Drucci]

I doubt they can keep it up during the season because one or two injuries would be enough to derail them.

With that said, they seem to have great chemistry and that's the most important point (besides having Chris Paul on their team of course). Every year we see a team that nobody saw coming at this level, that overachieves and goes deep in the playoffs. It was the Nuggets in 2009, the Suns in 2010, now it looks like it's the Hornets turn although it's too early to tell.

I hope their success continues though, they could beat the Lakers in the playoffs in my opinion because Chris Paul would give them a HUGE advantage against L.A (and their frontcourt is OK to face Gasol/Bynum).

[nba is the worst]

I doubt they can keep it up during the season because one or two injuries would be enough to derail them.

With that said, they seem to have great chemistry and that's the most important point (besides having Chris Paul on their team of course). Every year we see a team that nobody saw coming at this level, that overachieves and goes deep in the playoffs. It was the Nuggets in 2009, the Suns in 2010, now it looks like it's the Hornets turn although it's too early to tell.

I hope their success continues though, they could beat the Lakers in the playoffs in my opinion because Chris Paul would give them a HUGE advantage against L.A (and their frontcourt is OK to face Gasol/Bynum).

I agree, the bench is thin as far as bigs go (Mbenga is no 3rd-strng center, much less 2nd), but if they are healthy at the end they are showing they will be tough.

Still, 2nd in points allowed (behind a team they swept) and 2nd in opponents' FG% behind the Mavs) is impressive. With the away/home series vs the Mavs this week, it will be a big surprise if they remain undefeated!

[j804]

Yup Mek and D West both been playing huge for them, gotta love the grit and competitiveness they play with definitely a product of Paul and maybe there new coach as well. I wish them well. Tonights game against the Mavs should be a good one I'm definitely catching it.

[Overrated]

Per Marc Stein:

Fun factoid to keep the Hornets in Dreamland, even after they finally lose one: The last team to take an L in each of the past three seasons (Celts in '07-08, Lakers in '08-09 and Celtics in '09-10) all made it to the Finals.

[wdleehi]

When healthy (team and PG), Paul can raise the playing level of average to good NBA players. 


I think he needs one really good player next to him (so West is the third option) and they become a true championship contender. 

[mgent]

Most underrated team by everyone.

They are easily the second best team in the West right now (maybe tied with the Jazz).

[greenpride32]

They are a very balanced team, in some ways really similiar to the C's.  They have 4 or 5 guys that on any given night can carry the team.  Though I don't think they quite have the depth the C's have (assuming everyone is healthy).

They've beat solid teams as well, so yes they are for real.  To be honest, I'm more surprised by SA's start than NOR.

[Chris]

When healthy (team and PG), Paul can raise the playing level of average to good NBA players. 


I think he needs one really good player next to him (so West is the third option) and they become a true championship contender. 

Agreed.  Although I still think they need more depth as well.  You just can't compete with Jason Smith as you primary backup big man.  

[Assassin70]

Not convinced yet ... I don't think their defense will hold up over time.

I still consider them a 45-48 win caliber team.

/co sign