Are These Hornets For Real?

[housecall]

"You are what your record says you are",words of Bill Parcells.I find it to be true in most cases.

[Greenbean]

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.  

Yes this is the weakness I think will limit them as well. One poster made a good point in mentioning Peja's expiring contract. If the owner ponies up they could fill out that bench nicely even though Peja isnt playing too bad.

[LakersFan_33]

I watched a couple Hornets games...These guys play some amazing defense. Belinelli and Ariza are a perfect fit with Paul, as they can both hit the long ball. West and Okafor are a very tough and strong front line. I just kinda see Chris Paul as p---ed off for not making the playoffs last year. With that said, though...They are overachieving a bit, and will drop off...

I'm currently seeing the top 4 being L.A., Dallas, NO and San Antonio.

[dooyork]

These Hornets are not for real.  I predict they finish under 500 and get in as the 7th or 8th seed, then lose, then Chris Paul leaves, then David West gets arrested for a DWI, then the team moves to Las Vegas.

[Greenbean]

These Hornets are not for real.  I predict they finish under 500 and get in as the 7th or 8th seed, then lose, then Chris Paul leaves, then David West gets arrested for a DWI, then the team moves to Las Vegas.

Lol.

[nba is the worst]

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.

I like it - especially how it directly conflicts with the one where every time a Phil Jackson-coached team has started 7-0, they have won the title.

[ManUp]

Yes, in the sense that they will make the play-offs and make noise.However, they aren't beating the Lakers. The best hope of that lies with Popovich and the surprise Spurs. All they need is a little luck and health.

[xmuscularghandix]

Teams that win because of defense are real… So yes.

[Fafnir]

Teams that win because of defense are real… So yes.

I don't think they'll be able to remain the best defensive team in the league, they don't have the personal for it.

[guava_wrench]

Most underrated team by everyone.

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

Many not great teams have had 8 game winning streaks.

I would wait before passing judgment.

[FanFromTheChedda]

You never know with CP3...they will go as far as he takes them

[fairweatherfan]

They look it tonight...don't know if they'll beat Dallas but they look like the better team out there.

[xmuscularghandix]

You never know with CP3...they will go as far as he takes them

I disagree. I thought that was the problem with previous Hornet teams. This season seems to be playing more of a team game. Obviously Paul is their best player and their leader, but he doesn’t have to create for every player anymore, he doesn’t have to handle the ball ALL game.

[Dybdal]

Also watching the DAL-vs-NOH game thats in the 4th right now and before everyone takes this game as a messurement for the Hornets, i would just like to say that it should not be this close as allmost every dallas player except Jason Terry havnt been able to buy a basket in the 2nd half (and we are not talking highly contested shots).

While their defense is highly rated at the moment, it was hard for me to get a propper look at it, their offense though is 110% legit, their ball movement and interior passing is better than anyone in the league right now bar none, its very impressive to see them pick that Dallas offense to pieces because as we saw, its quite good.

And the refs are doing a horrible job officiating the game, as the amount of beating people are taking on the court is redicules.

If their defense is as good as the stats says it is and they can maintain something simular into the playoffs, they could go all the way.. they have a solid bench, solid rotations and mentality and closers. they have everything they should need to compete with the best in the league in a seven game series.

[Dybdal]

Game over! Dallas wins! a pretty good win for Dallas but for a moment there they fell into the very same trap that we seem to fall into at the end of close games by going away from what got us the lead and go with pure ISO's.

They got lucky that the Hornetts didnt capatalize on it though as they quickly got back to running actual offensive sets to get the W.

Over all my opinon stays the same about the Hornets, they have all the offensive tools needed to win it all with a good enough bench.

If they can contain the likes of the Lakers on the defensive end in a seven game series the Hornets are as dangerous as anyone in the league but its early in the season and i honnestly dont hope they do well as my dislike for Chris Paul is becomming bigger and bigger every time i see him.

He whines in the offseason even though he has a rock solid team, continues to play like a spoiled brat on the court getting away with allmost anything from traveling when going to the basket to pushing screen'ers away with his forearm while Rondo is getting flak from quite a few angles these days regarding traveling calls.

Thumbs up for Dallas though, one of the teams i have hopes for this season.. i would LOVE to see one of the greatest point guards in the history of the game end his carrer with a ring (as long as its not on the expense of us in the finals)