09-10 Record: 37-45
Coach: Monty Williams 1st year with New Orleans
Off Season Moves
Additions: Joe Alexander , Mustafa Shakur, Marco Belinelli, Trevor Ariza, Willie Green
Draft: Quincy Pondexter
Losses: Sean Marks, James Posey, Darren Collison, Morris Peterson, Julian Wright
Projected Rotation
C Emeka Okafor
PF David West
SF Trevor Ariza
SG Marcus Thornton
PG Chris Paul
F Peja Stojakovic
G Willie Green
G Marco Belinelli
C Jason Smith
G Jannero Pargo
F Quincey Pondexter
F Joe Alexander
C Aaron Gray
F Pops Mensah Bonsu
G DJ Strawberry
Injuries to All League point guard Chris Paul led to a major dip in wins in 09-10. Chris Paul is back and healthy which prompted the Hornets to trade Paul's backup rookie sensation Darren Collison to Indiana in the 4 team deal that landed them Trevor Arizia. In Ariza the Hornets pick up a scoring wing that should mesh nicely with Paul. At the 2 guard spot hometown kid 2nd year Marcus Thornton is in line for the spot. Thornton, a second round pick in last years draft, had a solid rookie season and is hoping to be able to build off of that. David West battled injuries like Paul last year and that and he hopes to be healthy and regain his form of 2008 when the Hornets were one of the best teams out West. At Center will be Emeka Okafor. The former #2 overall pick out of UConn has been mostly a disappointment. Despite averaging a career double double he has yet to become the dominant inside force he was for the 2004 National Champion Huskies. Okafor is in a contract year and has a lot to prove. For Emeka its likely put up or get shipped out at the trade deadline. The bench for the Hornets is relatively thin. The unit will be led by veteran sharp shooter Peja Stojakovic. Stojakovic has been battling injuries as he enters the latter days of his career but, if he stays healthy he gives the Hornets some nice offense off the bench. The rest of the bench is consisted of Willie Green, Marco Belinelli, Jason Smith, Quincy Pondexter, and Joe Alexander. The biggest story coming out of the Crescent City is the future of Chris Paul. If the Hornets fail to show a commitment to winning they risk losing their franchise in Chris Paul. A healthy Chris Paul and David West could lead the Hornets back into playoff contention in the West but how long will Paul be a Hornet? The answer to this question will be a huge factor in the future of this franchise.
Hornets fan? Check out http://www.atthehive.com/
No comments:
Post a Comment