Halftime Hype

Just when many thought there no big moves left in the offseason, a four-team trade was made involving the Indiana Pacers, New Jersey Nets, Houston Rockets, and New Orleans Hornets. In the trade, Courtney Lee was dealt to Houston, Trevor Ariza will be a Hornet, the Nets got Troy Murphy, while Darren Collison and James Posey will be heading to Indianapolis.

We can't say we didn't see this coming. When Chris Paul was throwing lobs to Tyson Chandler that resulted in emphatic alley-oops, it was obvious that any team with this point guard, along with some decent talent, could be pretty dangerous. Two years ago, CP3 finished second in MVP voting, right after the one-and-only Kobe Bryant - just had to mention Kobe there. Last season, they won 49 games, but in a tough Western Conference that only secured a 7 spot. Regardless, this team has a very bright future. Unlike Oklahoma City, who I was planning to devote a post to, the Hornets have a better sense of direction and what appears to be higher IQ. That may be because of the veteran presence of Peja, Posey, Antonio Daniels, and even Mo Pete. But the rest of the team is worth noting too.

Honestly, I will miss those choreographed pick-n-rolls between Paul and Chandler. It was just such a beautiful maneuver, possibly the Hornets' only set play, and wasn't performed that efficiently since the Andre Miller-Marcus Camby days. But let's face it, Chandler never reached his potential in Louisiana. With the trade for Okafor, New Orleans' has acquired a young man with a bright future who's averaging 13 points-10 rebounds. Despite the great backups in the backcourt of Darren Collison and Antonio Daniels, Paul and Okafor will definitely be the focus of the highlight reel, and this team should surely surpass the 49 wins of last season.



The veteran presence at the small forward position for this team can also be intimidating. James Posey may no longer have youthful energy in him, but he does have his shot. And if he can't find his shot Peja Stojakavic, a former Three-Point Shootout champ, would be glad to step onto the court for some action. Even at thirty-two years of age, Posey is still hitting nearly 37% of his three-point attempts. Peja, the same age, is actually doing better than his teammate, and converting on about 39% of his launches from behind the arc. This is probably the overlooked part of the Hornets' team. The young guns think they can muscle their way past these two vets, but then again, they're vets and know the system.

This squad also has one of the most improved, and still improving, power forward in David West. For years, nobody ever paid any attention to the man. Now, he's an All-Star and averages 21 points and 8.5 rebounds. This scholar, Mr. West, continues to create match-up problems around the league. I know that when my hometown Lakers have to put a body on the guy, he often ends up scorching us anyway. I worry a bit, though, about the effectiveness of the second-tier Julian Wright. If West does end up injured, will Wright be capable of handling the league's elite big men? Regardless, the test for West and Wright, or more broadly, the entire frontcourt, will come when the Hornets have to guard Duncan, Garnett, or Pau Gasol. Hopefully, West and Wright have been building up muscle and have been busy prepping in the offseason.



I truly believe that this Hornets team will outperform that of last season. There is just so much more upside in Okafor than in Chandler. Plus, the roster has barely been modified. Except for the fantastic signing of UCLA standout, Darren Collison, who Paul should mentor and mold into a future superstar - and I'm not just saying that 'cause he's from UCLA. The depth chart of this squad may not look to daunting, but just wait 'til these Hornets step onto the court.

Update: In the last post (Up-and-Coming Coaches, 8/6/09) I mentioned how Rambis seemed to be "all but gone." Turns out, my time on the post was well-spent, and my Lakers lost their assistant coach, Kurt "Superman" (as nicknamed by the late and great Chick Hearn) Rambis, to a head coaching position with the Timberwolves. I wish Rambis the best of luck. He'll need it when trying to improve a team that couldn't even muster 30 wins last year.

Since the beginning of the last century, theologians and uneducated fans have made a big deal out of the NCAA's "playoffs," otherwise referred to as "March Madness." While it is a showcase of entertaining basketball games, it's cornered around miraculousness as opposed to true talent. Some might argue that "hey, they're just college kids. They're still developing their atheletic abilities." And I agree with that. Which is why I believe NBA playoffs > March Madness. Indeed, the true madness starts in April.



To further emphasize my point, take this comparison: Would you rather eat fruit before its ripe or wait until it's fully grown to enjoy the juicy citrus? The NBA playoffs are the delicious, ripe orange. But I'm still aware of the lingering opposition who may claim that "Upsets rarely ever happen in the NBA. It's way more fun seeing underdogs turn into gods in the NCAA tourney." And I can't refute that. However, I am predicting at least one major upset this year...

Western Conference Playoff Upset (2009 edition)

#2 Denver vs. #7 New Orleans - Don't get me wrong - I have a great deal of respect for the Denver Nuggets. They have completely rebuilt themselves and found a reliable point guard - who, I guess you could say, has elevated them to "elite" status. Whether or not they'll remain in that position is questionable. That said, there's no way the Nuggets will have an answer for Chris Paul & Co. I strongly oppose the people who constantly over-hype CP3 as a young basketball god. In fact, I believe Deron Williams is a better player than him. But NO's weapons can outplay Denver's tattoo artists - on most days, anyway. Even though Ronnie Brewer has been silently assassinating opposing teams throughout the season and Carlos Boozer is always a threat - think about the flip side; the Hornets have an All-Star and determined player in David West and a deadly shooter (if he is able to find a rhythm) in Peja. Then of course there's the PG match-up between the well-season Chauncy Billups and the striving star, Chris Paul. CP3's quickness and leadership have proved to be essential in all of the Hornets victories. I'm counting on him to outrun Billups on the break. Then again, I trust Billups' experience with the Pistons has made him wiser and that Billups will have the edge in decision-making, which will likely result in fewer turnovers (compared to CP3). The PG verdict: Chris Paul's speed will prevail over Billups' playoff expertise. And I'm looking forward to seeing Carmelo Anthony vs. David West. Obviously, Carmelo is the better player, but just like Ron Artest, his judgement down the stretch is not to be trusted. The big X-factor will be Tyson Chandler. How many minutes he plays - and how much or how little he produces in those minutes - will make the difference in this potential upset. I, personally, am confidant that Chandler (as well as most other centers in the NBA) can dominate against the drug-fueled Chris "Birdman" Andersen. For Denver, the x-factor from the beginning of the season has always been J.R. Smith. On some nights, he plays exceptional basketball as he lights the scoreboard and creates some great posters in the process. On other nights, he hurts the team more than he assists them, by playing selfishly with the bench and missing easy oppurtunities. The final verdict: the Hornets have enough jazz on their roster to not only outclass, but outplay the Nuggets.

By the way, from the posts written up to this point it may appear that this blog has a Western Conference bias - which is why my next post will either be an exclusive analysis of an Eastern Conference playoff match-up or a spotlight on a certain team.
So stay tuned!

Dope Jam of the Day

Disco Club - Black Eyed Peas - This song may be old but I hadn't heard it until I put my iPod on shuffle this week. The intro is majestic in the modern-sense. This song possesses the full extent of the Black Eyed Peas' genuine swagger : fresh, catchy rhymes that are a joy to listen to, clear and smooth vocals that give more meaning to the lyrics, a Middle-Eastern influence that makes the song, um...fun, to dance to (particularly if you're with a b/g-friend), and the grandest horns you'll ever hear in rap. For some reason, the song reminds me of "Don't Cha" by the PussyCat Dolls, except with much more vocal variety. I was really amazed to hear the vocal clarity of will.i.am, the slick rhyming of Taboo, and who knew Fergie sang so well back in the day? Listen to it by clicking here and click on the track thats 3:50.