NBA Preview: NO/OK Hornets

"And I said to Armani, make me look like piano keys"


Changes:
PJ Brown is gone! Was anyone else under the impression that his legs had the ability to shatter like candy canes at the slightest touch? But this is a team where the story is about the incoming: Peja Stojakovic, Tyson Chandler, Bobby Jackson (as well as two first round big men, although I can’t see them getting that much playing time). This merry band of overpaid individuals provides the Wasps with outside shooting, an interior defensive presence, and leg hair while also keeping a capable back up PG on the bench behind golden child Chris Paul after Speedy Claxton’s departure. What does this all mean? I’m concerned about the chemistry as Peja has been mopping around the last couple years after Vlade Divac decided to bring his carton-a-day habit back to the motherland and Bobby Jackson tends to be a shoot first and second PG. Is Tyson Chandler going to be an angry force or is he going to be an angry stiff who airballs layups? Keep an eye on David West, who led the team in scoring last year but might see his shot attempts decrease quicker than Britney Spears’ sex appeal.

Style of Play:
I am pretty sure that the Hornets run the old Nets offense which is a take on the Princeton offense, which means cuts, passing from all positions, and a 40 foot sailboat off of Martha’s vineyard. Chris Paul and Bobby Jackson will push the ball and Desmond Mason could be a beneficiary as Peja’s hair sweatpants might slow him down on the break.

Impact Player:
It has got to be Chris Paul. 16, 7.8 and 5 with 2.2 steals a game? Stat sheet filler. I think the most telling stat is his over 3 to 1 ratio of assists to turnover, a stat that is sometimes alarming in frosh PGs. Sophomore slumps don’t affect people this good. My only grip would be 28% from beyond the stripe.

Player you would most like to get arrested with and where:
Marc Jackson. He’s a darkhorse but I’ll tell you why he’s my pick: He looks like the type of guy that gets really fucked up. Like 4 40’s at cocktail hour fucked up. I would like nothing more than to be arrested with MJ stealing horses from a rodeo in Oklahoma City.

Prediction:
Last year was a heartwarming story as the Oklahomans embraced this team and they finished last year at a respectable 38-44. But unfortunately, they still reside in the Southwest division with the big boys. The team has improved and I could see the record flip flopping to 44-38, the record that got Sacramento into the playoffs last year. With the return of the Rockets and the Timberwolves, I think the Hornets will just miss the playoffs this year. I’m sorry. Really New Orleans, I am.