Chris Paul is the Hornets franchise player and arguably the top fantasy player in the game.
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Even though last year’s charge to the NBA Championship finals fell short, the New Orleans Hornets proved to the league’s elite that this team is here to stay, with a legitimate shot at winning it all this season. “This is a team of now,” says Coach Byron Scott. “We’re not a team of the future anymore, we’re not looking two or three years down the line.
Scott was not only one game away from the Championship series last season before a gutty come from behind effort at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs knocked them out in seven games, he was also the runaway choice for NBA’s Coach of the Year.
Everything came together in a hurry for the Hornets last season after being forced to relocate to Oklahoma City due to the tragedy of hurricane Katrina that turned their home into an emergency evacuation site. Even with all the turmoil and unsettling that surrounded New Orleans, the team managed to pull together and win a franchise record 56 games.
The biggest addition for Scott and the Hornets this offseason was the signing of free agent guard James Posey, who was more than instrumental in helping the Celtics win the title last year. Coming off the bench, Posey’s impact will loom large for the Hornets with his tenacious flair for the ball on the defensive end, and ability to handle both the guard or forward positions, which was one of the few weaknesses for the Hornets last season. Posey should be the first man in to spell either David West or Peja Stoyakovic.
“He just doesn’t make mistakes on offense” says Scott. “He takes great shots and does all the things he can do and doesn’t try to go overboard.” “Right now we’re looking at him as our sixth man, and probably our first guy off the bench,” adds Scott. “You look at his track record; He’s won everywhere he’s been. I think we’re a better basketball team with him.”
“It’s such a unique addition for us from the standpoint of the mentality that he plays with.” Says general manager Jeff Bower regarding Posey. He fits with what we are trying to do, and how we try to build this team.” “He has three point shooting ability and can be a defender that can end possessions, as well as have an impact on the boards.”
David West emerged as one of the top Power Forwards in the league posting a career high 26.1 ppg while hauling down a not too shabby 8.6 boards per contest. West’s lights out ability landed him a trip to the All-Star game for the first time in his five years in the league.
Peja Stojakovic led the team in three point field goals last season with an impressive 44% from behind the arc. Despite his overall productivity falling, Stojakovic still averaged 16.4 ppg while establishing a career low in turnovers with less than one per contest.
The Hornets are counting more than ever on the increased play of center Tyson Chandler Chandler averaged a career high 35.2 minutes per game. He shot an amazing second best 62.3% from the field thanks to teammate Chris Paul’s dishing the rock to an always-open Chandler. He also established an inside presence grabbing a franchise record 928 boards.
Franchise player Chris Paul is more than happy to stay in New Orleans for at least the next five seasons, when the runner-up in the MVP voting signed a lucrative contract back in July. Paul had two years remaining on his original contract before signing the extension.
“New Orleans is where I want to be” says Paul. “We have a great franchise, and I am blessed to have an opportunity to be a Hornet, We look forward to many great moments ahead.”
Paul’s third year in the league proved to be a productive on as the 6’0” guard set career highs with 21.1 points, 11.6 assists, and nearly three steals per contest. He also set franchise records with 10 assists in 59 games and recorded double doubles in 56 of those games, while setting marks with 217 steals and 925 assists.
The New Orleans Hornets have become the elite of the elite with talent at every position, and with the addition of Posey they are a definite favorite to win the NBA championship this season. With the nucleus of young and talented players the Hornets are set to challenge the San Antonio Spurs and the Chicago Bulls as one of the most heralded dynasties in the NBA.
Prediction; 1ST Place - NBA Champions
Mike Zink has been a part time sports reporter for nearly 15 years, covering all of the major circuits plus most college and high school sports. Fantasy Sports is relatively new to him but plans to treat it like everything else he has covered. Being the new kid on the block, with just a little under five years as a Fantasy Sports contributor Mike plans to go all out as basketball is his number one passion and his goal is to keep you up to speed in your respective leagues. In his spare time Mike works for several local papers, and has interviewed many of the top players in the game, so he feels qualified in bringing the very best that he can give.