New Orleans looks to be very mediocre in the west. In the east, they'd be in the playoffs no doubt. They have talent, but like somebody previously said they are very inconsistent. I don't know how much better they are than last year, and their bench/ role players have gotten another year older and have declined.
I don't understand why everyone is calling the Hornets inconsistent and mediocre. They overachieved two years ago, and were absolutely KILLED by injuries last year (and still were in the playoff hunt). These guys will be pretty darn good if they can get a healthy year under their belts. I mean, damn, how many times will they have to hand us our asses before guys on this board stop overlooking them?
Question: Assuming they don't get "killed by injuries", where do you think they will finish in the WC this season? Any higher than 7th?
I don't think anyone is overlooking the Hornets, but I just don't think they're above being an average team in the west. I would put them in the same category as Golden State, LA Lakers and Clippers, and probably Memphis as mediocre teams battling for the last two spots in the playoffs since it's almost a given that Phoenix, Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, Utah, and Denver will make it barring anything major happening.
still not good enough to make the playoffs in the strong east. are you a transplanted fan from new orleans? i don't want you to take it personally if you are. they do have a good team and they could easily make the playoffs if they were in the east.
Didn't we learn last year that where a team finishes in the west doesn't determine that they're mediocre or any less dangerous in the first round? The conference is just too talent loaded. Not having as good a record as Phoenix, Dallas, San Antonio, Utah, and hopefully us (it better be), doesn't make a team mediocre and it certainly doesn't make them an easy out come playoff time. (And yes, i think they are better than the Lakers, Warriors, and Nuggets when healthy. there is something to be said for structure and defense). That said, I hope we whup the hell out of them when we play them next season. They were starting to get too damn cocky against us and need to be put in their place.
50/50. If both the Lakers and Warriors put together decent seasons, the Hornets will not make the playoffs. But it's likely at least one of them will have a rough time. Even so, it's possible the Hornets themselves will flame out.
Man, you really underrate them, imo. But we'll see how it turns out soon enough. Start of the season is only 6 weeks away (God, it feels good to type that).
I don't think we underrate them, it is just so difficult to make the playoffs in the West. You remember Hakeem's last year with the Rockets? The Rockets won 45 games that year (2000/2001) and that still was not good enough to earn a playoff spot. If the Hornets are going to break through, I think it will be the Lakers that fall.
I like the Warriors roster a lot better than the Hornets. Starters: Davis, Ellis, Jackson, Harrington, Biedrins Bench: Barnes, Pietrus, Azubuike from last year; Belinelli is a ready-to-play rookie, Croshere is serviceable, and Brandan Wright will get minutes.
Didn't we have a identical thread last year. Like i said last year, i seriously doubt they will make te play offs.
Probably have some members who moved here from New Orleans after Katrina and still follow their team. It's cool.
I think the thread last year resulted from their additions of Tyson Chandler and Peja. Most people here correctly had them pegged as overrated by the national media. This season it seems like expectations are more in line with reality. At best, they will be a lower seed facing a tough first round opponent. Not much to look forward to.
The hornets are a testament to Chris Paul. Before Chris Paul, West was a scrub and Chandler was a disappointment. Still the waterbugs don't strike fear in the hearts of the ROX....
I feel for them. If they were in the East, they would have no problems making the playoffs. I see it where Portland (even w/o oden), New Orleans, Memphis, and maybe the Clippers could make the playoffs if they were in the Eastern Conference.
Hell, I doubt that New Orleans could even make the playoffs in the East this year. Cleveland, Detroit, Chicago, Washington, Toronto, New Jersey, Orlando, and Boston are all better than New Orleans. Miami should be better if Shaq and Wade both stay healthy the entire year. Milwaukee will have a healthy Redd, plus they added Yi. I could see New York as a playoff darkhorse this year. I think we could see five 50 win teams in the East this year...
