Ever since the Posey signing, that's all they've talked about. And like I (and many others) said, signing Posey was a HUGE mistake for them. He was NOT what they needed.
If they don't want to deal CP3, I'd take Okafor for T-Mac. Only problem there is we'd probably have to take Pela also. But you're right, if the Lakers get CP3, the NBA should be investigated!
Sounds like that will accomplish two things... 1. Keep overhead costs down. 2. Further disenchant Paul.
I knew this was coming but I don't believe he deserved to be fired. The team was built to fail. Their management is just as bad as Golden State. Their owner has his family running the whole show and they clearly don't know what they're doing. Posey was a bad deal. Paja was a bad contract. They knew he was on the down end of his career. I like Byron Scott. He's a very underrated coach.
I think this really helps the Rockets playoff hopes, unless a firing was just needed to light a fire under the rest of the Hornets team.
Hmm... Mark Jackson working the Hornets/Suns game alone. JVG mysteriously joins Hubie on the Cavs/Magic broadcast...
WOW!! They are really turning it around! ESPN just reported that in addition to Bower (the GM, former Hornets assistant coach & no head coaching experience), the Hornets have hired Tim Floyd as an assistant coach. The Bulls must be ROFLOL!
That's what it looks like to me... but unless they come up with a real coach, the ultimate result is probably a failure.
Don't overlook the first string. Peja is barely a competent NBA player anymore. He is one of the few "pure shooters" in the game who seems to have lost his shot. Losing athleticism, sure. Becoming a worse defender, fine. But he's just an average 3 point shooter now, and is even worse inside the line. He's shooting 36% on the season. He doesn't do much of anything else, but worst of all, his defense is horrible. If you watched the game last night, you heard the commentators describe how Hornet's opponent strategy involves going after whoever Peja is guarding. Who else has started games for the Hornets this year. Morris Peterson, Julian Wright and Devin Brown...yikes! Peja's $14 million salary, which runs another year next year, is the real albatross, but MoPete is getting paid $6+ million and Posey is getting paid $6+ million. They're salary for next year (2010/2011) is already at $73 million, so they will have no money to spend and have to improve through the draft. It's a horrible situation, really, because even if they don't make the playoffs, they won't likely have a top pick, but somewhere around 10-14...which is hit or miss in the draft. Should Scott have been let go? Arguable. They have losses to the Spurs, Celtics, Lakers and Suns...all teams with better personnel. They also have losses to the Knicks (unexcusable) and Raptors (similar, perhaps better personnel). They have beaten the Clipeprs and Kings (to be expected) and the Mavs (CP3 went off for 39). Considering how difficult it will be for the Hornets to change their roster for the better for at least 2 seasons, probably makes sense. If you're the Hornets, I think the choice is either to package Peja + Paul for expiring contract, good young talent and/or draft picks, or suffer through this year and next year. I don't see many other teams super eager about West/Okafor and the rest of their squad, as noted, is overpaid or sucks. If the Hornets continue to suffer, and their are some financial issues, woudl a trade like: Houston Trades: T-Mac, Brooks, Dorsey, 2010 Draft Pick New Orleans Trade: Chris Paul, Peja work for either team?
FYI... this year, the Hornets have $73.1 million committed to their current roster. Next year, it's only $71.7 million.
Yeah its like the owners/GM want to guilt players into playing better. In an average work setting I think people would feel guilty if their actions somehow caused the termination of a co-worker.. I'm not sure that applies in the NBA.
