The New Orleans Hornets are in Trouble
We mentioned earlier last week Chris Paul has a cloudy future in New Orleans. The Hornets got a taste of how far off they are from being a title contender as the Los Angeles Lakers dismantled the Hornets with ease on Sunday night
The Lakers basically cruised to a victory without any resistance by the Hornets.
Things look bleak for New Orleans (Credit: picapp.com)
This game was over by the end of the first half. The Hornets had little fight in them, other than Chris Paul’s sense of pride, to close things out. The Hornets were playing solely for statistics and trying to make this game look less horrible on paper than it was to watch.
The harsh reality for the Hornets is both Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum sat out, and the Lakers still managed a 16-point victory. This slams the door on any hope of success this season for New Orleans, unless they drastically change things. Any top level playoff team in the Western Conference should be able to give the Lakers a fight when theyare without their top big. This is nothing less than inexcusable.
DJ Mbenga matched Emeka Okafor’s double-double. Basically, the Lakers 3rd tier center managed to hang with the center the Hornets discarded Tyson Chandler to acquire.
Chris Paul had a less than normal night in a game where they needed an above average performance from CP3.
The Hornets have no depth this year. Paul faces a season in which he will be taxing his body like none other. James Posey and Peja Stojakovic combined for 16 points on 5-15 shooting.
If this is the only fire power your bench offers, you have no chance against NBA talent. It was announced today that coach Byron Scott is demoting the ineffective Julian Wright to the bench, and returning Stojakovic to the starting lineup. Wright is better suited for small bursts of high energy off the bench.
Chris Paul is in need of help, and fast. The Hornets desperately need to make moves. Even if those moves include trading David West or purging the entire roster. Something has to give, even if it means firing Byron Scott. Any form of shakeup is good at this point.
One thing is for sure, if the Hornets continue on the path they are currently on, Chris Paul will start trade demands sooner than later.
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Mon, Nov 9, 2009 by Adam Sedie
News, Opinions