I have to admit I was pretty upset to learn that Chris Paul wanted out of New Orleans after one disappointing year and gave his personal wish list of places he would like to play. Honestly, it couldn't have made me more mad because I am old school in terms of loyalty, I like it when it happens but I also understand that it's a business more than I like to believe.
So today when I heard from ESPN and others that Paul seemed extremely positive after the meeting with the management after he acted as if he didn't want to be apart of the Nola, he had this to say...
"I expressed my desire to win and I like what they said about the direction that they want to take the team. I have been a Hornet my entire career and I hope to represent the city of New Orleans and state of Louisiana for many years to come."
I am glad Paul went that route because even though New Orleans doesn't clutch on him as much as they did before the New Orleans Saints' Super Bowl victory, they still need Paul. That arena and the team will die faster than anything going on in Cleveland right now and once again, kill professional basketball in the state of Louisiana.
Paul worried that New Orleans couldn't win with the team they have and honestly, I don't see it. I think the Western Conference isn't as strong as it's been in years past. If Paul can stay healthy, the Hornets will find themselves in the playoffs. They have good veterans like Peja Stojakovic, David West, Emeka Okafor and James Posey. Not to mention, two talented young guys who came on strong last season-Marcus Thornton and Darren Collison. The lineup of Paul-Thornton-Peja-West-Okafor would not be a bad one to make a playoff run with a couple guys contributing off their bench.
In my opinion, Paul wanted what his buddy LeBron James just got. All the attention in the world and a great, not a good team around him so he could win right now. I have no idea if Paul realized that leaving New Orleans isn't a good move right now or that he just isn't ready to move on from the team who drafted him.
-Charlie.
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Showing posts with label New Orleans Hornets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Orleans Hornets. Show all posts
Monday, July 26, 2010
Saturday, November 14, 2009
NBA Weekly: A Number Change and a Firing
Just to give my 10 readers out there an idea of what's going on in the next couple of days here at the Corner. We will be doing this NBA article followed by NFL Picks for Week 9 and then a College Basketball preview at the beginning of the week plus a running diary of my Iowa trip (I promise this every time but seriously I'm spending three nights, the stories should be plentiful) .
If I ever do things like "NBA Weekly" or something like that, more times than not I am too late to talk about it so I group it with something that is closely relevant. Anyways, on to one of my favorites, LeBron James.
LeBron made a comment after beating the Miami Heat on Thursday night that he will switch his jersey next year to number six from number 23 because no one should wear Michael Jordan's number. According to Bron, he was so influential to all of the players that are in the league today. While I agree with LBJ that Michael Jordan inspired a ton of people playing today... he needs to read GD book about the NBA if he is asking for a full-on retirement. Like others said on various outlets, Bill Russell and Dr. J should come before Jordan and Jackie Robinson number is retired because he paved the way for African-Americans into the MLB.
Now on to the Byron Scott firing. People have said before the year started that he was on the hotseat to start the year off. No one was shocked by the move and if you really think about New Orleans doesn't have anyone after Chris Paul and David West. Nor will they have anyone because they have a cheap ass owner not willing to spend any money on the team. Scott will coach somewhere next year because for whatever reason, he can get two to three good years out of the team then he loses them. Also Hornets fan might as well start realizing Chris Paul might not be there in a couple years, despite that extension.
-Charlie.
If I ever do things like "NBA Weekly" or something like that, more times than not I am too late to talk about it so I group it with something that is closely relevant. Anyways, on to one of my favorites, LeBron James.
LeBron made a comment after beating the Miami Heat on Thursday night that he will switch his jersey next year to number six from number 23 because no one should wear Michael Jordan's number. According to Bron, he was so influential to all of the players that are in the league today. While I agree with LBJ that Michael Jordan inspired a ton of people playing today... he needs to read GD book about the NBA if he is asking for a full-on retirement. Like others said on various outlets, Bill Russell and Dr. J should come before Jordan and Jackie Robinson number is retired because he paved the way for African-Americans into the MLB.
Now on to the Byron Scott firing. People have said before the year started that he was on the hotseat to start the year off. No one was shocked by the move and if you really think about New Orleans doesn't have anyone after Chris Paul and David West. Nor will they have anyone because they have a cheap ass owner not willing to spend any money on the team. Scott will coach somewhere next year because for whatever reason, he can get two to three good years out of the team then he loses them. Also Hornets fan might as well start realizing Chris Paul might not be there in a couple years, despite that extension.
-Charlie.
Thursday, October 29, 2009
NBA Southwest Division Preview
Keep it going, I am not really that tired so you are getting more of the preview....
1. San Antonio Spurs: KEY PLAYERS: PF Tim Duncan, PG Tony Parker, SG Manu Ginobili OUTLOOK: I think the Spurs have a chance to win the NBA Finals with the additions of Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess, and DeJuan Blair. They have to stay healthy though to have a chance. PREDICTION: 2nd in the Western Conference.
2. Dallas Mavericks: KEY PLAYERS: PF Dirk Notwitzki, SG Josh Howard, SF Shawn Marion OUTLOOK: I wasn't as excited as everybody else about the Marion deal but it should improve them in many ways especially on the defensive end. The Mavs will have a good year from Dirk who isn't dealing with that crazy bitch. PREDICTION: 5th in the Western Conference.
3. Houston Rockets: KEY PLAYERS: PG Aaron Brooks, PF Luis Scola, SF Chuck Hayes OUTLOOK: This seems to be the definition of a scrappy team with a bunch of maybe players and they will be dominated by bigger teams. It will be interesting to see what happens when T-Mac comes back in November. PREDICTION: 9th in the Western Conference.
4. New Orleans Hornets: KEY PLAYERS: PG Chris Paul, C Emeka Okafor, PF David West OUTLOOK: Could create some problems inside with the West-Okafor combination but they have no real mid-range player that makes a difference, please don't say Peja because he is over the hill. PREDICTION: 10th in Western Conference
5. Memphis Grizzlies: KEY PLAYERS: SF Rudy Gay, SG OJ Mayo, PF Zach Randolph OUTLOOK: This has more an And-1 Mixtape team, big time offense with no defensive concepts whatsoever. If they could somehow find a way to play defense then maybe they could do some things. I highly doubt it though. PREDICTION: 12th in the Western Conference.
-Charlie.
1. San Antonio Spurs: KEY PLAYERS: PF Tim Duncan, PG Tony Parker, SG Manu Ginobili OUTLOOK: I think the Spurs have a chance to win the NBA Finals with the additions of Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess, and DeJuan Blair. They have to stay healthy though to have a chance. PREDICTION: 2nd in the Western Conference.
2. Dallas Mavericks: KEY PLAYERS: PF Dirk Notwitzki, SG Josh Howard, SF Shawn Marion OUTLOOK: I wasn't as excited as everybody else about the Marion deal but it should improve them in many ways especially on the defensive end. The Mavs will have a good year from Dirk who isn't dealing with that crazy bitch. PREDICTION: 5th in the Western Conference.
3. Houston Rockets: KEY PLAYERS: PG Aaron Brooks, PF Luis Scola, SF Chuck Hayes OUTLOOK: This seems to be the definition of a scrappy team with a bunch of maybe players and they will be dominated by bigger teams. It will be interesting to see what happens when T-Mac comes back in November. PREDICTION: 9th in the Western Conference.
4. New Orleans Hornets: KEY PLAYERS: PG Chris Paul, C Emeka Okafor, PF David West OUTLOOK: Could create some problems inside with the West-Okafor combination but they have no real mid-range player that makes a difference, please don't say Peja because he is over the hill. PREDICTION: 10th in Western Conference
5. Memphis Grizzlies: KEY PLAYERS: SF Rudy Gay, SG OJ Mayo, PF Zach Randolph OUTLOOK: This has more an And-1 Mixtape team, big time offense with no defensive concepts whatsoever. If they could somehow find a way to play defense then maybe they could do some things. I highly doubt it though. PREDICTION: 12th in the Western Conference.
-Charlie.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Charlotte Loves Their Fans.
If you didnt hear yesterday, the Charlotte Bobcats decided to deal Emeka Okafor to the New Orleans Hornets for Tyson Chandler. This trade doesnt make any sense to me when I first heard about it and many people that are Hornets fans are pumping their fists in the air. While Charlotte feels they just lost the face of their franchise for sure.
The Hornets received a guy like Okafor who has been nothing short of great during his first couple years in Charlotte and that is with nobody helping him out. I expect Okafor if he stays healthy to be an All-Star next year with the tandem of Chris Paul passing you the ball, his numbers will be huge. In addition, I am sure this makes CP3 a very happy man after it seemed as if he "gave up" on coach Bryon Scott last year in the playoffs. I also think New Orleans knows that this may be their last big push for awhile with Peja Stojakovic and Morris Peterson not getting any younger. Now the Scott and his team have no reason not to be the top five teams in the NBA Western Conference next season. I really like the make up of this team if they stay healthy.
The Bobcats now put themselves into the lower part of the Eastern Conference with this deal because Chandler hasnt been good without the likes of a CP3 and I highly doubt that D.J. Augustin will be that guy. Okafor in my opinion was a standout player for them more so than Gerald Wallace due to the fact he was drafted by the team. Including that he has stayed on the court for most of the year. Wallace now takes over the reins and tries to lead a young team to the playoffs which will be a feat in its own.
-Charlie.
The Hornets received a guy like Okafor who has been nothing short of great during his first couple years in Charlotte and that is with nobody helping him out. I expect Okafor if he stays healthy to be an All-Star next year with the tandem of Chris Paul passing you the ball, his numbers will be huge. In addition, I am sure this makes CP3 a very happy man after it seemed as if he "gave up" on coach Bryon Scott last year in the playoffs. I also think New Orleans knows that this may be their last big push for awhile with Peja Stojakovic and Morris Peterson not getting any younger. Now the Scott and his team have no reason not to be the top five teams in the NBA Western Conference next season. I really like the make up of this team if they stay healthy.
The Bobcats now put themselves into the lower part of the Eastern Conference with this deal because Chandler hasnt been good without the likes of a CP3 and I highly doubt that D.J. Augustin will be that guy. Okafor in my opinion was a standout player for them more so than Gerald Wallace due to the fact he was drafted by the team. Including that he has stayed on the court for most of the year. Wallace now takes over the reins and tries to lead a young team to the playoffs which will be a feat in its own.
-Charlie.
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