The Hornets made the most dramatic improvement in the NBA last season,
raising their win total by 20, from 18 in 2004-05 to 38.
Last season the Hornets finished 25th in the league in scoring, averaging a
paltry 92.8 points. Enter free-agent forward Peja Stojakovic, a career
18.4-points-per-game scorer who was signed to a five-year, $64 million contract
The Hornets had a busy off-season,
also acquiring Bobby Jackson, and former Bull Tyson Chandler, along with
first-round draft picks Hilton Armstrong and Cedric Simmons. The additions to a
team that somehow started 31-25 last season and featured Rookie of the Year
Chris Paul have fans in New Orleans and Oklahoma City buzzing
Chandler, Armstrong, and Simmons
provide frontcourt depth, and Chandler in particular should enjoy playing with
Paul. Chandler is an athletic big man who needs help to score in the paint, and
Paul's penetration may be just the boost to finally turn Chandler into a
double-digit scorer. Armstrong and Chandler are prolific shot-blockers as well,
and should improve New Orleans' defense, which ranked 21st in opposition field
goal percentage a year ago
New Orleans will have a bounty of
scoring options and one of the NBA's best pure point guards in Paul. With an
improved defense, New Orleans should be thinking playoffs even in the crowded
Western Conference
Season Opener:
Nov. 1 at Boston (7:30 p.m. ET)
Get
Hornets Tickets Home Opener:
Nov. 5 vs Houston (7 p.m. ET)
