Ok well since my Saints suck and LSU is just to young for me to expect much out of them this season, I guess it's time for me to focus my attention on something more realistic...the Hornets just might be the best in the West!

Now before chewing my head off you might need to know that I am first and foremost a Laker fan who just so happens to be born and raised in New Orleans. However I am a realist and do like the Hornets as well, therefor I think they have a very realistic shot this season. Here's why I think they may win the Western Conference.

CP3- Hands down the best PG in the NBA today! Sure Deron Williams has been better in head to head matchups, he still isn't better in my opinion until he gets the Jazz deeper in the playoffs. Paul made an All-Star out of David West last season, which goes a long way with me. 20 points,over 2 steals and more than 10 assist a game last season is another reason he is the better point guard at this time. If Paul can repeat those same stats this season, he'll also be in the running again for MVP of the league. Paul plays very good defense for being such a small guy going against bigger PG than himself most of the time. He led the league in steals with 2.7 a game.

David West- West is a better player than most people would give him credit for. His mid-range shot is consistant and he has a post presence to go along with it. He compliments Paul really well and led the Hornets in blocked shots also. West averaged 20 points a game last season to go along with 8.9 rebounds. Don't forget West is still young only being in the league 5 years now. He has plenty to learn and will get better as long as he's playing with CP3. Who knows how far they'd have gone in the playoffs last year had he not been hit in the back by Robert Horry during their series with the Spurs. West gave the Spurs and Tim Duncan fits in the playoffs.

Tyson Chandler- Chandler wasn't living up to his potential in Chicago but has steadily increased his performance each year since joining the Hornets. His 11.8 rebounds led the team but his ability to pull down offensive rebounds is how he mainly helped the Hornets win games. Add to the fact that Paul could break down defenses and they also had to worry about West and Peja outside, it left Chandler many chances to receive alley-oops from Paul uncontested. Chandler has a great attitude also, which is big with coach Byron Scott. If Chandler can add a little more offense again this season it would greatly improve the Hornets chances of winning the West.

The Bench- The loss of Jannero Pargo isn't as big a deal as the so called experts would have you believe. I think he was a selfish player at times, paticularly during the playoffs when he threw up so many quick shots even though he was missing 90% of them. Mike James if anything can be that same player, he's a shoot first PG also but has worked hard on his assist skills this off-season knowing that it's the only way to lobby for more minutes from Scott.

The Hornets also added Devin Brown to the lineup again. He played here in New Orleans 2 seasons ago and has the ability to shoot 3 pointers consistantly. Julian Wright who showed plenty of potential last season should be better this season. he's a pretty good perimeter defender and much like Posey plays physical. James Posey is what makes this bench much stronger than in recent seasons. His abillity to knock down threes in bunches and frustrate opposing players is something the Hornets lacked during last years playoff run.

Byron Scott- Scott is a great coach and deserves lots of credit for what he's been able to put together here in New Orleans. He understands the game perfectly and what it takes to win in this league. He's a hard nosed coach and during off-season training camp runs his team to death. It helps having a player like Chris Paul but it also helps having played on championship teams at the same position. Him and Paul have a great player/coach relationship something that is very rare in todays sports world. If the Hornets can improve on last year, Scott may win the coach of the year honors again.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The Hornets are currently unbeaten for the pre-season and CP3 and West have picked up where they left off last season. With the exception of the Jazz,Blazers and Lakers other Western conference teams are getting old. The Lakers are the biggest threat to the Hornets but the Jazz aren't any chumps either. I just feel this may be the Hornets year and they'll be the first team to bring a championship to New Orleans. Of course I'm still a Laker fan but wouldn't be hurt if the Hornets did the unthinkable.