[OrangeJuiceJonesParticipant]

Another night of no sleep, another essay.
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Whenever you look at the NBA’s current contenders, they all have one thing in common: a 2 or 3 who can consistently create his own shot. Carmelo Anthony and Denver, LeBron James and Cleveland, Paul Pierce and Boston, Manu and the Spurs, and of course Kobe and the Lakers. The Hornets don’t have this type of player.

They must rely heavily on the creativity of Chris Paul to make shots from the perimeter. Morris Peterson is an inconsistent jump shooter who struggles to create separation. Peja can be a threat if he’s healthy, but that’s a big if. Julian Wright is a bit of a sloppy ball handler, and his jumper is nothing to write home about, to say the least. They are kind of identical to the Suns and Jazz, in that they have an elite PG-PF combination that can give them consistent scoring and supreme ball control. However, this obviously isn’t enough to give them a shot at the title or a high playoff seed.

After struggling towards the end of last year’s regular season and a dismal playoff performance against the Nuggets, I began to doubt whether this Hornets team was headed in the right direction. I see this team struggling to make the playoffs this year, as San Antonio (Richard Jefferson, Antonio McDyess, and Dejuan Blair), Los Angeles (Ron Artest), Denver (drafting Ty Lawson), and Portland (Andre Miller and an improving young core) all made significant moves to improve. Their chances to immediately improve next year are minuscule, as they have limited cap space and a 2010 draft with limited immediate impact players at the 2 and 3 spots. Do you guys agree or disagree that the Hornets will struggle to win 45 games and/or make the playoffs this year?
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[The Big O]

the lottery

[TheAlchemist]

you need some sleeping tablets man

[Disrespect_MeParticipant]

😉

[IndianaBasketballParticipant]

I agree and I posted about this not too long ago. I think the Hornets will struggle to make the playoffs due to their lack of perimeter/wing scoring. Wright isn’t that good and Peja has a bad back. Mo Pete hasn’t been the same for years. Thornton will be good, but he’s just a rookie. As great as Chris Paul is, even he needs someone to pass the ball to. They also still don’t have a reliable backup for Paul and they’re relying on him to score more than ever right now.

[sheltwon3Participant]

I like the Hornets. I mean I am a fan of them obviously but I like the Okafor pick up. I am upset that the rookies are not playing. Collison and Thorton would be better off the bench than those current bench players. If Scott is not playing rookies, they need to trade for a shooting guard and they are probably kicking themselves for giving Butler away.

[gatorheelsParticipant]

Morris Peterson & Julian Wright do not need to be starting.  They are weak links in that starting lineup.  You can’t compete in the West with too many weaknesses in your lineup.  

I agree with Sheltwon…..Hornets need to play the rookies more.  Collison is a smart player, he deserves some playing time.  Thornton is a great scorer.  I read that the reason Marcus Thornton wasn’t playing any is because his defense is terrible.  He is athletic enough to improve though, just has to get motivated.

In the 2010 draft the Hornets need to draft a Small Forward in the 1st round in my opinion.   In the 2nd round they should pickup a big post player.

[llperez]

Okafor and West both played poorly last night and they were still in the game. Too early to write them off as a playoff team. But with Petersen and Wright as your starting wings, Chris Paul is gonna have to be the mvp of this league and put up video game stats if they are gonna advance in the playoffs. Hopefully peja can stay healthy and help them out. Or maybe the Hornets and Wizards could work out a trade to send Nick Young over to the hornets since they aren’t using him.

[sheltwon3Participant]

The should sign Wally world. He may not be able to guard but he can shoot and take pressure off Paul.

[sheltwon3Participant]

nevermind they have Thorton. The just need to play him and Collison. Bobby Brown is not the answer.

[Author]

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