The Hornets: Can They Contend?

Okay, less than a quarter of the way into the season, the New Orleans Hornets are definitely the surprise team of the league, starting the year 11-1, despite finishing in the lottery the year before.  Obviously the return of Chris Paul and the addition of Trevor Ariza makes a huge difference to this team.  Now that they have dumped Peja's corpse, things in New Orleans look better by the day.  But can they contend with the best of the west (see: Las Angeles Lakers)?

The Hornets are a team built for the regular season.  They're athletic and have sharpshooters that flank the floor.  They're even playing a slow-it-down style of basketball, giving up only 90.4 points per game.  Chris Paul clearly resembles pre-injury CP3 which is a scary thought for all teams.  He's playing the pick and roll with David West, making him look like an all-star again.  Ariza, Bellinelli and Marcus Thorton can all score in bunches.  Okafor anchors a defense that clamps down on the opposing team.

So let's say that they continue their exemplary play and cruise their way into the playoffs.  The road to the Finals goes through the Lakers, so if I had to put money on a Hornets-Lakers series, I'm going to go with L.A. in five.

Paul will cause fits for the Lakers, but so did Westbrook last year and the Lakers still pulled that series off in six.  Obviously Paul's a major upgrade over Westbrook, but Durant is like fillet Mignon compared to Ariza.  This is where things start to go from bad to worse for the Hornets.  Ariza's length will cause problems for Kobe, but the way Bryant has played this year shows he's still the premier shooting guard in the league.  He looks more determined than ever to capture his sixth ring.  David West and Okafor or Gasol, Odom and Bynum?  That's a joke right?  The three-headed beast the Lakers have would cause fits for the Hornets down low.  David West can't guard a tissue.  How will he handle Pau Gasol putting up career numbers?  The Lakers' depth will certainly tip the scales further in their direction, especially with Shannon Brown's play and a likely return to the bench for Odom once Bynum returns.

Man, every time I write about the Lakers, I throw up in my mouth.  But this talk about the Hornets competing with them is ludicrous (then again, what the hell do I know, I picked 3-9 Houston to be the surprise team of the West.  Nice call, dumbass).  There is no denying that the Lakers remain a step above the competition west of the Mississippi.

It's always fun to see a team like the Hornets surprise the league.  But let's temper our expectations for them over the long run.

P.S.  Seriously, I cannot get over the Pau Gasol and David West match up.  Gasol would shred West in the post.  And fine, move over Okafor to guard Gasol.  You want David West guarding Lamar Odom or Andrew Bynum?  Only if you are a masochist.  There's just no way that the Hornets keep up with the Lakers.  Especially over a seven game season.  Now excuse me while I punch myself in the face for praising the Lakers this much.  I hate myself as much as you hate me.

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