Areas of strength:
Shooting guard Eric Gordon is certainly the kind of puzzle piece that you can build around and that was the idea in holding out to get him in the controversial Chris Paul trade. He's a free agent who could have much more of an inclination to stay in the Big Easy now that the Hornets have won the draft lottery and will take do-it-all Anthony Davis with the No. 1 pick and get another bump with the No. 10 pick.

Needs work:
In two seasons coach Monty Williams has the Hornets thinking and working hard on defense. Now he's got to bring the offense out of the Dark Ages and that begins with picking up the tempo and running. New Orleans ranked last in the league in pace of play last season. They also ranked at the very bottom in 3-pointers attempted and made.

Two stats that matter:
29 -- That's where the Hornets ranked in shots attempted. They simply don't take enough.

11 -- Home wins last season. The Hive is buzzing with interest and it's time the Hornets developed a sting.

The way to go:
Draft night was made considerably when the Hornets won the No. 1 pick in the draft and will certainly take Kentucky power forward Anthony Davis, who can impact the game at both ends of the floor. If they don't feel confident about re-signing Gordon, shooting guard Austin Rivers is a possibility at No. 10. If they keep Gordon, North Carolina point guard Kendall Marshall would be a solid pick to run the offense.

2011-12 team stats:
Offensive: 98.3 (26th)
Defensive: 102.3 (16th)

Under contract:
C: Emeka Okafor
G: Jarrett Jack
G: Xavier Henry
G: Greivis Vasquez
F: Al-Farouq Aminu
F: Jason Smith
F: Gustavo Ayon
F: Trevor Ariza


Free agents:
Eric Gordon (restricted)
Chris Kaman (unrestricted)
Carl Landry (unrestricted)
Marco Belinelli (unrestricted)
DeJuan Summers (unrestricted)

Recent Draft History:
2011: Josh Harrellson (45)
2010: Cole Aldrich (11)
2009: Darreb Collison (21)
2008: Darrell Arthur (27)
2007: Julian Wright (13), Adam Haluska (43)
2006: Hilton Armstrong (12), Cedric Simmons (15), Marcus Vincius (43)

-- Fran Blinebury