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2007-08 Season In Review: Morris Peterson
By: Jim Eichenhofer, Hornets.com

July 3, 2008
Hornets.com continues its look back at the 2007-08 season with player-by-player analysis of the team:

MORRIS PETERSON
NBA experience: Eight seasons (one with Hornets, seven with Raptors)

Age: 30

Games played (starts): 76 (76)

Key statistical averages: 8.0 points, 2.7 rebounds

This off-balance three-pointer over the 76ers’ Willie Green was one of six treys for Morris Peterson during the Hornets’ Nov. 14 victory.

What we expected: One of the reasons Peterson’s signing created optimism in New Orleans was that the Hornets had been trying to find a long-term solution at shooting guard in recent years. In the previous two seasons, they had rotated through several players at the spot, including J.R. Smith, Kirk Snyder, Rasual Butler and Devin Brown. Peterson was projected to provide an answer to the revolving door at the position, give the team another feared perimeter shooter and add a veteran presence to a relatively young starting lineup.

What happened: Statistically, Peterson’s numbers declined for a second straight year, but for several reasons, it’s misleading to judge his season based on that. He was the fifth option in the offense for the first time as a pro, leading to a career-low in scoring, and his average of 23.6 minutes was unusually low for a starter. He was often replaced on the floor during the fourth quarter by Jannero Pargo. However, the Michigan State product was the team’s second-best three-point shooter, at 39.4 percent, helping spread the floor and open up driving lanes for Chris Paul. He was also solid during the playoffs, shooting 49 percent from the floor and 47 percent from three-point range.

Best game: Peterson was lights-out from the field in New Orleans’ home victory over Philadelphia on Nov. 14, scoring a season-high 27 points. He drained six three-pointers in nine attempts, was perfect on seven tries from the foul line and also grabbed six rebounds.

Offseason projects: Byron Scott asked Peterson to spend time honing his ballhandling skills this summer. The Hornets would like his fellow starting guard, Paul, to receive more help in bringing the ball up the floor. “The biggest thing I told Mo (to work on is) his ballhandling,” Scott said. “Since he wasn’t used to handling the ball as much, we had to just give it to CP most of the time.” Scott also believes that Peterson’s familiarity with the team’s version of the Princeton offense will be beneficial. Scott: “His knowledge of the offense will make him better next year.”

The future: Signed as an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2007, the 6-foot-7 shooting guard is under contract with New Orleans for three more years, a period that runs through the 2010-11 season. He is the incumbent and favorite to retain the starting shooting guard spot, though Scott has said that there will be an open competition for the role during training camp.