TOP 10 PRESEASON OBSERVATIONS

1) LUCKY NUMBER 13
Julian Wright (a.k.a. Ju-Ju) looks about six inches taller than his listed 6-8 because of those knee high white socks. The youngest player on the roster (he turned 20 in May) looks far more advanced than expected. Although his shot has a long way to go he has so many all around skills (2nd in assists)that it’s easy to see him filling a role in Byron Scott’s rotation right off the bat. He’s a very outgoing, likeable guy whose personality fits right in with this team.

2) “FLOOR BURN” BOWEN
Although the Hornets media relations department can’t confirm this I have an unofficial total of 25 floor burns recorded for free agent forward Ryan Bowen, who spent more time sliding across basketball courts in October than Louisiana political candidates spent bashing each other. If the coach is looking for a player whose effort and blue collar ethic will show up off the bench each night then the former 55th overall pick (Denver, 1998) should stick on the roster.

3) TWO-SPORT STARS?
This is one of the most athletic Hornets teams in recent memory. How do I know? Well, look at all of the “two-sport” stars:

Chris Paul is a star point guard who is also a great bowler.

Trey Johnson was second in the nation in scoring last season at Jackson State and was also chosen by the Kansas City Royals in the 2002 major league baseball draft.

Ryan Bowen has played seven years in the NBA and also once had a tryout for the Cleveland Indians.

David West, who has led the Hornets in scoring in each of the last two seasons, also uses boxing drills to stay in shape during the off season.

Adam Haluska is not just one of the best shooters on the team, but was also a four-sport star in high school (track, baseball, basketball and football).

Julian Wright not only claims to be a standout bowler but also lists singing as his second best talent.

4) RE-NAME THEM THE GLOBETROTTERS
After playing home games in four different cities over the past two seasons following hurricane Katrina the Hornets continued that theme during this preseason where they played their first six games in different cities:

Oklahoma City, OK

Indianapolis, IN

Phoenix, AZ

New Orleans, LA

Biloxi, MS

Dallas, TX

Fortunately, the Hornets begin their regular season with back to back home games in the same city…New Orleans!

5) MISSING IN ACTION
The Hornets first five regular season opponents could all have rotation players out either by suspension or injury:

10/31 vs. Sacramento (Ron Artest, suspension)

11/2 vs. Portland (Greg Oden, injury)

11/4 @ Denver (J.R. Smith, suspension)

11/6 @ LA Lakers (Lamar Odom, injury)

11/7 @ Portland (Oden injury)

6) HILTON HONORS
Is there any player on the Hornets roster more improved from last season than second-year center Hilton Armstrong? Entering the final preseason game of October the 6-11 big man was tied with star point guard Chris Paul for points per game (12.3) and total points scored (86). He leads the team with 49 rebounds, 9 blocks, and free throw attempts (48). Byron Scott will use the former UConn standout as Tyson Chandler’s top backup this season.

7) PEJA POWER
Small forward Peja Stojakovic’s comeback from back surgery appears to be coming along well. With one preseason game remaining the sharpshooter led the Hornets with nine made three-pointers while going a perfect 7-for-7 from the charity stripe. He’s sixth on the team in minutes played (118) despite missing one game and most of another with muscle soreness.

8) SLO MO…SWELL MEL
Key free agent acquisition Mo Peterson has struggled in the preseason (10 x 40, .250) field goal percentage, (4 x 23, .174) three point percentage, and 4.9 points per game. Still adjusting to his new team, the former Toronto Raptor is fourth on the team in minutes played (starting six games) and fourth in made threes (4).

The team’s other key free agent pick up, 6-10 Melvin Ely, has had a much smoother transition to his new team. He’s third on the club in shooting (.632), going 12 x 19 in his first four games while averaging 8.3 points per game.

9) ALL-STAR CANDIDATES
With the 57th annual NBA All-Star Game coming to New Orleans on February 17th it’s apparent the Hornets will have at least two candidates for the Western Conference squad: Chris Paul and Tyson Chandler.

Paul is entering his third season after being chosen fourth overall in the 2005 draft. He has increased his production in each of his first two seasons and if the preseason is any indication he could be ready to make his first all-star team. He not only leads the team in scoring (12.3) and assists (6.1), he has handed out 43 of the team’s 121 assists. He also is tied for the team lead with 36 made free throws while sporting the best free throw percentage (.800).

Chandler, coming off his Team USA experience over the summer, leads the team in shooting (.692), and rebounds per game (7.6). Chandler is the leading returning Western Conference rebounder after Kevin Garnett’s trade to the Celtics this summer.

10) QUICK START CANDIDATES
After a sluggish preseason the Hornets could be primed for a quick start to the regular season beginning with Halloween night against Sacramento. The Kings are one of 10 teams the Hornets play in the October/November who did not participate in the playoffs a season ago. In addition, they only play two games in the first month against the league’s toughest division, the Southwest.