Checking in with Chris Paul: Unbeaten Edition
 NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 5: Chris Paul #3 of the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets shoots the ball over the Houston Rockets on November 5, 2006 at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Layne Murdoch/Getty Images/NBAE |
With a 96-90 verdict over the Houston Rockets in New Orleans, the Hornets improved to 3-0 for just the second time in franchise history Sunday. Hornets point guard Chris Paul continued his outstanding start to 2006-07, doling out a career-high-tying 16 assists.
Hornets.com chatted with CP3 in the Hornets’ locker room at New Orleans Arena, to find out his thoughts on the team’s hot start and to discuss a theoretical one-on-one basketball tournament between Byron Scott and the rest of the NBA’s head coaches.
Eichenhofer: A lot of people seemed concerned by the way the team looked in preseason, but so far things have gone pretty well in the regular season. What is your opinion of the progress the team is making from a chemistry standpoint and learning each other’s games?
Paul: I think when you bring in a bunch of new guys, at times chemistry can be a problem. But we brought in players who have been through all different types of situations and been on different teams. And the biggest thing is that they all know how to play, so that’s helped out a lot too.
Eichenhofer: On Wednesday at Boston, you seemed to get other players involved early in the game, but when the Hornets needed scoring, you became more aggressive in looking to for your shot. Is that something you are conscious of during games?
Paul: I’m always conscious of it. I’ve been that way since I was in college and high school. Whatever I have to do to help us win, that’s what I want to do.
Eichenhofer: What do you think about the depth of this team? Byron Scott always says that you want to play 48 minutes a game, but it seems like this team has so much more depth after watching the first couple games.
Paul: It was definitely exciting to watch our bench, especially in the fourth quarter of the Indiana game. I remember sitting out the first six or seven minutes of that quarter, and after seeing how those guys were playing, I almost wanted to tell Coach not to put me back in, to let them finish the game. It’s just exciting to see that there’s no (drop-off between the starters and reserves).
Eichenhofer: Is it possible that you’ll be able to play fewer minutes this year because of the additional depth?
Paul: I definitely think that’s possible. That will be a great thing for us. We want this to be a memorable season. Of course we want to take it one game at a time, but that might be something that will help us in the future.
Eichenhofer: How about a Hornets bowling update? Anyone picked up their games lately?
Paul: No, because we’ve been on the road! [grins] We haven’t really had a chance to play much lately.
Eichenhofer: During the Indiana broadcast of Friday’s game, the Pacers’ sideline reporter mentioned to you how rare it is to see a head coach, in this case Byron Scott, working out on the court in a cut-off T-shirt, allowing him to show off his biceps. Are there any NBA head coaches you would specifically recommend that they NOT wear cut-off shirts?
Paul: [laughs] Nah, nah… I don’t know too many of them well enough to say something like that.
Eichenhofer: You also mentioned on that telecast that if there was a one-on-one tournament among current NBA head coaches, Byron Scott would be the favorite…
Paul: Yeah, because he works out every day. I think he’s still capable of playing in the league.
Eichenhofer: If they did hold that one-on-one tournament, which head coaches would be his toughest competition?
Paul: I don’t know… maybe (Chicago’s) Scott Skiles. I heard (Atlanta’s) Mike Woodson plays a little bit, too.
Eichenhofer: What do you think about Wake Forest football? They are 8-1 now after beating Boston College on Saturday.
Paul: I'm excited. That was one of the biggest wins in school history yesterday. They should definitely be seeing a BCS bowl game.
