After a 2006-07 campaign in which injuries contributed greatly to the Hornets falling three games shy of their goal of reaching the Western Conference playoffs, they enter training camp with a roster full of healthy players. They’ve added significant pieces to the mix, including free agent Morris Peterson – the team’s most proven shooting guard in years – and first-round draft pick Julian Wright. Now it’s time to prove that New Orleans is a postseason-caliber squad on the court.

Entering his third NBA season, point guard Chris Paul discussed the importance of the Hornets qualifying for the playoffs, his outlook for 2007-08, the additions of Peterson and Wright, how he spent his offseason and several other topics.

Hornets.com: What is the team trying to accomplish during this training camp?
Paul: I think getting everybody in synch. We acquired Morris Peterson, which I think was huge for us, to get a shooting guard who can not only score, but has a lot of size at 6-7. Then you have Peja coming back. I was kidding with him the other day that I haven’t played with him since November. I had an opportunity to get up and down (the court) with him a few days ago when we were playing pickup, so that was a lot of fun.

The other guys, you know what you’re going to get from them. You know what you’re getting from David West, Tyson (Chandler), (Jannero) Pargo and Hilton Armstrong. With Hilton, it’s unbelievable what he’s done between last season and now. I think he’s going to be a huge (difference). I think we have all the pieces of the puzzle to be successful.

Hornets.com: What has impressed you the most about Hilton so far?
Paul: You might have to be at practice every day (to understand it). Last year, Hilton at times was unsure of himself. He wouldn’t shoot a lot of jump shots (for example). Now when we play pickup, his shot looks great and he makes moves with confidence. I think it was just having one more year (of experience) and spending that offseason getting better.

Hornets.com: Do you have the mindset that this is a bona fide playoff team now, after the starters missed a combined 133 games last season?
Paul: Most definitely. I remember being at Media Day last year and saying that we only missed the playoffs by a couple games, and that we WANTED to make it (in 2006-07). [grins] But enough is enough. I’m not trying to say that this year.

I feel like (regardless of) injuries or no injuries, we’ve got to make the playoffs. I don’t care who it is, when Coach (Scott) puts five guys out there on the court, we’ve got to get there. I missed 18 games last season, and I think we went 8-10. God willing, we won’t have injuries like that again. If we can avoid injuries, I feel like the sky is the limit for our team.

Hornets.com: Do you feel like the team is due for a good run of health, especially after being so beat up last season with injuries?
Paul: Yeah, definitely. I think we have guys approaching things in different ways, maybe in the weight room or practices. But the one thing we’re not going to change is how hard we play. We are always going to give 110 percent. Hopefully nothing happens, but at the same time, we know what we have to do to win. I think we have everything that a team needs to have to win: a shooter, a shot-blocker, a rebounder, all of those tools.

Hornets.com: What parts of your game are you looking to improve upon this season?
Paul: I want to become stronger (physically) and become more consistent as a shooter. As the years go by, and I’ve been in the league two years, you start to learn where your shots are going to come from on the court. When you have guys like Peja and Mo Pete out there, that opens the court up for you. And with the confidence that Tyson has gained from playing for USA Basketball, teams are going to have to worry about him a lot more.

Hornets.com: With Tyson participating with the USA team, the Hornets now have two players who have done so recently. How much impact do you think that will make?
Paul: I think it’s huge. I was telling Tyson that when you play with a group of players who are that talented and you have ‘USA’ across your chest, I don’t care who you are, it’s going to change your swagger. You’re going to have a little bit more confidence about you, and when Tyson steps on the court now, he’s going to have a whole newfound confidence about him. It’s not cockiness; it’s a good swagger. That’s why I’m excited about seeing Tyson play now. I think he’s going to be a lot more comfortable with his (offensive) moves, and might take some shots that he didn’t take before.

Hornets.com: What was your reaction to the Morris Peterson signing?
Paul: I was excited, because I have watched Mo Pete with Toronto, and he lit us up about three times when we played against them. Knowing that we added another shooter (was a positive). I’ve known about Mo Pete since he was one of the Flintstones [Peterson was one of the Flint, Mich., natives who led Michigan State to the 2000 NCAA title]. I’ve gotten to know him better as a person and a player by playing with him over the past couple weeks. He’s a competitor, and that’s what we need. You always need good character guys and people who know how to win.

Hornets.com: What are your early impressions of Julian Wright?
Paul: Julian is young and athletic. He wants to play all day, and that’s a good thing. He goes hard. It’s going to be an adjustment, because playing pickup is one thing, but when you start getting out there in the offensive sets, you’ll really see.

Hornets.com: From what you’ve seen, do you think Julian can be in the rotation?
Paul: I definitely think he can be. I think when we get into training camp and he gets a chance to run the offense, it will be a lot more evident. A lot of times when you come from college, you go too fast. I know I did. Once you slow down and watch everything develop, you’ll be alright.

Hornets.com: Are you guys ready to run a lot during a Byron Scott training camp?
Paul: Oh yeah. We’ve been running a lot while playing pickup over the last two or three weeks. We tell all of the guys who are coming in, ‘If you don’t know anything about our camp, know this, you’re going to have to run a lot!’

Hornets.com: Do you feel 100 percent?
Paul: Yeah. But I still am doing some rehab, because at times my foot does feel a little sore.

Hornets.com: Was there anything positive that came out of the period of the offseason when you were forced off your feet due to the injury?
Paul: I was able to get a lot stronger, not bulkier, but stronger. And shooting-wise. Once the doctors told me I could put a shoe on, I was in the gym all day, every day shooting. I couldn’t run, but I could play one-on-one with a lot of my friends at Wake Forest. We played one-on-one where you could only take three dribbles, so that way I couldn’t run. I also am trying to eat a lot better. I never had one until this year, but I now have a (personal) chef. I’m trying to eat at the same time before practice every day and the same time for dinner.

Hornets.com: Is it possible to eat a lot of the local New Orleans cuisine and stay in shape?
Paul: [grins] Sure. But I’m going to eat (a lot)! I promise you that. [laughs]

Hornets.com: How much different was your summer in terms of your preparation after going through foot surgery?
Paul: This summer was different from any summer in my life because I didn’t get to play ball for three months. I couldn’t do anything during that time.

Hornets.com: What is your message to fans in New Orleans?
Paul: I tell them all the time to just come out and support us. There are still a lot of places I go to now where people ask me, ‘So how many games are you playing here this season?’ And I’m like, ‘We’re here full-time!’ [smiles] And you go to a lot of places and there is Saints stuff everywhere. I would like to see a Hornets banner just here or there! [laughs] But I try to let people know that the games are going to be fun and exciting. If you like basketball and you like an up-tempo style, that’s what we’re going to do night in and night out