December 11, 2007

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so we’re making no bones about this: We blatantly stole the idea for “Hornets Fact or Fiction” from ESPN. Since the fine folks at The Worldwide Leader in Sports were the originators of this fact/fiction concept, what better person to interview for the second 2007-08 edition of “Hornets Fact or Fiction” than ESPN: The Magazine writer Chris Palmer?

Hornets.com caught up with Palmer to find out how he separates truth from falsehood regarding the 2007-08 New Orleans Hornets. Palmer visited the Big Easy to interview Chris Paul and team personnel for an upcoming article that will appear in the magazine about the 6-foot point guard’s tremendous third NBA season.

Hornets.com: Thanks for taking a few minutes to discuss the Hornets with us, Chris. I know you’re familiar with “Fact or Fiction” from your ESPN background, so let’s get started. Fact or fiction: Chris Paul will be an All-Star in February…
Palmer: That’s definitely a fact. There have been four- and five-game stretches already where he’s been the best point guard in the league. The averages he’s putting up, of 19 (points), 10 (assists) and five (rebounds), I think there is no way you deny him a spot in the game. Even if it comes down to him and Deron Williams, you still have to go with Chris Paul.

Hornets.com: Within two years, you will see as many Chris Paul jerseys in New Orleans as Reggie Bush jerseys…
Palmer: Fact. That’s a fact because Chris Paul is the type of guy who appeals to all fans. Little kids love him because he’s small, adults love him because he’s a good role model. I think if the Hornets continue to win and make it deep into the playoffs, you’ll see that happen. The key is getting into the playoffs, because the more visibility the Hornets have, the more Chris Paul jerseys you’re going to see.

Hornets.com: The Hornets have a chance to be a top-four seed in the Western Conference…
Palmer: Fact. They have the third-best record in the West right now. You never know what can happen with injuries and the streakiness of some of the other teams, but with the way they’re playing, I definitely think they’re going to be a four seed in the West.

Hornets.com: The Hornets were the most overlooked quality team in the NBA this offseason…
Palmer: Fact, because nobody talked about the Hornets at all. Peja Stojakovic is one of the most overlooked players in the league. Tyson Chandler is one of the most overlooked rebounders, even though the guy has been unstoppable on the boards. Even this season, when the Hornets have the third-best record in the West, nobody (around the NBA) is talking about them. It’s all Celtics, Magic and Spurs. If the Hornets were in the East, they’d probably have the second-best record.

Hornets.com: I realize that you talk to a lot of people around the NBA. After five years in Chicago, the league is surprised by Tyson Chandler’s career turnaround with the Hornets over the last two seasons…
Palmer: I would say that’s fiction. In Chicago, when he first got there, they didn’t know what type of player he was going to be. They didn’t know if he was going to be a Kevin Garnett-type (scorer and rebounder).

After about 50 games of his rookie season, they realized that he wasn’t going to be the focus of the offense, and that Eddy Curry was. They realized that he was going to be a Ben Wallace-type guy and he established that role in Chicago. Now that he’s doing it here, I don’t think it’s that much of a surprise. It’s become what he’s known for and the niche that he’s carved for himself.

Hornets.com: Despite limited playing time early in his rookie season, Julian Wright will figure prominently in the team’s fortunes this season…
Palmer: Fiction, only because it’s so hard for a young player like that to change the course of a season as it progresses. Plus, they’ve got quite a few veteran guys here – it’s kind of a mix of youth and veterans. There are guys like Peja, David West and Bobby Jackson who have a lot of experience, so it’s going to be tough for Julian to be a key role guy. I think he’s going to learn from these guys, though.

The (Dec. 7) Memphis game was a great example of Julian’s (potential). He showed flashes of what he is capable of doing.

Hornets.com: Among all of the well-known 1980s basketball stars who went on to become NBA head coaches – a list that includes Byron Scott, Isiah Thomas, Magic Johnson, Doc Rivers, Mo Cheeks, Larry Bird and Danny Ainge – Scott has accomplished more on the sideline than any of them…
Palmer: It’s fact because of what Byron Scott did in New Jersey, when he was part of them making the NBA Finals two years in a row. He’s also done a good job here. Byron is a guy who can coach basketball and knows what he’s talking about. Look at how the Hornets have jumped out this season, as well. They were an overlooked team coming in, and look at how they’re playing. Byron Scott has a track record of doing an excellent job, especially with point guard-led teams.

Hornets.com: At least 50 percent of the items on the expense report Chris Palmer files with ESPN from your trip to New Orleans will be a result of time spent in Bourbon Street establishments…
Palmer: [laughs] Normally that would be fact, but this time it’s fiction, because this has been a business trip. You can even ask Chris Paul if you want – he’ll back me up on that one. [grins] This has been a serious work trip, but I’m not even sweating it, because I know that the All-Star Game is going to be here in February, and that’s when I’m going to really do it up big! [laughs]